Winning Winnipeg Blue Bombers: Mid-season report
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Going into 2021 no one knew what to expect from the Canadian Football League or if it even had a sustainable future. The 2020 season was set to be season 63 of the CFL before it was ultimately canceled due to the league’s inability to obtain loans and subsidies from the federal government during the pandemic. These costs would have covered operations and compensated the franchises for playing behind closed doors without fans in seats.
The United Football Players Association even hinted at the league canceling its 2021-22 season which the CFL came out and adamantly denied.
It has gotten so crazy that both the CFL and XFL engaged in serious discussions to form a partnership or merger league in an attempt to save and reinvent the businesses. These talks never materialized into anything ground-breaking as both parties agreed to move on separately.
Eventually, the 2021 season would formalize returning on Aug. 5. The season features a shortened 14-game schedule, with the Grey Cup being re-schedule to Dec. 12, in Hamilton, Ontario.
Knowing all the obstacles and complications this CFL season would produce no one expected a clear-cut favourite to win the Grey Cup at the season’s midway point, but the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are currently that team. Yes, the Bombers won the 2019 Cup in a lopsided victory over the Tiger-Cats 33-12, but that was two years ago and things change. The CFL even had them ranked No.3 going into the season questioning their quarterback.
What has changed is starting QB Zach Collaros’ level of play. The Bombers sit atop the league with a 6-1 record including a perfect 4-0 at home, well-positioned for the second half of the season. In that 2019 championship game, Collaros threw the ball just 23 times. This season in seven games he has thrown the ball 23 times or less only once. His season-high for pass attempts is 40 which took place Aug.13 against Toronto.
Collaros always showed this sort of potential that can excite front offices but was never able to stick with a team, leading to numerous trades and changes of scenery. In 2012, the Ohio native signed with the Toronto Argonauts after being released by the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the next few years, he went on to play for the Tiger-Cats, Rough Riders back to the Argonauts and that same season would be traded again, this time to Winnipeg. This season he would win the Grey Cup as the starting QB.
Zach Collaros is battle-tested so maybe it should come as no surprise that he is thriving in yet another unusual situation with some uncertainties. He is backed up by the league’s No. 1 defense, allowing just 98 points in seven games. To show his appreciation, Winnipeg leads the CFL in points off turnovers with 50.
Defense wins championships and Winnipeg’s defense has been unreal, recently managing to score two times off turnovers in their last game. Rookie cornerback DeAundre Alford had two interceptions including a pick-six, leading to high praise from running back Andrew Harris.
“I think this is the best defense in the CFL and that we put everybody on notice that we are going to play fast and physical,” he said. “That we are going to do whatever it takes to win.”
Zach Collaros is one of two QB’s to start every meaningful snap along with Vernon Adams Jr, showing why he is the most valuable piece to this championship roster. Like his team’s defense, his offense has also put everyone on notice including famous hip-hop mogul Meek Mill. Meek has even celebrated a Bombers touchdown on social media.
Collaros leads the league in passing yards, completions, and touchdowns. These stats along with his team’s 6-1 record make him a favourite for league MVP and is an indication that it is time he finally gets the recognition he deserves. The Bombers will look to continue this momentum into the second half of the season.
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