Bombers MOP a toss-up

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/10/2023 (1070 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There’s a great debate brewing in Bomberland these days.

Between quarterback Zach Collaros and running back Brady Oliveira, who deserves to be Winnipeg’s Most Outstanding Player (MOP) nominee for 2023?

Collaros was the only answer the past two seasons. He turned his nomination into back-to-back CFL MOP awards, making him the first Bomber to win the league’s biggest individual honour two years in a row since quarterback Dieter Brock did it in 1980-81.

A Collaros three-peat was a safe bet heading into this season, but Oliveira has complicated things. The 26-year-old from Winnipeg is enjoying a historic campaign as he leads the league with 1,426 rushing yards on a 5.8 yards per carry average. The fourth-year pro also has 465 receiving yards and 11 total touchdowns.

Collaros has been brilliant as well with 4,127 passing yards (the 4,183 he had last year was a career high), 32 touchdowns and 15 interceptions while completing 68 per cent of his passes. The 15 picks are the most Collaros has thrown in his seven CFL seasons.

The pair are the main reason why the Bombers boast the highest scoring offence in the three-down circuit at 31 points per game.

It’ll be up to five local media members and head coach Mike O’Shea to vote.

There are still two games left for the 12-4 Bombers, starting next Saturday at IG Field against the visiting Edmonton Elks (4-12).

The Free Press spoke with five Bombers legends who call Winnipeg home to see who they’d give the nod to if a decision needed to be made right now.

Doug Brown, DT (Years with Bombers: 2001-11)

Doug Brown was undecided heading into last week’s pivotal West Division showdown at BC Place.

But shortly after the Bombers prevailed 34-26 in overtime over the B.C. Lions, Brown knew who his guy was.

It’s Oliveira.

He took 11 carries for 67 yards and a score, while also catching eight passes for 85 yards. Collaros went 31-for-41 for 389 yards and two touchdowns in the comeback victory, but also had an interception and two lost fumbles in the red zone.

“(Collaros) is a hall of fame player, he’s had a good year. In fact, the game I saw him play in the Banjo Bowl against Saskatchewan might be the best game I’ve ever seen Zach Collaros play. It’s certainly not being critical of his performance,” said Brown, the colour commentator for Bomber broadcasts on 680 CJOB.

“I just think what Brady has done this year is historic. You want to talk about how celebrated Andrew Harris is as a running back for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, well, Brady just beat his best season here. And he’s encroaching on the second-best season by a Canadian running back all-time (former Calgary Stampeders tailback Jon Cornish holds the Canadian rushing record with 1,813 rushing yards in 2013). For me, it comes down to how consistent he’s been. The quarterback is always going to be the most valuable, but I think Brady has been the most outstanding on a week-by-week basis.”

Like most people, Brown didn’t see a season like this coming from Oliveira, at least not at this stage of his career. Harris, now with the Toronto Argonauts, had his best season in 2019 with the blue and gold when he totalled 1,380 rushing yards, 529 receiving yards, eight total touchdowns, and a 6.1 yards per carry average while missing two games for testing positive for a banned substance.

“I thought he’d be a good back, a capable back for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. But I didn’t think he’d be breaking Andrew Harris’s records here this quickly and be this consident and reliable as a backfield threat. It’s been quite surprising, a pleasant surprise, and very eye-opening,” said Brown.

Paul Robson, C/LB, Assistant GM/GM (Years with Bombers: 1964-72, 1974-86)

Collaros reminds Paul Robson of one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the Canadian game, Saskatchewan Roughriders legend Ron Lancaster.

“I remember years ago playing Saskatchewan and we used to say, ‘Make sure we’re ahead and we’ve got the ball so Lancaster doesn’t have it with a minute left to go on the clock’ because invariably, he would beat you with it if he had the ball in his hands,” said Robson.

“What I see of Collaros is that same kind of thing. You’re never out of the game when he’s got the ball in his hands.”

With that said, Robson, who played college ball at the University of North Dakota just like Oliveira, gives a slight edge to the hometown kid.

“It would be a very difficult decision. I think I might lean to Oliveira because of what I see in his development to fully round out his game… As an example, I didn’t realize he’s as adept as he was at catching the ball. He’s a very good receiver and that facet of his game has really added to what he’s done,” said Robson.

Willard Reaves, RB (Years with Bombers: 1983-87)

Willard Reaves made his five seasons in Winnipeg count. He was the team’s MOP in 1983, and the league’s MOP in 1984.

He believes Oliveira is worthy of similar recognition.

“I think he’s been the most consistent out of all the players out there. Even if Winnipeg’s getting their butts kicked, Brady’s out there and he’s running his butt off,” said Reaves.

“He’s running hard, he’s catching the football, and he’s making things happen. To see that day in and day out, whether they’re at home or away, I think Brady has done enough with Winnipeg to warrant an MOP.”

Paul Bennett, DB (Years with Bombers: 1980-83)

Paul Bennett thinks it’s a disservice to select one player over the other.

He’s quick to remind you that Collaros needs Oliveira, and Oliveira needs Collaros.

But whether Bennett likes it or not, there can’t be two winners.

“Is it something you give to the quarterback to continue what’s primarily always been done? Or do you give it to the guy, a Canadian running back, who has provided Collaros with time and space to be as good as he can? So, you know what, if I have to make a pick, I’m gonna go with Brady here,” said Bennett.

“I think the way things are going now that Brady gives them a one-up on defences that creates such an opening for everybody else… I just don’t think the team does what they do without him right now.”

Chris Walby, OL (Years with Bombers: 1981-96)

Chris Walby doesn’t recall the Bombers having an MOP race as tight as this.

He flips back and forth for several minutes before settling on a decision.

“I think I gotta go with Zach. Oh man, I feel bad for Brady. Sorry Brady, but Zach is the guy… I can see Brady getting a lot of votes, I really can, but it’s hard to go against the guy who stirs the drink,” said Walby.

“He gives you a chance to win every game. They’re down by 10 points, he brings them back. It doesn’t matter if he throws an interception, he stills plays outstanding.”

But if Oliveira does take it in the end, Walby has some advice for him.

“I hope Brady if he does win, he buys all them boys nice watches. Not like Willard who bought us those Timexes… In 1984, wins the rushing title, was the MOP of the league, and says ‘I’m getting you guys all watches!’ So, we kept bugging him, ‘Where’s the watches Willard?’ ‘Oh, they’re coming brother.’ All of a sudden, we see him run over to The Bay, across from the old stadium, and brings us lady Timexes,” said Walby.

“They didn’t even fit around our wrists. I never let him forget that.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

X: @taylorallen31