Insider Talk is a weekly feature on 3DownNation that features anonymous quotes from people around the CFL — players, coaches, personnel people, executives, and agents — regarding the latest news around the league. It’s a combination of insight, analysis, rumours, and friendly gossip.
This week’s Insider Talk is full of discussion regarding Montreal’s coaching situation, the play of Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros, the struggles of B.C. offensive lineman Sukh Chungh, Ottawa’s future, and Duke Williams’ performance in training camp with the Buffalo Bills.
Enjoy this week’s quotes and come back next Wednesday for another edition of Insider Talk.
***
He helped them a lot in 2019, but people in this business have short memories. If (Montreal Alouettes’ head coach) Khari Jones doesn’t make the playoffs this season, I think will Danny Maciocia take over that job.
***
I spend a ton of time on the road and run into scouts and personnel guys from other teams all the time. You know who I never see? (Edmonton Elks’ general manager) Brock Sunderland. Strange.
***
The more time that goes on in Ottawa without (general manager) Marcel Desjardins getting fired, the more I think he could stay at the end of the year and (head coach) Paul LaPolice could be gone. But you never know. If Caleb Evans is the real deal maybe they both stay. It wouldn’t be the first time a quarterback saved everyone’s job.
***
Their system helps him, but Zach Collaros is playing the best football of any quarterback in the league right now. He’s proving why so many people have stuck with him despite his injuries.
***
(Newly-signed Saskatchewan Roughriders’ receiver) Duke Williams didn’t have a good training camp in Buffalo. He was the slowest receiver there. Hopefully the waggle helps him in Saskatchewan because he was really struggling to separate with the Bills.
***
Sukh Chungh has done nothing but make B.C.’s offensive line worse. He just doesn’t pass protect very well. They made a big mistake making him the league’s highest-paid guard.
***
That injury article you put out is misleading. Saskatchewan’s had injuries, sure, but their numbers are inflated from carrying healthy players on the one-game injured list and the Achilles tears they had super early. Replacing guys before the season is easy. With COVID, replacing them week-to-week is tough. I’ll take a preseason injury over a midseason injury anytime.
***
You know what I would do with the ratio? Mandate starting a Canadian slotback. So many good receivers would produce if they just got the chance to see the ball. We can’t stick guys out at Z and expect them to do much.