One minute before yesterday's official CFL trade deadline, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have acquired QB Zack Collaros from the Toronto Argonauts for a third round pick in the 2020 draft, and first round pick should Collaros re-sign with the Bombers. Winnipeg also receives a fifth round pick from the Argos as well. While some will see this deal as significant, TTS gives a few reasons why this deal is actually not very good at all.
1) Damaged goods. Zach Collaros is one concussion away from an early retirement, and shouldn't be anymore more than a back up at this point in his career. He's had at least three (or four, or five, depending on how many he's hidden) concussions thus far, and has shown to be quite injury prone over the length of his career. If he chooses to not re-sign at the end of the season, he'll walk away, and it will have cost the team crucial draft picks.
2) Draft picks and depth. Giving up draft picks that could potentially bring young, star players out of college for an older QB that is broken on the best of days makes little sense. In addition to having QB Matt Nichols, as well as QB Chris Streveler, the Blue Bombers should be amassing draft picks to get younger, more affluent players that can quickly be developed into stars. They've done it before, and need to stop trying to rely on stop-gap measures and quick fixes.
3) Money. It's more than likely that the Bombers will pay Collaros to sit on the bench for the remainder of the season, and Collaros isn't exactly a discount either. This money should have been put aside to re-sign Streveler in the off-season, as well as key personnel to keep the nucleus of the team together. It's another reason why this trade makes almost no sense for Winnipeg.
Unfortunately, we may never know the reason why the Blue Bombers did this, or get some half-truths at the next media circus. Only time will tell how this all plays out.
Agree or disagree with our analysis? Leave a comment below!
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Observations from college football as of late. (NCAA)
Six weeks into the 2019 NCAA season has brought much of the same from last year, with a few interesting points here and there. Below are some things that we at TTS have noticed thus far.
1) Penn State's rank is a joke. Sitting at #10 in the Top 25, Penn State has played lights out football on both sides of the ball, but continues to get no love from the Associated Press. As someone who has watched them play this year, they should be much higher, and if it was me, would easily rank them at #6, ahead of Oklahoma, who even though are undefeated, look very shaky more often than not.
2) Wake Forest hasn't lost - yet. One of the big surprises of this season by far is the fact that the Demon Deacons haven't lost a game. And just like the above mentioned Penn State, they aren't getting any love from the AP, and should be ranked much higher than #19. If you thought the ranking system was dysfunctional year after year, you are correct.
3) Longhorns are a joke. Texas sits 3-2, and yet still has a place in the T25? C'mon AP, get it together. They are the only team in the T24 with two losses, and shouldn't be in the T25 whatsoever. But, as is the case with the AP (just look at #'s 1-4), money talks, and it corrupts everything. Perhaps one day a long time from now it'll be even, but not today.
4) Fighting Irish are on a roll. This past weekend saw the Irish flatten Bowling Green at home in epic fashion. The explosive offence and stingy defence were on full display, as Notre Dame continues to roll. And yet again, they should be ranked ahead of Oklahoma in the T25. I'm not beating a dead horse by any means, I'm just telling it like it is.
5) Hail to the weaklings. Just like every other year, Alabama is #1 not because they are a great team, but because they always draw the world's WEAKEST schedule. They have played Duke, New Mexico State, South Carolina, Southern Miss, and Ole Miss to start the season. Out of all those teams, only Ole Miss was capable of giving them a run for their money, and fell short. As a diehard football fan that just wants to see a decent game between evenly matched teams, let me just say that this kind of thing is garbage - period. Money is valued over competition, and year after year, it shows. The only people who suffer are us - the football fans.
Agree with our analysis? Leave a comment below!
1) Penn State's rank is a joke. Sitting at #10 in the Top 25, Penn State has played lights out football on both sides of the ball, but continues to get no love from the Associated Press. As someone who has watched them play this year, they should be much higher, and if it was me, would easily rank them at #6, ahead of Oklahoma, who even though are undefeated, look very shaky more often than not.
2) Wake Forest hasn't lost - yet. One of the big surprises of this season by far is the fact that the Demon Deacons haven't lost a game. And just like the above mentioned Penn State, they aren't getting any love from the AP, and should be ranked much higher than #19. If you thought the ranking system was dysfunctional year after year, you are correct.
3) Longhorns are a joke. Texas sits 3-2, and yet still has a place in the T25? C'mon AP, get it together. They are the only team in the T24 with two losses, and shouldn't be in the T25 whatsoever. But, as is the case with the AP (just look at #'s 1-4), money talks, and it corrupts everything. Perhaps one day a long time from now it'll be even, but not today.
