Inside the CFL: Should teams field their best lineups this weekend?

By Graham Kelly on November 18, 2021.

Last Saturday, we caught a glimpse of what the best team in the country looks like without its starting quarterback. It wasn’t a pretty sight, as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were shot down by Montreal 28-14. Having wrapped up first place in the West weeks ago, coach Michael O’Shea gave expectant father Zach Collaros the day off and called on back-up Sean McGuire to make his first CFL start. He was terrible, completing 11 of 26 passes for 149 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. To be fair, O’Shea also rested nine other starters, including three offensive linemen. The Bomber boss has indicated most will play this Saturday in Calgary – a game with an outcome that will have no effect on the standings. Last Monday, Nicole Collaros gave birth to Capri Sofia Collaros and father Zach seems anxious to get back to work.

But should he? And should Bo Levi Mitchell see action for the Stampeders, just to keep sharp going into the playoffs? The situations are different.

After the 2018 season, Zach Collaros had been discarded by Hamilton because of a long history of concussions. He went to Saskatchewan where he was concussed in the 2018 semifinal against Winnipeg. In the first quarter of the 2019 season opener in Steeltown, when his backup Cody Fajardo proved he could get the job done and because of the possible long-term effects on his cognitive abilities if concussed again, Collaros was traded to Toronto. Meanwhile, both Bomber quarterbacks were hurt so they acquired Collaros at the trade deadline. The rest, as they say, is history with Zach going from the slag heap to walking on the Red River. The Stamps have a ferocious pass rush and want to win Saturday. One blow to the head and the Bomber quarterback’s career could be over. The game means nothing to Winnipeg. Why take the risk? The argument is made that sitting Collaros out means that come the Western final Dec. 5th, he will not have fired a football in anger for three weeks and will be rusty. Doesn’t matter. They can’t win without him.

That’s not the case in Calgary. Bo’s backup Jake Maier proved he could lead his men to victory when Mitchell was hurt earlier this year. Also the Stamps have only a week until the semifinal in Regina. Bo wants all hands on deck to beat the Bombers.

“We’re playing the best in the league Saturday. I’d love to put some doubt in their minds and confidence in ours. Go out there and play strong, play fast, beat them up a little bit,” he said.

His coach has another angle.

“Injuries happen a lot of times when you’re playing slow or you’re not aggressive. We’ve got to play well, play winning football.”

Expect Dickenson to rest receiver Reggie Begelton, Bo to play a bit and Jake Maier to go most of the way.

The red and white is the hottest team in the league right now having won five of their last six games. They want to roll into the post-season on a winning note.

The other Dickenson, Craig, has wisely decided to give Cody Fajardo, the green and white’s most outstanding player nominee, the day off against Hamilton. The following week, the Riders will host Calgary in the semifinal. The scoring differential over the three games those teams played against each other last month was 10 points. They won’t corral the Stampeders without Fajardo. Saskatchewan has nothing to gain by beating Hamilton except the satisfaction of a job well done. Isaac Harker will start with former first round NFL draft pick Paxton Lynch in reserve.

Does Saskatchewan have an obligation to field their best lineup lest they effect the outcome of the Eastern semifinal? No. Dickenson must do what’s best for his team and its fans. To do otherwise and his star player got hurt would likely mean he would be his brother’s special team coordinator in Calgary next year.

Dickenson will also sit running back William Powell, receiver Duke Williams, centre Dan Clark, the Riders’ nominee for most outstanding offensive lineman, and defensive tackle Michah Johnson. But the Riders will still field lots of fire power and their defence is outstanding. They, too, are hot having won four of their last five. The Green Machine knows maintaining momentum is important.