Collaros released and apparently signed with Hamilton

[Will]

We all knew the risks when he was released. As a free agent, I don't know what Barker could've done to prevent him from going to Hamilton.

[ArgoGabe22]

I thought a move to WPG was more likely. I'm still not sold on ZC and isn't HAM a pass heavy team that used LaFavour for the option? I don't see how HAM will do any better with Collaros, perhaps even worse. At least it'll make the rivalry more interesting. If he moved to TOR from HAM, he wouldn't hear the end of it from fans like O'Shea but with him leaving the Argos, no one will really care.

[matthew]

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=442555

Not the team I was expecting to get him. Do they really need 3 young qb's. Burris looking for work I'd say.

[AngeloV]

Although I hate to see ZC go...especially to the Cats, I think this bodes well for the Argos this season. Burris really did a number on the Argos in 2013 and IMO the main reason the Argos failed to go to the Grey Cup was that they had no answer for Burris. I believe Collaros has a very bright future in the league, but I don't think the Cats scare me as much with him as they do with Burris.

[Rich]

It takes a brave and visionary front office to replace a great but aging QB with a green but exceptional talent.

The Packers did it with Aaron Rodgers.

The Colts did it with Andrew Luck.

And now the TiCats have done it with Collaros.

Even though Henry Burris badly outplayed Ricky Ray in the EF and took his team to the Grey Cup, Kent Austin had the wisdom and the guts to know that it's better to have a long-term commitment to excellence than it is to have stop-gap short-term success. And the Cats may even suffer in comparison next season, just as the Colts would have been a better team with Manning at the helm this year. But brave and visionary GMs think about the future.

So tell me ArgoFans, who's got a better chance now to have great quarterbacking in 5 years time, the Argos or the TiCats? Any reasonable person will say Hamilton does. We had a chance here to build something long-term with a QB we've developed on our own. But, sadly, there's no guts or vision in the front office. After Ricky's gone, get ready for many more years of the CleoLemon/Cody Pickett-type revolving door at QB, while Hamilton now has a chance for a Calvillo-like run at QB.

I hope you're all happy now.

[Antwon]

I completely agree with you on Austin making the gutsy call with Collaros.
But disagree with the rest.
Who's to say the Argos don't have more talent on the depth chart. They seem to be more patient with the young guns.
So now it's up to Harris to show he's ready after 2 years.
Also if Collaros signed a 3 year deal and plays lights out...he'll want to try the NFL at that point.

[hugoagogo]

All three of the Argo QB's looked good under the offense you ran last year, so it will be interesting to see how well Zach does in a different environment. I like Collaros' style and think he has the potential to be a good one. I think from a development standpoint, he's better off in Hamilton versus Winnipeg.

[Rich]

Who's to say the Argos don't have more talent on the depth chart. They seem to be more patient with the young guns.
So now it's up to Harris to show he's ready after 2 years.

True, there's no way to predict the future, but at this point only a fool would say that Harris has more potential than Collaros.

[AngeloV]

It takes a brave and visionary front office to replace a great but aging QB with a green but exceptional talent.

The Packers did it with Aaron Rodgers.

The Colts did it with Andrew Luck.

And just like the Argos did with Ricky Foggie...on 2nd thought, nevermind.

[Ron]

And just like the Argos did with Ricky Foggie...on 2nd thought, nevermind.

LOL!!

And Foggie looked darned good in relief during those years before he got the starters job.

[ArgoRavi]

Although I hate to see ZC go...especially to the Cats, I think this bodes well for the Argos this season. Burris really did a number on the Argos in 2013 and IMO the main reason the Argos failed to go to the Grey Cup was that they had no answer for Burris. I believe Collaros has a very bright future in the league, but I don't think the Cats scare me as much with him as they do with Burris.

You make a good point, AV. Burris had some problems with inconsistency this past season but when he is on his game as he was in the East Final, he is as good as anyone.

[OV Argo]

True, there's no way to predict the future, but at this point only a fool would say that Harris has more potential than Collaros.