4) Fighting Irish are on a roll. This past weekend saw the Irish flatten Bowling Green at home in epic fashion. The explosive offence and stingy defence were on full display, as Notre Dame continues to roll. And yet again, they should be ranked ahead of Oklahoma in the T25. I'm not beating a dead horse by any means, I'm just telling it like it is.
5) Hail to the weaklings. Just like every other year, Alabama is #1 not because they are a great team, but because they always draw the world's WEAKEST schedule. They have played Duke, New Mexico State, South Carolina, Southern Miss, and Ole Miss to start the season. Out of all those teams, only Ole Miss was capable of giving them a run for their money, and fell short. As a diehard football fan that just wants to see a decent game between evenly matched teams, let me just say that this kind of thing is garbage - period. Money is valued over competition, and year after year, it shows. The only people who suffer are us - the football fans.
Agree with our analysis? Leave a comment below!
CFL Week 18 predictions! (CFL)
We're in the home stretch now for CFL football, with only a few weeks left to go before the playoffs start. Some teams are gearing up for a playoff run, some are sputtering suddenly, and a few others won't even make it in. That being said, here's our picks for Week 18!
1) Ottawa @ Toronto
The RedBlacks are in a long, downward spiral. The Argos just got blown out last week by the Lions. Both teams are awful, but I believe that the Argos will come out on top of this one, especially with the news that legend Pinball Clemons is now the GM of the team.
PICK: Argonauts
2) Saskatchewan @ Calgary
After being stunned by the Alouettes in Montreal last week, the Stampeders are back home, and looking for blood. The Roughriders are coming off a fluke win, and need to have a dose of reality check. Bo Levi Mitchell will make the difference here.
PICK: Stampeders
3) Montreal @ Winnipeg
The Alouettes clinched a berth in the playoffs last week, but arrive in Winnipeg to play a Blue Bombers team that came up short last week, and need to get back on track before their playoff run begins. The Bomber run game will be huge this week, and expect Streveler to have a better game.
PICK: Blue Bombers
4) B.C. @ Edmonton
Trevor Harris is still out, and B.C. is on a tear right now. The Eskimos have been in decline since before the middle of the season, and it's mind boggling. Look for B.C. to continue with their momentum and come out on top.
PICK: Lions
BYE: Hamilton
LAST WEEK: 2-2
SEASON: 48-17
Like our picks? Leave a comment below!
1) Ottawa @ Toronto
The RedBlacks are in a long, downward spiral. The Argos just got blown out last week by the Lions. Both teams are awful, but I believe that the Argos will come out on top of this one, especially with the news that legend Pinball Clemons is now the GM of the team.
PICK: Argonauts
2) Saskatchewan @ Calgary
After being stunned by the Alouettes in Montreal last week, the Stampeders are back home, and looking for blood. The Roughriders are coming off a fluke win, and need to have a dose of reality check. Bo Levi Mitchell will make the difference here.
PICK: Stampeders
3) Montreal @ Winnipeg
The Alouettes clinched a berth in the playoffs last week, but arrive in Winnipeg to play a Blue Bombers team that came up short last week, and need to get back on track before their playoff run begins. The Bomber run game will be huge this week, and expect Streveler to have a better game.
PICK: Blue Bombers
4) B.C. @ Edmonton
Trevor Harris is still out, and B.C. is on a tear right now. The Eskimos have been in decline since before the middle of the season, and it's mind boggling. Look for B.C. to continue with their momentum and come out on top.
PICK: Lions
BYE: Hamilton
LAST WEEK: 2-2
SEASON: 48-17
Like our picks? Leave a comment below!
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Argos fire GM, then hire GM/Niners remain perfect. (CFL/NFL)
This year has been a big mess for the Toronto Argonauts, and it wasn't much of a surprise early this morning when they fired Jim Popp as General Manager. The real surprise came just minutes ago, when the Argonauts named former player, head coach, and Grey Cup champion (and overall good guy) Michael 'Pinball' Clemons as their new GM.
Straight up, I can say with certainty that this is a very good idea, and might just be what the Argonauts need to rise up out of the gutter next season, and bring respectability back to the team. He's been a great ambassador for the team, the CFL, and the City of Toronto for quite some time, and this move just makes so much sense. Here's hoping the Argos have found that light at the end of the tunnel and come out ahead once again.
