Bombers won’t have to worry about Marino in Riders rematch

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This article was published 07/09/2022 (1162 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Garrett Marino has likely played his final CFL game.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders had finally seen enough and released their controversial defensive tackle Tuesday evening. Marino’s latest offence, unnecessarily hitting Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros at the Labour Day Classic after he had already pitched the ball, appeared to have been the final straw.

“It was a cumulative decision. It just got to be too much. You know, it starts wearing you down and becoming a distraction and he knows it. I don’t even think he was surprised,” Riders head coach Craig Dickenson told the Regina media on Wednesday.

“… When he sees the other colour, he hits it. He doesn’t know half the time, if it’s the quarterback, running back, O-lineman, if he sees a jersey of a different colour, he hits it. That’s why he’s so darn good and disruptive, but it also is a dangerous way to play and it gets you in trouble.”

Marino became the villain of the league after illegally hitting Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli in Week 5. Marino was ejected from the game and proceeded to flex his arms and blow kisses to the crowd as Masoli, who hasn’t played since, was laying on the field. Marino also used offensive racial language towards Masoli.

To the surprise of many, the Riders didn’t release Marino after that. Marino was suspended for four games and seemingly learned nothing. In his first game back, a Week 11 meeting with the B.C. Lions, Marino was fined for knocking centre Peter Godber to the ground after the play was already whistled dead.

The hit on Collaros wasn’t the dirtiest play you’ll ever see, but Marino appears to have run out of chances.

Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea was asked after Wednesday’s practice if he thinks another team will sign Marino.

“I would say just the behaviour has been repeated so many times that it’d be pretty tough,” said O’Shea.

A report came out on Wednesday saying CFL commisioner Randy Ambrosie issued a memo warning teams against signing Marino.

Marino, a 28-year-old who was in his second CFL season out of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, had a sack and nine defensive tackles in eight games this season.

“At the end of the day, he’s always played with an edge,” said Bombers linebacker Adam Bighill.

“You have to make decisions in the heat of the moment that are smart and he’s shown to make more bad decisions than good decisons. I guess that’s the best way to put it.”

There was no flag on Marino’s hit on Collaros and O’Shea hasn’t been given an explanation from the league yet as to why that was the case.

“Yeah, watching it more closely after, I think it’s a penalty. You know, the term is unneccessary so you have to believe that is unneccessary,” said O’Shea.

“How Saskatchewan handles their business is none of my business. From a fan’s perspective looking at the league as a whole, from our positions, everyone who’s involved in the league, should be, at some point, looking after the league and putting the league’s welfare in your thoughts should be important. We all want the league to thrive so not having really great players available definitely hurts our league.”

Collaros didn’t have much to say about the play or Marino’s release.

“It was a run play so it was just unexpected, but I think it’s been dealt with now so we’re just getting ready for (Saturday)” Collaros said. “… He’s not a member of the Blue Bombers and I wouldn’t even comment on that.”

INJURY UPDATE

Defensive lineman and Global player Thiadric Hansen suffered an Achilles injury in Sunday’s 20-18 victory over the Roughriders. O’Shea said Wednesday that Hansen is going to be out for a while.

In other injury news, safety Brandon Alexander and centre Michael Couture were full participants on Wednesday. Alexander split safety reps at practice with Nick Hallett.

Wide receiver Greg Ellingson and kick returner Janarion Grant didn’t participate.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31