Wow - you sure are high on Collaros there Rich; I'd agree he has shown some very good talent in his CFL playing time (= less than a full season of starts), but I'm not ready to annoint him another Doug Flutie or Russ Jackson yet; we shall see after this year, and we'll see if he is even the clear-cut starter in Hamilton (IMO LeFevour could be as good or better and has CFL roster experience/some playing time too, plus was on an NFL roster before). I do agree with Hamilton/Austin in going out and signing this young gun and packing it in with old and iffy Blank Burris ("led" the Ticats to the GC my arse - more like a pathetic chump change game from both the Argo D and O in the 2nd half of the East final handed the Ticats that GC trip); the Ticats now have a trio of young QBs - 2 who have some CFL playing experience where they have looked quite good at times.

And why do you want to write off Harris? - he's looked good in some playing time but hasn't got the opportunity that Collaros has so far; he has as good or better a college ball resume IMO; we shall see on him too (though he may not play much or at all for a couple of seasons if Ray stays healthy); but I'd bet he will do quite OK if he gets thrust into game action as Collaros did.

[ArgoGabe22]

No one can predict the future so I won't go into the "Zach was the future" debate. I'll just sit back and watch the Colts win the Super Bowl on Sunday.

[argotom]

This kid is not green, after last year I would call him seasoned.
Anyway he has that special intangible and in a small way the Flutie touch of making something out of nothing and winning.
I hope this does not turn out to be a big mistake?

[paulwoods13]

It takes a brave and visionary front office to replace a great but aging QB with a green but exceptional talent.

The Packers did it with Aaron Rodgers.

The Colts did it with Andrew Luck.

And now the TiCats have done it with Collaros.

So tell me ArgoFans, who's got a better chance now to have great quarterbacking in 5 years time, the Argos or the TiCats? Any reasonable person will say Hamilton does. We had a chance here to build something long-term with a QB we've developed on our own. But, sadly, there's no guts or vision in the front office. After Ricky's gone, get ready for many more years of the CleoLemon/Cody Pickett-type revolving door at QB, while Hamilton now has a chance for a Calvillo-like run at QB.

I hope you're all happy now.

So it's a given that ZC will be as good a replacement QB in the CFL as Rodgers and Luck are in the NFL? I think the jury's still out on that. He is talented, but only time will tell if he's closer to being the next Anthony Calvillo or the next Steven Jyles.

As for which team will have better quarterbacking in five years, I note that Collaros signed a three-year deal. He could be coming into free agency right around the time Ricky Ray is ready to retire or move into a mentoring role. If he's as great as you think he is, why would he reup with Hamilton before testing the free agent waters?

[ArgoGabe22]

Looks like ZC got starter's money with 300K per season. Durant gets paid 325k.

[ArgoRavi]

Looks like ZC got starter's money with 300K per season. Durant gets paid 325k.

CHCH-TV reported that it is $250k per season but, regardless, there is no way that the Argos could have afforded to keep him.

[argotom]

CHCH-TV reported that it is $250k per season but, regardless, there is no way that the Argos could have afforded to keep him.

With trading Ricky we would have and likely received a player and a draft choice.
Now we get nada, on top of which this could have major ramifications for years to come.

[Argo57]

Although I hate to see ZC go...especially to the Cats, I think this bodes well for the Argos this season. Burris really did a number on the Argos in 2013 and IMO the main reason the Argos failed to go to the Grey Cup was that they had no answer for Burris. I believe Collaros has a very bright future in the league, but I don't think the Cats scare me as much with him as they do with Burris.

Not surprised at all with how this has all played out.
My sources are telling me that Collaros is in Hamilton having most of his teeth extracted for the upcoming press conference.

[Argo57]

With trading Ricky we would have and likely received a player and a draft choice.
Now we get nada, on top of which this could have major ramifications for years to come.

Or the Argos trade their perennial all-star QB for a bunch of unknowns, keep Collaros who doesn't pan out as the starter and we are the laughing stock of the CFL.