Those 'Niners! Last night on Monday Night Football, the San Francisco 49ers dismantled the Cleveland Browns, with the offence running rampant over the hapless Browns, and the defence getting it done with sacks and pass rushing, nevermind what they did against the run. QB Jimmy Garoppolo had a pretty decent game, racking up 181 yards, going 20 for 29 with two touchdowns. Both running backs were studs, while TE Greg Kittle was a superman all by himself as well.
The defence was solid, with high draft pick Nick Bosa making a huge statement. Richard Sherman also was top notch, picking off Browns' QB Baker Mayfield as well. The 49ers haven't started 4-0 since 1990, when some guy (just kidding!) named Joe Montana (GOAT!) was tossing touchdown passes to a wide receiver named Jerry Rice, whoever that was. (another GOAT!) The fans were loud and proud, and going nuts in the stands at Levi Stadium.
As far as Monday night games go, that one was awesome.
Straight up, I can say with certainty that this is a very good idea, and might just be what the Argonauts need to rise up out of the gutter next season, and bring respectability back to the team. He's been a great ambassador for the team, the CFL, and the City of Toronto for quite some time, and this move just makes so much sense. Here's hoping the Argos have found that light at the end of the tunnel and come out ahead once again.
Those 'Niners! Last night on Monday Night Football, the San Francisco 49ers dismantled the Cleveland Browns, with the offence running rampant over the hapless Browns, and the defence getting it done with sacks and pass rushing, nevermind what they did against the run. QB Jimmy Garoppolo had a pretty decent game, racking up 181 yards, going 20 for 29 with two touchdowns. Both running backs were studs, while TE Greg Kittle was a superman all by himself as well.
The defence was solid, with high draft pick Nick Bosa making a huge statement. Richard Sherman also was top notch, picking off Browns' QB Baker Mayfield as well. The 49ers haven't started 4-0 since 1990, when some guy (just kidding!) named Joe Montana (GOAT!) was tossing touchdown passes to a wide receiver named Jerry Rice, whoever that was. (another GOAT!) The fans were loud and proud, and going nuts in the stands at Levi Stadium.
As far as Monday night games go, that one was awesome.
Monday, October 7, 2019
Heads are rolling, starting with Jay Gruden. (NFL)
As predicted by almost every sports outlet since the beginning of the 2019 NFL season, Jay Gruden has been fired as coach of the Washington Redskins. With an 0-5 start and a team that looks horribly confused even on the best of days, it was inevitable. The Redskins have been described as nothing more than a large dumpster fire as of late, and their inability to win games (or even put points on the board) has now cost people their jobs.
With this in mind, TTS looks at the next likely head coaches that will join the annual 'soup kitchen' line before the end of the season:
1) Zac Brown, Cincinnati Bengals. Another coach that is 0-5 to start the season, Brown could potentially be sacked sooner rather than later, as the Bengals are the picture of dysfunction right now. It's not all the coach's fault however, as the Bengals need to figure out that QB Andy Dalton is not, and never was the answer they needed to become successful.
2) Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers. Tomlin is so far past his best before date, that it's a small wonder he hasn't been shown the door up to this point. The Steelers have fallen into irrelevancy (good!), and this should spell the end of his tenure in Pittsburgh.
3) Brian Flores, Miami Dolphins. Can you say blown out? That's what the Dolphins have been doing this season - getting blow out by everyone. Players want out, the fans are leaving in droves, and the team stinks so bad, the stench won't go away anytime soon. Will firing Flores fix the team? Probably not, but what else can you do?
Like our analysis? Leave a comment below!
With this in mind, TTS looks at the next likely head coaches that will join the annual 'soup kitchen' line before the end of the season:
1) Zac Brown, Cincinnati Bengals. Another coach that is 0-5 to start the season, Brown could potentially be sacked sooner rather than later, as the Bengals are the picture of dysfunction right now. It's not all the coach's fault however, as the Bengals need to figure out that QB Andy Dalton is not, and never was the answer they needed to become successful.
2) Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers. Tomlin is so far past his best before date, that it's a small wonder he hasn't been shown the door up to this point. The Steelers have fallen into irrelevancy (good!), and this should spell the end of his tenure in Pittsburgh.
3) Brian Flores, Miami Dolphins. Can you say blown out? That's what the Dolphins have been doing this season - getting blow out by everyone. Players want out, the fans are leaving in droves, and the team stinks so bad, the stench won't go away anytime soon. Will firing Flores fix the team? Probably not, but what else can you do?
Like our analysis? Leave a comment below!
