Arthur Ward/CFL.ca
1. OTTAWA’S QB DEPTH MAY NOT BE TOO BAD AFTER ALL
If the REDBLACKS ever should have to call his number, Dominique Davis showed he can be reliable in the pre-season. (Chris Hofley/Ottawa REDBLACKS)
Dominique Davis’ tenure in Winnipeg was dotted with disappointment as the 28-year-old quarterback never really showed any flashes of brilliance when he was pressed into action behind Matt Nichols. Those who were bullish on him, anyway, will be happy to know that he looked poised and confident in the REDBLACKS’ win over Toronto on Thursday night.
True, Davis was taking on an Argos’ defence that was stocked mostly with back-ups and players that would eventually be released but it was his quick decision-making that was most impressive. The ball was out fast, pretty well every time he dropped back. Hard to know if he’ll be good enough if incumbent Trevor Harris is ever unavailable during the regular season but there were good signs from Davis against the Argos.
2. MONTREAL STILL NEEDS OFFENSIVE ANSWERS
The Als’ offence did not exactly light things up during pre-season, scoring no touchdowns against Ottawa and just the one against Hamilton.
The worst offence in the league in 2017 didn’t look particularly crisp against the Ticats, with probable starter (saving a trade or free agent pick-up) Drew Willy continuing to look for consistent, ball-moving rhythm. It’s only pre-season, yes, but if the Montreal offence doesn’t find a gear in the early portion of the regular schedule, a familiar story is poised to take centre stage again: The Alouettes’ defence will be tasked with holding scores low while spending a lot of time on the field.
3. SPEAKING OF HOLDING THE FORT…
With the news that starting quarterback Matt Nichols will be out of the Winnipeg line-up for as many as six weeks, there is now some extra pressure on the Blue Bombers’ defence to be better than it has been over the last couple of seasons.
You could suppose that an offence with a lot of very good weaponry in its arsenal might be able to chug along, but without an experienced, proven back-up ready to take the controls, it wouldn’t be a stretch to assume that points might well be at a premium, even if Andrew Harris gets more work than a White House lawyer.
So, here comes a test of the somewhat refurbished Winnipeg defence, and an early tell of just how much additions like Adam Bighill and Chandler Fenner will mean to it.
4. MARC TRESTMAN DOESN’T CONCERN HIMSELF WITH RUST
The head coach of the Toronto Argonauts didn’t really feel the need to rep his vets much at all during the pre-season. While some coaches – many of them, really – use the two games as a mixture of seeing new guys perform and having veterans shake off a winter’s layer of oxidation, Trestman sat almost all of his projected starters for both match-ups.
It’s an interesting move and when you look at the season through the prism of long-range goals, keeping the wear and tear on ageing bodies to a minimum during the early stages makes some sense. However, over the short-term, it leaves you wondering if those inactive starters might be looking a trifle out of sorts when they face Saskatchewan in their opener.
5. IT’S NOT AS CUT AND DRIED IN SASKY AS WE MAY HAVE THOUGHT
Zach Collaros as the Riders starting quarterback in Week 1 is all but set in stone. (The Canadian Press)
Don’t put that hay in the barn just yet, little dogies. It may be cut but it is still soaking wet.
Count me among those who’d decided, months ago, that the Saskatchewan Roughriders had a quarterback depth chart that was easily set. Zach Collaros would be the starter and Brandon Bridge would be the dutiful understudy, ready and willing to step in when called upon, the way he had been in 2017.
Despite Collaros’ struggles in his last year with Hamilton, his obvious talent, experience and past successes made him the most annointable one with his new club.
Hasn’t quite worked out that way during training camp and pre-season, however. Collaros hasn’t re-emerged in the fashion some of us expected.
Not yet, anyway. Trouble is, Bridge hasn’t been a world-beater during pre-season either and head coach Chris Jones has a decision to make as his team prepares for the home opener against Toronto.
AND FINALLY…
I’d say Johnny Manziel has been Manzieling in a Manziel way so far. I’d also venture to say that the level of Manziel’s Manzielness has been quite Manzielly. On a scale of Manziel to Manziel, I rate him: Manziel.
