Meticulous preparation has Collaros eyeing big day
HAMILTON – Just a few days before the Tiger-Cats’ biggest game of the season – a win or go home against the Edmonton Eskimos – Zach Collaros is calm, cool and collected as he prepares to lead the Tabbies’ charge in the Eastern Semi-Final.
The quarterback’s preparation for the matchup against the reigning Grey Cup Champions includes meticulously running through each play over, and over in his mind, trying to think of every possible outcome that could occur in the contest.
“I try to visualize every play we have and the various coverages (Edmonton) will run. (I also think about) what they can do to make something go wrong and what our adjustment would be or where I should go with the football,” Collaros said of getting ready for the game. “And I make sure all of those thoughts are positive thoughts. You never want to let a negative thought creep in because that’s usually when bad things happen, when you doubt something.”
Perhaps all of that commitment, dedication and composure is why the 28-year-old is so integral to not only the Tiger-Cats’ offence, but the team as a whole.
“He’s the kind of guy that’s able to extend plays,” offensive lineman Mike Filer said of his quarterback. “When you think that the defence might have you pinned or have you on a block, he’s scheming and he’s able to extend and make a big play out of it.
“He understands the offence better than anyone on this team. He’s in there at the crack of dawn and leaves at night. He has a good understanding of what we’re doing, what everybody’s doing, not just at the quarterback position or receiver position but how we’re (the offensive line) blocking up front. He’s tuned in and he’s just ready to go so he’s a big asset to us.”
It will be Collaros’ first playoff game in almost two years when he takes his first snap on Sunday afternoon at Tim Hortons Field. Last season, the star pivot was sidelined with an ACL injury in September and missed both the Eastern Semi-Final against the Toronto Argonauts and the Eastern Final against the Ottawa REDBLACKS.
The 6-foot, 222-pounder also missed time at the start of this year’s campaign recovering from surgery to repair that ACL injury and he also sat on the sidelines just a few weeks ago as he underwent concussion protocol.
“It was very hard sitting out during the regular season games, let alone the post-season last season,” Collaros said of missing time with injuries. “I’m really grateful for the opportunity and I cherish every moment that we’re out there on the field, practice or game.”
But now, he’s healthy and ready to run the show.
If Week 20’s small sample of Collaros taking the reins is any indication of how he’s feeling going into the playoffs, the Tiger-Cats should be feeling pretty good about their chances against the Eskimos.
In just a single quarter – before he was subbed out for Jeff Mathews – Collaros threw for 134 yards, completing eight of his 12 passes. He also moved his club down the field and in position for Brett Maher to kick two field goals, bringing the Tabbies right back into the game after giving up an early major.
“It’s huge to have him back there controlling and running the offence,” said Filer. “We’re looking forward to it. We (the offensive line) have to protect up front, give him time to throw the ball and make the plays. We also have to open up the lanes when he hands the ball off. We’re really looking forward to going into the playoffs with him there.”
Keeping the Eskimos’ defence away from Collaros will be key for Filer and the rest of the offensive line so the quarterback can find his receivers along with use C.J. Gable out of the backfield.
With injuries to key receivers like Luke Tasker, Chad Owens and most recently Andy Fantuz, Collaros will be looking to new faces like Junior Collins and Kevin Elliott – each of whom the quarterback has complete faith in.
“I could run through every one of those guys and give you their strengths and why I really like being out there with them but it would take a long time,” Collaros said with a smile. “As a group, they’re always there for the meetings and the extra meetings that the quarterbacks will call. They put the time in, they want to be great players and that’s all we can really ask for as quarterbacks.”
And all of that preparation Collaros does hasn’t gone unnoticed – head coach Kent Austin had nothing but high praise for his franchise quarterback, his leadership qualities and how poised he is under pressure.
“Zach’s an outstanding player and he’s got the ability to make plays when things break down,” Austin said of Collaros. “He’s got the confidence of his teammates and he has command of the huddle. He’s a talented player. He understands the offence very well and he understands the value of real diligent preparation.”
Collaros will put all of his hard work to the test on November 13th, when he and his teammates fight to move onto the next round and get one step closer to becoming the 104th Grey Cup Champions.