Saturday, October 5, 2019
TIME OUT! Winless Teams/Patriots/Brown (again) (NFL)
1) You losers you. The Redskins, Bengals, and Broncos all have one thing in common - they haven't yet won a game this season. The Redskins are beyond legendary in their ineptitude, with head coach Jay Gruden (who will probably hit the soup kitchen line first and foremost this year) on the thinnest ice possible. The Broncos have GM John Elway to blame, constantly bringing in QBs that don't cut the mustard (we're looking at YOU, Flacco!).
Lastly, the Bengals have been terrible, making some of us wonder when they'll finally admit that QB Andy Dalton really does suck! How long has he been there, and accomplished nothing? Dalton never was the answer, yet the ownership doesn't see it that way. TIME OUT, CINCY! Do yourselves a favour and get rid of carrot-top already!
2) Clam chowder, redux. As someone completely sick and tired of the Patriots (haven't watched the last two Super Bowls because of this, which is a shame in itself), let me just say ENOUGH ALREADY! They get weak schedules, every break imaginable, and if that isn't bad enough, ram Tom Brady (I don't care what you say, that cheating SOB isn't the GOAT!) down our throats.
People don't want to tune in and see the same junk year after year, so TIME OUT on all this New England Nonsense! It makes me want to throw up....
3) Again with the Brown. Seriously? Antonio Brown is still making headlines? TIME OUT to every sports network/paper/etc. that gives this fool mention. PLEASE. STOP. IT. NOW.
Agree with the time outs we called? Leave a comment below!
Lastly, the Bengals have been terrible, making some of us wonder when they'll finally admit that QB Andy Dalton really does suck! How long has he been there, and accomplished nothing? Dalton never was the answer, yet the ownership doesn't see it that way. TIME OUT, CINCY! Do yourselves a favour and get rid of carrot-top already!
2) Clam chowder, redux. As someone completely sick and tired of the Patriots (haven't watched the last two Super Bowls because of this, which is a shame in itself), let me just say ENOUGH ALREADY! They get weak schedules, every break imaginable, and if that isn't bad enough, ram Tom Brady (I don't care what you say, that cheating SOB isn't the GOAT!) down our throats.
People don't want to tune in and see the same junk year after year, so TIME OUT on all this New England Nonsense! It makes me want to throw up....
3) Again with the Brown. Seriously? Antonio Brown is still making headlines? TIME OUT to every sports network/paper/etc. that gives this fool mention. PLEASE. STOP. IT. NOW.
Agree with the time outs we called? Leave a comment below!
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
CFL Week 17 predictions! (CFL)
1) Edmonton @ Hamilton
How do you think this will go? Badly, for the Eskimos.
PICK: Tiger-Cats
2) Calgary @ Montreal
The Alouettes suffered a brutal loss to a lesser team last week against the Lions. Even with QB Vernon Adams back, they won't have enough gas in the tank to stop Bo Levi Mitchell and the Stampeders. Regardless of the situation, the Stamps still have a lot of depth to contend with.
PICK: Stampeders
3) Winnipeg @ Saskatchewan
The Blue Bombers need a bounce-back game, and need it now. Currently in a two game slide, they need the momentum back on their side for their upcoming playoff run. Beating the 'Riders at Mosaic would be a huge confidence boost, and I think they can do it.
PICK: Blue Bombers
4) Toronto @ B.C.
The Lions have been on a late season roll, and I expect it to continue this week.
PICK: Lions
BYE: Ottawa
LAST WEEK: 3-1
SEASON: 46-15
Like our picks? Leave a comment below!
How do you think this will go? Badly, for the Eskimos.
PICK: Tiger-Cats
2) Calgary @ Montreal
The Alouettes suffered a brutal loss to a lesser team last week against the Lions. Even with QB Vernon Adams back, they won't have enough gas in the tank to stop Bo Levi Mitchell and the Stampeders. Regardless of the situation, the Stamps still have a lot of depth to contend with.
PICK: Stampeders
3) Winnipeg @ Saskatchewan
The Blue Bombers need a bounce-back game, and need it now. Currently in a two game slide, they need the momentum back on their side for their upcoming playoff run. Beating the 'Riders at Mosaic would be a huge confidence boost, and I think they can do it.
PICK: Blue Bombers
4) Toronto @ B.C.
The Lions have been on a late season roll, and I expect it to continue this week.
PICK: Lions
BYE: Ottawa
LAST WEEK: 3-1
SEASON: 46-15
Like our picks? Leave a comment below!
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