It comes as no surprise Zach led pack in Florida
Robservations ...
By all accounts, quarterback Zach Collaros was the best player at the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ recent mini-camp in Bradenton, Fla.
Before you order Grey Cup tickets, keep in mind there was every reason for Collaros — by far the most experienced player at the two-day camp — to stand out. He wasn’t facing a pass rush, nor was he operating against proven defensive backs. It was a given he would excel under such favourable conditions.
Roughriders head coach, general manager and vice-president of football operations Chris Jones continues to insist there is a competition for the starting quarterback’s job. It is the right thing to say, considering Brandon Bridge is also part of the Roughriders’ quarterbacking equation, but the inescapable reality of the situation is that Collaros is not being paid $430,000 to serve as a backup.
Bridge is an intriguing prospect, but Collaros is on a different plane developmentally and in terms of remuneration.
If the Roughriders’ brass cannot upgrade the offensive line, which is still a question mark, it will not matter who is playing quarterback. It is imperative the Roughriders find a reliable left tackle, along with someone who can replace the recently released Peter Dyakowski at right guard. Offensive line aside, the Green and White do not appear to have a major weakness.
NHL officiating hasn’t been this bad since, er, last year. Too many obvious penalties are either missed or ignored. The standard of enforcement should not change once the playoffs arrive, but the referees typically become more lenient — with the actual or tacit approval of their bag-over-head supervisors — at this time of year.
It is fashionable to dump on Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Jake Gardiner, who was minus-5 on Wednesday in a season-ending, 7-4 NHL playoff loss to the host Boston Bruins. Gardiner had a nightmarish night, to be certain, but the criticism should be directed toward the Leafs’ well-compensated hockey-operations staff for not fortifying the team’s blue line leading up to the trade deadline.
The Stanley Cup playoffs’ best matchup will take place in Round 2, in which the Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets — the NHL’s top two regular-season finishers — will collide. Nashville will prevail in seven games, with goaltender Pekka Rinne being the difference. I guarantee it.
Profuse thanks to Estevan Bruins goaltender Bo Didur, who earlier this week granted me one of the most entertaining interviews in my 98-year career. Didur is now a member of my personal goaltending hall of fame, along with Ed Staniowski, Bernie Parent, Gerry Cheevers, Glenn (Chico) Resch, Tim Winters, Mike Risdale, Bernie Germain, Connor Hellebuyck and Father Vaughan Quinn.
Quinn, formerly of the Flying Fathers, was the featured attraction at the Agridome (now Brandt Centre) in 1988. For one of his gags, he tended goal with a bucket over his head. (That approach has since been emulated by those who play goal for the Philadelphia Flyers.)
It is a springtime evening in Wascana Centre and, ahhhhh, there is the unmistakable pong of marijuana. And, alas, it will only get worse when pot is legalized.
And can something be done about the loud, oversized vehicles that speed through Wascana on an otherwise tranquil spring evening?
Three acronyms that can destroy a sportscast: (1) MLS; (2) CONCACAF; (3) TFC.
No self-serving column would be complete without mentioning the Christmas Cheer Fund sports memorabilia sale, which is slated for Sunday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Conexus Arts Centre, Jacqui Shumiatcher Room). Donations of memorabilia are still being accepted (please call me at 306-781-5216, or email me at the address below).
Saturday’s self-serving column will focus on the most interesting items that will be on sale Sunday. Roll credits ...
Nice people who deserve a plug: G. Helen Vanstone-Mather (a.k.a. Mom), Dr. Patricia Van Parys, Kelly Peterson, Landon Kosior, Darren Cameron, Dr. Kobus de Witt, Don Bonk, Jordan Bonk, Ken Murphy, Weston Dressler, Cooper Dressler, Clare Manz, Catherine Metcalfe, Bo Didur, Kevin Koop, Al King, Darryl McCallum, Nigel Inglis, Carla Dorwart, Glen Duck, Anhelita Ihnativ, Rose Brito, Maren Duncan, Gord Berg, Pat Milne, Jack McNeill, Dolores Porter, Barrie Cubbon, Ken Hart, Marjorie
Hart and Marshall Desjardins.