Article content

REGINA — The past two seasons, Hamilton Tiger-Cats QB Zach Collaros hasn’t been healthy enough (knee and other injuries) to play against the Ottawa Redblacks in one meaningful game after another.

He wants the opportunity to face Redblacks QB Trevor Harris, his former teammate and housemate with the Toronto Argonauts.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Ticats QB Zach Collaros relishing offseason Back to video

“I think about it every day,” Collaros said during a player-availability session during Mark’s CFL Week, when he got to hang out a bit with guys like Ricky Ray, Jon Jennings, Drew Willy, Matt Nichols and Harris … and talk football. “I’m excited about this season. I have a lot more to prove. As a competitor, that’s the kind of attitude you need to have. It’s what’s been instilled in me since childhood: Never take the opportunities you’ve been given for granted.

“I watch film every day and trying to pick up things. I’ve been watching the NFL a lot lately, watching in particular Drew Brees and Tom Brady, and trying to pick up things from them.”

It has been a good off-season for Collaros, whose hometown is Steubenville, Ohio, also the place once called home by Jimmy The Greek Snyder and Dean Martin.

“I’m living back home with my parents (Dean and Michelle). My girlfriend (Nicole Stamkos) is in Toronto. I wind down hanging out with my family. As I get older, I cherish that more. I don’t get to see them for six months. I’ve got a five-year-old niece (Lucy) who I am just in love with. Being able to spend time with her is awesome.”

tbaines@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/TimCBaines