Rookie Canadian QB O’Connor poised to take first snap in CFL

[paulwoods13]

Not a fan of Nichols? I guess all I am saying is if O'Shea is a Nichols booster, it could happen.

Definitely not a fan. He's bland and IMO usually plays to avoid mistakes rather than aggressively. it shouldn't come as any surprise to anyone who's read my recent posts that I'd far rather have MBT than Nichols as our starting QB.

[Argo57]

Definitely not a fan. He's bland and IMO usually plays to avoid mistakes rather than aggressively. it shouldn't come as any surprise to anyone who's read my recent posts that I'd far rather have MBT than Nichols as our starting QB.

I’m of the same mind Paul, even the thought of pinning our hopes on Collaros in 2020 doesn’t thrill me at all either (way to much risk with his health).

[paulwoods13]

Evans is under contract for 2 more years. If he continues to play well and get them to the Grey Cup, win or lose, how do you sign Masoli to a big contract and tell Evans to be #2? Makes sense to commit to Evans who they have brought along over the last few years. With his lower salary it would allow them to spend elsewhere and be a contender again next year.

Yes, except do you really want to let Masoli drive down the QEW to your arch-rivals? I'd be looking for a way to keep both assets if I were them. (And of course the jury is still out on whether Evans can lead them to the Grey Cup. As stacked as they are, I could see them losing the EF to Vernon Adams et al.)

[lazycro]

We've seen what happens when teams hitch themselves to semi-proven QB talent after a short stint of success.....

[Rich]

I also like Collaros, and expect the Argos to sign him, but IMO it's a big stretch to make him the opening-day starter given his many injury woes in recent seasons. Counting on him as "the man" for a full season seems like a risky proposition.

If you really believe that MBT is capable of being a full-time starter, then signing Collaros ought to be a risk-free proposition. He would certainly cost a lot less than Masoli.

[paulwoods13]

If you really believe that MBT is capable of being a full-time starter, then signing Collaros ought to be a risk-free proposition. He would certainly cost a lot less than Masoli.

I agree, and that is actually my preferred scenario -- give MBT decent starter's money (but nowhere close to BML-Reilly money, say $270k plus $90k in incentives for playing time), sign Collaros to decent backup money (say $180k + $90k in incentives that would offset if ZC plays instead of MBT). And upgrade O'Connor's pay (especially in the third year of his contract) as a show of faith for where we expect him to be in 2 years. Could we get MBT for max of $360k? I would hope so, but not ruling out Wpg or Ott outbidding. And TBH I don't think Argos will push hard (if at all) to bring him back next year, even though IMO they absolutely should. What we cannot do is put all our eggs in an uncertain basket (e.g. Masoli). We tried that this year with BLM and in the end he declined a more generous deal from us than he got in Calgary.

[ArgoZ]

^

I was really surprised how the Bo scenario unfolded. I can’t recall any QB turning down more money (league highest at that, according to the Argos) to play elsewhere. Massoli’s situation is different. The team he would be joining is down the road, not across the country. Pinball and (hopefully) O’Shea would offer quite the sales pitch I’d imagine. And once again, I would be shocked if Massoli signs for less money to battle out a starters job in Hamilton, should Evans lead them to a Cup.

[ArgoRavi]

Definitely not a fan. He's bland and IMO usually plays to avoid mistakes rather than aggressively. it shouldn't come as any surprise to anyone who's read my recent posts that I'd far rather have MBT than Nichols as our starting QB.

You and me both, Paul.

[Rich]

I liked when O’Connor said it took him about half a season to figure out how things worked, and that he felt “ready to go” by about week 10. Well giddy up. I really liked what I saw at Varsity, and I’m pumped to watch him play again.

So let’s say O’Connor plays well. He doesn’t have to to light it up, just a couple of solid, steady, TD or two, no-pick wins. How would that change the 2020 QB equation? Could it elevate him to the #2 spot?

[paulwoods13]

I liked when O’Connor said it took him about half a season to figure out how things worked, and that he felt “ready to go” by about week 10. Well giddy up. I really liked what I saw at Varsity, and I’m pumped to watch him play again.

So let’s say O’Connor plays well. He doesn’t have to to light it up, just a couple of solid, steady, TD or two, no-pick wins. How would that change the 2020 QB equation? Could it elevate him to the #2 spot?

I would love to see O'Connor develop into the eventual starter. A move to No. 2 next season would signal faster development than I expected. It's conceivable but I would still think being no. 3/2a next year is more likely. I hope the org does not feel pressured to accelerate him too quickly for marketing reasons, but let's him develop at the proper pace so he's ready when the time comes to start. Which could be by Year 3.

[Ron]

Until a better starter is found (and I've yet to hear where one will be found, apart from the possibility of signing Masoli), I would caution against assuming the starter we have will be discarded before next season. MBT obviously has some strikes against him, including lack of support from many (but obviously not all) fans and the fact the team has not won a lot of games with him (or anyone else) at the helm. But better QBs don't exactly grow on trees.

Better QB's can also look bad when their O-Lines are porous. Ask Mike Reilly for most of this season.

[Ron]

I'd like to see Prukop or even better O'Connor start. The season is over, and although I don't think MBT is that bad, he has no future in Argo land as a starter. Better try your unknowns. What? Are the Argos afraid of having a bad season...lol...Already done.

Prukop would be awesome. He was so inspiring the last time he got a shot.

[Neely2005]

Good lord, that is a scary proposition.

Nowhere near as scary as MBT as our starter.

[paulwoods13]

Nowhere near as scary as MBT as our starter.

Obviously we have a different view of their capabilities.

[argolio]

You and me both, Paul.

I think you guys are shortchanging Nichols a bit. Maybe he will never deserve to be on the Bombers Wall of Fame like superstar DB TJ Heath, but that's a better team with Nichols starting.

[ArgoRavi]

I think you guys are shortchanging Nichols a bit. Maybe he will never deserve to be on the Bombers Wall of Fame like superstar DB TJ Heath, but that's a better team with Nichols starting.

I don't disagree but he can stay in Winnipeg.

[Argo57]

I think you guys are shortchanging Nichols a bit. Maybe he will never deserve to be on the Bombers Wall of Fame like superstar DB TJ Heath, but that's a better team with Nichols starting.

Streveler isn’t very good at all IMO so yes Winnipeg is better with Nichols, having said that I’m not big on Nichols at all.

[Neely2005]

Obviously we have a different view of their capabilities.

Obviously. No way is MBT a legitimate CFL starter.

[Neely2005]

So when is O'Connor going in?

[Antwon]

So when is O'Connor going in?

Chamblin played for the win tonight. Now there's no reason for the 31 year old MBT to play a down in the next two games.