Mark Taylor/THE CANADIAN PRESS
HAMILTON — Ticats head coach June Jones has announced that quarterback Zach Collaros will not be traded before the trade deadline on Wednesday afternoon.
“Oh yeah, we’ve had that discussion for a long time. He’s actually going to be here,” Jones told Ticats.ca. “He’s going to be here.”
Collaros, 29, has been the centre of trade speculation since Labour Day, when he was replaced by Jeremiah Masoli as the team’s starting quarterback.
The Ticats are 4-2 since changing pivots and have clawed back into the East Division playoff picture — but Jones says Collaros remains a vital part of the team’s present and future.
“He’s a good player, and he makes us better,” Jones said. “You’re one play away, you’ve got to have as many quarterbacks as you have. I’m a firm believer that you really have to have quarterbacks, O-line, D-line and corners. Everything else you’ll find.”
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June Jones says the Ticats won’t be trading Zach Collaros on deadline day (CFL.ca)
Last week, starting running back C.J. Gable was traded to the Edmonton Eskimos for negotiation list players, opening the door for running back Alex Green. But on Tuesday, the Ticats’ coach said the decision to hang onto Collaros has as much to do with tomorrow as today, indicating that the Steubenville, Ohio is in the team’s plans for 2017.
“We talked about that thoroughly even if we weren’t in the position [we’re in now],” said Jones. “Zach is a good player and he needs to be on our team. He gives us the best chance for the future too.
“I’ve been more impressed with Zach being in the position he’s in now, carrying himself as a professional. It’d be real easy for him to turn negative, be pouting that he’s not playing – he’s preparing every day, he’s a true pro. And he’s had a lot of input to me on things to tweak and do on the stuff that I have. So he’s been a big help.”
After an 0-8 start, the Ticats are back in the playoff race, coming off an impressive upset win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. They’re five points back of the REDBLACKS for the second playoff spot in the East, but have two games in hand and control their own destiny.
The playoff push continues on Friday night when the league-leading Stamps visit Tim Hortons Field.
– With files from Ticats.ca
