From today's Winnipeg Sun:

 

It was a year ago this week that the Edmonton Eskimos traded for Mike Reilly to get exclusive negotiating rights with the quarterback two weeks before he was set to become a free agent.

 

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers might want to do the same with Zach Collaros if they really desire his services, because there are rumblings in the CFL right now that the Hamilton Tiger-Cats could be a destination for the Toronto Argonauts backup.

 

The Bombers are the only team without a bona fide No. 1 quarterback right now, so the thinking is Collaros, who sources say is looking at Gil Scott or Dan Vertlieb to represent him in his upcoming negotiations, will head to Winnipeg on Feb. 15.

 

Not so fast, as it appears the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will figure significantly into what happens with Winnipeg's quarterback situation -- for two reasons.

First of all, there are more than a few people throughout the CFL who think veteran Henry Burris will end up signing in Winnipeg when he becomes a free agent on Feb. 15.

"Three people told me today they think Burris will end up in Winnipeg over the Ticats," a CFL source told the Sun.

 

Burris wouldn't exactly be a long-term answer for the Blue and Gold, as he will turn 39 years old during the first week of training camp, but he would give the reeling franchise an instant upgrade and be an excellent mentor for the team's young pivots.

 

The second factor in all of this is the Ticats are apparently very interested in bringing Collaros to Steeltown. They have not made any offers to Burris, and a source said the Ticats are hoping Collaros hears about their interest through the league grapevine. The Tabbies also have Dan LeFevour and Jeremiah Masoli in the fold, so Collaros could conceivably have a shot at the No. 1 gig there with Burris out of the picture.

 

Sources say the Bombers aren't convinced Collaros is a sure-fire No. 1 gun given his limited starting experience and wouldn't mind having a more experienced pivot on the roster to go along with him.

 

The way it's looking now, they might end up getting the experienced quarterback instead of Collaros.

 

@DarrinBauming: Henry Burris: “I would definitely go to Winnipeg – I just want to somewhere I'm wanted.." via/ @scratchingpost #Bombers

Roughly translated "I'm desperate, I'll play anywhere I have a spot!"

 

17, just what are you going to do if Burris does sign here? I'm kinda curious to know because you hate him so much.

Its really sad how much hate he has for him.. He does nothing but win. ****** canoe or not...

he wins in the summer... other than that no, seriously did you just call Burris a winner? After all those really good Calgary teams that he did SFA with? Head outta the ass SPuds. 

 

 

@DarrinBauming: Henry Burris: “I would definitely go to Winnipeg – I just want to somewhere I'm wanted.." via/ @scratchingpost #Bombers

Roughly translated "I'm desperate, I'll play anywhere I have a spot!"

 

17, just what are you going to do if Burris does sign here? I'm kinda curious to know because you hate him so much.

 

I have no idea, I quite frankly don't want to think about it. 

17 is discrediting Burris way to much. Signing Burris would instantly give us our best qb since 2007.

That says more about Pierce, Jyles, Bishop and Hall than it does Burris.

Matthew Scianitti ‏@TSNScianitti 1m

#CFL sources say Henry Burris will be released by the #Ticats

 

Welcome to Winnipeg Mr. Burris. Hopefully you make all the haters (yes, I said haters) suck your ass this season.

@garylawless: League source says Ti-cats release Burris. Could happen today #cfl #bombers

Its really sad how much hate he has for him.. He does nothing but win. ****** canoe or not...

he wins in the summer... other than that no, seriously did you just call Burris a winner? After all those really good Calgary teams that he did SFA with? Head outta the ass SPuds.

I haven't followed his career as closely as you have with your oddly obsessive vendetta but has he had a piss poor season like we have had? I don't seem to recall a year where he wasn't at least .500

 

 I don't seem to recall a year where he wasn't at least .500

 

You have to look all the way back to 2012.

I don't seem to recall a year where he wasn't at least .500

You have to look all the way back to 2012.

Yea yeah ya.. Iike I said, I didn't follow him that closely to bother remembering that.. Was that the only one?

 

 

 I don't seem to recall a year where he wasn't at least .500

 

You have to look all the way back to 2012.

 

Riders were 5-11-1 in 2000

Riders were 11-7 in 2003 (Burris came back at Labour day or around that time)

Riders were 9-9 in 2004

Stamps were 11-7 in 2005

Stamps were 10-8 in 2006

Stamps were 7-10-1 in 2007

Stamps were 13-5 in 2008 Grey Cup year

Stamps were 10-7-1 in 2009

Stamps were 13-5 in 2010

Stamps were 11-7 in 2011

Tiger Cats were 6-12 in 2012

Tiger Cats were 10-8 in 2013

 

 

I don't seem to recall a year where he wasn't at least .500

You have to look all the way back to 2012.

Yea yeah ya.. Iike I said, I didn't follow him that closely to bother remembering that.. Was that the only one?

 

IIRC, that was the year Burris probably would have won MOP had his team actually won games.  He a QB rating of 104.4, 5300 yards passing, 43 TDs to 18 interceptions.  Wasn't it Marshall's defence there that stunk up the joint? 

 

 

 

I don't seem to recall a year where he wasn't at least .500

You have to look all the way back to 2012.

Yea yeah ya.. Iike I said, I didn't follow him that closely to bother remembering that.. Was that the only one?

 

IIRC, that was the year Burris probably would have won MOP had his team actually won games.  He a QB rating of 104.4, 5300 yards passing, 43 TDs to 18 interceptions.  Wasn't it Marshall's defence there that stunk up the joint? 

 

Creehan's, who of course we took the next year and look what happened.

Farhan Lalji ‏@FarhanLaljiTSN 3m

Confirmed - the #Bombers have made a substantial multi-year offer to Henry Burris. #CFL

Taman... free Willy!!!!! Please

Hope they don't give Hank a load of cash up front and then can't buck up for Willy

Hope they don't give Hank a load of cash up front and then can't buck up for Willy

I'm a huge fan of Burris coming to Winnipeg. Get him and Willy but if its between him or Willy take BUrris for god sakes. We need a real QB and we need one now. He was the passing leader by a wide margin last year; I'm tired of these non pro QB's throwing air balls up.

I'm a huge fan of Burris coming to Winnipeg. Get him and Willy but if its between him or Willy take BUrris for god sakes. We need a real QB and we need one now. He was the passing leader by a wide margin last year; I'm tired of these non pro QB's throwing air balls up.

 

It would also be nice to go into a season with a qb who is not injury prone.   

Maybe we could trade Jade Etienne for Willy?

There is no reason we can't have them both.

Maybe we could trade Jade Etienne for Willy?

 

Or we can wait until he's officially a free agent in 2 weeks?

We have to sign Burris first.

Maybe we could trade Jade Etienne for Willy?

Or we could just sign em both?

 

Maybe we could trade Jade Etienne for Willy?

 

Or we can wait until he's officially a free agent in 2 weeks?

 

Playing the waiting game has not worked well for us lately. Kinda reminds me of that old poster of two vultures perched on a tree in a desert, with one saying to the other "Patience my a$$. I'm going to go kill something."

Someone on the Sask forum says he has an inside source confirming Burris has signed with the Bombers. We shall see...