THROWIN’ ELBOWS WITH BRENDAN MCGUIRE

1. REILLY RETIRES: When he was on, he was REALLY ON! I would even put Michael Reilly in the same class as any CFL quarterback who ever got a real shot at the NFL. The only thing that killed Michael was how he was a late bloomer who didn’t hit his stride until the age of 28. That, more than anything, set him up to succeed. It’s a reminder that it’s okay to hold a clipboard and sit on the bench for a while (Reilly did it for two and a half years in BC) before getting tossed into the fire. His career was very reminiscent of the great Kent Austin who, like Reilly, didn’t have a long career but had a great career. Both should be in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame one day.  

2. RANKING CFL QUARTERBACKS: In this order: Zach Collaros (WPG), Cody Fajardo (SSK), Bo Levi Mitchell (CGY), Nathan Rourke (BC), McLeod Bethel-Thompson (TOR), Vernon Adams (MTL), Dane Evans (HAM), Caleb Evans (OTT) and Taylor Cornelius (EDM). Fajardo ahead of Bo could change if Bo magically regains his 2018 status and shakes the injury bug for the first time in four years. Rourke is the wild card of this bunch. Unproven and untested but has enormous upside.

3. CHRIS JONES-DURON CARTER REUNION: Would make for some great theatre in Edmonton and give the CFL something to talk about. I’m all for it but have a hard time believing the soon-to-be-31-year-old Carter will be conditioned well enough to help anyone. If his work ethic wasn’t good enough to keep him on the field in his twenties, what makes any of us think it will be good enough to get him back on the field in his thirties? It kind of smacks of Chris Jones pursuing Vince Young and giving Terrell Owens a tryout, doesn’t it?

4. ONE YEAR CONTRACTS: In the ESPN made film MOON, FLUTIE, GARCIA, Wally Buono and Jeff Garcia laugh about the Stamps offering the rookie QB a two year-plus-option contract only to have Jeff sign the first year and send the last two years back unsigned. Jeff was thinking one-and-done before trying the NFL again. Wally told Garcia that if he wanted the CFL to invest in him, he would have to return the favour. Garcia signed and the rest is history. The CFL put value in itself and the player did the same. Last week, Rider receiver Shaq Evans admitted a minimum two-year contract wouldn’t be out of line even for players in their early 20’s who still have NFL aspirations. Time to quit pandering to the NFL. This isn’t a farm league we’re running up here.

5. NEW REGINA ARENA: I like it right where it is and if they can dig down deep enough to build a 10-thousand seat arena where they are, then I say DOOO IT. If they can’t, what about a baseball park/hockey arena complex on the railyard? Sounds so crazy it just might work. 

6. BLUE BOMBER LIFE AFTER HARRIS: Sounds like Andrew Harris’s asking price might be too rich for Winnipeg to re-up with their soon-to-be-35-year-old running back. Would be a loss to the Blue Bombers for sure. But let’s get one thing clear: Andrew Harris is not the most important player Winnipeg has. That would be Willie Jefferson, hands down! 

7. THIS WEEK I’M JEALOUS OF:  Zach Collaros. By getting his $550,000 salary, the highest any CFL player will earn in 2022 per 3DownNation insider Justin Dunk, Zach has not only vindicated former coaches Kent Austin and Chris Jones as well his current head coach Michael O’Shea for putting so much faith in him but he really stuck it to June Jones who once upon a time chose Jeremiah Masoli over Zach. To be fair, Jones did a good job in turning the Cats around and Zach probably wasn’t the same guy back then while he battled injuries that nearly derailed his career. But still, it has to feel like a serious redemption to stick it to all of the doubters he had, including those in Riderville. 

8. AARON RODGERS: I’d still be happy if my Denver Broncos picked him up. That’s how pathetic my Broncos and their quarterbacking situation have become.

9. NFL PLAYOFFS: I still feel like crying for Josh Allen and all of Bills Mafia everywhere. Now just watch Kansas City win the super bowl! It truly feels like Buffalo and its sports fans are cursed something worse than Rider fans ever were.

10. NFL COACHING SEARCH: Other than Chiefs offensive play-caller Eric Bieniemy, I see absolutely no-one worth getting excited about. If you’re wondering why the league’s failure to hire black head coaches is so appalling to some of us, this is a perfect example why.