The Argos added Marcus Alford to the PR yesterday.
That might suggest not so great news for Josh Mitchell.
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The Argos added Marcus Alford to the PR yesterday.
That might suggest not so great news for Josh Mitchell.
too bad if true (re: Mitchell), play happened early in game 1 too.
Seems like a sensible move. Alford played 11 games last year and though I didn't watch him carefully, it appeared as if he played reasonable well. Was a rookie last year (23 years old), so he may well improve with more experience. Suspect Harris, who is on the active list, will dress in place of Mitchell and Rose or even Alford move from P.R. to active roster.
This is not surprising, and a good move. Mitchell was clearly very badly injured -- he appeared to be in a lot of pain on the trainer's table after being helped off the field, and came back to the field later in a full leg boot. Safe to assume he's done for the year. Alford was (along with Berry) a somewhat surprising cut so it's good to bring him right back as he already knows CC's system.
Alford showed some promise last year and should be better with experience.
I just noticed that last week we "traded" Jeff Perrett to Montreal, presumably so he could retire as an Al.
McFadden has been released. Honestly is anyone surprised ?
Curtis Newton was released as well, a little surprising this early in his career I suppose.
I guess we're content with Plummer as Woods' backup, so yeah, McFadden was expendable. Onyeka (and maybe Herdman) passed Newton on the depth chart, so... might as well safe the money, I guess.
We dressed Oneyka for games 1 and 3.
Oneyka and Woodson look like they will be the best players from this past year draft. There are two more Oneyko's on the way (cousins or brothers)? I believe. Both played in the CIS East/West all star Bowl this spring. Kene Oneyka (6'3 240) LB/DE at Carleton and Godfrey Oneyka (6'3 205) DB at Laurier.
Godfrey ( i beleive Nakas' brother ?) is a big corner and has been a CIS all-star; his 40 time was a bit disappointing at this past East/West game Combine, but he might be a top draft pick (likely converted to safety?) - does not look like a real deep CFL draft crop upcoming for next year, IMO.
This week we cut WR Jamel Johnson from the PR and added DB Alden Darby, who was an all-star safety with Arizona State before bouncing around on NFL PRs and IRs.
Jamel Johnson looked good in pre season. Like a Jamel Richardson clone
His TD reception from Prukop did look nice, and I thought he might be a candidate for promotion now that we've run into some receiver injuries. Guess not!
We signed WR Kendall Sanders to the PR today. He had an... *interesting* college career, culminating in a productive season with Arkansas State last year.
With Fuller and Posey and Worthy out, the WR ranks are pretty thin and it can't hurt to add another. Devon Wylie comes off the 6-game a week Saturday and i can't wait to see how he does under the Trestman system. In the meantime it's a great opportunity for Canadian guys to get more playing time. Maybe Jones is finally ready. Question: Why did Jimmy Ralph get the starting WR spot ahead of Llevi Noel? I thought Noel should have been "next man up".
According to his twitter matt black says he has to be released...
@mattblack39
Dear @TorontoArgos fans. I have be released by the team. I'll have more to say once I collect my thoughts. #Thankful
A little surprising, but not overly. He likely makes much bigger coin than rookie Woodson or Matt Webster, and he's not going to pass Gabriel on the depth chart again. I hope he can catch on somewhere. Good guy and has really nice parents. Have spoken with them at practice many times.
Another player who was a fan favourite and gave his all for the team, is released--like Durie and Foley. Perhaps necessary, in the opinion of the coaches but still sad.
Black probably deserves his own thread, but Devon Wylie was also released.
It definitely is sad to see Matt released. He's been a leader and a loyal soldier for many years. Unfortunately, Woodson does everything he used to do for us, and is younger and cheaper. Worth remembering that Black was not signed until just before camp. He was probably an insurance policy; I suspect if he hadn't got hurt in camp, he'd have been released before the season.
Devon Wylie is released as well which is a bit more of a surprise to me than Black. Perhaps Jackson's play made him expendable?
Not surprised by move both moves
It is a quantum leap, to go from a statement, that it is sad to see a fan favourite being released, to inferring the statement implies that the team should "keep these guys in the line-up if they are no longer helping the team".
It is entirely possible that Black with his experience and versatility could still contribute, especially as a back-up. However it is completely understandable that the team might want to go in a different direction with a younger and cheaper player, like Woodson.
Professional sports teams are always looking to the possible replacement of a veteran with a younger, cheaper player particularly if the younger player appears to have a greater potential upside. Understandable--yes. Necessary--yes. Inevitable--yes. However, it still sad when it does occur, especially when it is a local player who is a fan favourite.
The team's announcement of Black's release was classy and tasteful. It complimented Black's accomplishments and achievements over his career both on the field and within the community. Kudos to the team in handling this in a positive and professional manner.
I'm surprised Wylie lasted through camp. Maybe he did because they weren't sure if the other receivers would produce once the season began.
WR/KR is an interesting skill set. I think we knew we had recruited/acquired better receivers but weren't sure about the return game. Wylie's release is probably a statement of confidence in Jackson and a sign that Worthy will be back before too long.
As Wylie is a veteran, I am pretty sure that the Argos couldn't just release him when he was injured in training camp. They had to wait for him to get healthy before cutting him loose. Certainly, the play of other receivers and Martese Jackson made this an easy move.