Free Agency 2013

[zontar]

The Ticats signed yet another free agent today in former Bomber LB Marcellus Bowman. I am not sure what to make of all of these signings by Hamilton. Signing a bunch of free agents from other teams does not tend to be the best way to build a football club. The Ticats did need a defensive overhaul and they are getting one but I just not sure how well this particular method will work for them. Having said this, if they can even get a mediocre defence out of these free agent moves and their offence performs as well this year as last, they could be Grey Cup contenders.

What exactly is the alternative ? Maintain the status quo or go out and sign unproven import rookies and tell season ticket holders after another disapointing season they might have to wait two years for them to develop, if at all ?

[paulwoods13]

So when you say that the coaches determined that Tristan Black "wasn't good enough" to start at LB, you really mean to say that he didn't fit into the team's plans at that particular time. You have said several times on this board that the coach's release of player x was proof that he "wasn't good enough", and I think that kind of absolutism gets the goat of OV and others including me. I dunno, maybe it's just semantics, but the truth is there is sometimes very little to distinguish one player's attributes from another's, so to say a guy gets cut or demoted to backup because he "wasn't good enough" is sometimes very unfair.

I don't think I have said flatly that a player was not good enough, without attributing that to a coaches' or team decision, but I may be wrong about that. There's no question I have said many, many times that I believed the coaches determined that someone wasn't good enough. I thought "in their judgment" was implicit in such a statement, and certainly at times I said exactly that. However, I take your (and OV's) point and I will endeavour to make my thoughts on this clearer and less inflammatory or absolute in the future.

[paulwoods13]

Foley and who else? I think after Belli returned he was the second NIMP, but before that what Canadian played regularly on defence last year? Matt Black got some snaps, but certainly not the majority of them.

I think the lack of NIMP starters on defence will be a big problem this year if Foley isn't re-upped.

After initially playing only as a sub for Foley, David Lee was on the field at the same time as Foley for the majority of his snaps, I would say. However, the amount of time both were on the field together was way below 50 per cent of overall defensive snaps. I agree that re-signing Foley would make things way easier for the ratio. If he doesn't re-sign, either Lee, a linebacker (Pottinger or Yurichuk, unless by some miracle Greenwood lands in our lap) or Matt Black will have to start. I'd personally like to see two NI starters on defence and six on offence (two receivers and four linemen) because using one extra NI provides much more roster flex in the event of an injury. I would have liked to see the Argos sign Bulcke for that reason.

[ArgoRavi]

What exactly is the alternative ? Maintain the status quo or go out and sign unproven import rookies and tell season ticket holders after another disapointing season they might have to wait two years for them to develop, if at all ?

Signing unproven import rookies worked out pretty well for the Argos in 2012.

[OV Argo]

Foley and who else? I think after Belli returned he was the second NIMP, but before that what Canadian played regularly on defence last year? Matt Black got some snaps, but certainly not the majority of them.

I think the lack of NIMP starters on defence will be a big problem this year if Foley isn't re-upped.

Ravi is incorrect (I'll bet - maybe hard to prove) if he really believes there were 2 NIs on defence for the Argos a majority of the time last year; Foley was the only regular; and there's no way either of Matt Black or David Lee were on the field a majority of the time on D; when Belli came back - he played quite a bit. Jones would rather play his guys on D I supsect.

SO - IF Foley does not return, it could equal a cliched good ole boy "ratio problem" if they just had to play a NI on defence to meet the minimum 7 (which of course they don't if they had 4 to 5 NIs at O-Line and 2 to 3 NI receivers "starting" - easily a possibility). However, with real, open TC competition - there are plenty of openings on D now with several starters gone - Matt Black could compete for a D-backfield job; David Lee at DE maybe; Yurichuck, Pottinger or Tonye-Tonye possibly, given a real shot to compete at MLB; Laing is signed and given a real shot to play at DT - and there's also some very good DT prospcts this draft; and some very good draftable DE propspects too who could possibly play right away; rookie NIs not often given much of a chance to play on D though by your typical CFL decision making "thinker" lately. With all those opening and possiblities, there is a chance one or more NI could play regularly on the Argo D.

Another option is to play one NI only on D, but not a regular starter necessarily; instead one NI on D on the field by committee approach, by subbing in and out different guys; I believe this approach was used by the Stamps a few years back when Jones was in charge of their D (and I believe they got away with bending the ratio rules there by sometimes having all imports on the field on their D with some DIs on defence, and after a NI "started" the game on D).

[paulwoods13]

I believe this approach was used by the Stamps a few years back when Jones was in charge of their D (and I believe they got away with bending the ratio rules there by sometimes having all imports on the field on their D with some DIs on defence, and after a NI "started" the game on D).

Very interesting. I've often wondered which official is responsible for monitoring the insertion of DIs -- I don't believe I have ever seen a player sent off the field or a penalty called for it. Would it be considered illegal substitution, or is it up to the on-field officials to catch and eject guys before the play starts?

[ArgoRavi]

Very interesting. I've often wondered which official is responsible for monitoring the insertion of DIs -- I don't believe I have ever seen a player sent off the field or a penalty called for it. Would it be considered illegal substitution, or is it up to the on-field officials to catch and eject guys before the play starts?

My understanding is that the head referee meets with the head coaches prior to the game and obtains their list of DIs. The on-field officials are supposed to keep track of these things IIRC. I am assuming that it would be an illegal substitution penalty.

Nowhere in the rulebook does it say that seven non-imports have to start. That number is arrived at by default as each team dresses 20 non-imports and 19 imports along with three QBs. Out of those 19 imports, three are designated imports meaning that no more than 16 imports can start which leaves the other seven spots automatically for Canadians. A DI can only replace another import so I am not sure how one can be sneaked in to replace a Canadian. The only thing I have ever wondered is how do they keep track of this in the preseason or do they even bother to?

[zontar]

Signing unproven import rookies worked out pretty well for the Argos in 2012.

Works out for everybody, HAM included, but not in so many areas that HAM needed to address.

[Invader]

Nowhere in the rulebook does it say that seven non-imports have to start. That number is arrived at by default as each team dresses 20 non-imports and 19 imports along with three QBs. Out of those 19 imports, three are designated imports meaning that no more than 16 imports can start which leaves the other seven spots automatically for Canadians. A DI can only replace another import so I am not sure how one can be sneaked in to replace a Canadian. The only thing I have ever wondered is how do they keep track of this in the preseason or do they even bother to?

I don't believe the import ratio is in effect during exhibition games.

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Here is an assesement of Yurichuck by a very knowledgable Lions poster ("Blitz"):

James Yurichuk was one of my favorite Leos. He lost out on a very close training camp battle to a player in Bighill who truly was the best middle linebacker in the league last season. Yurichuk got a lot of rotational reps last season until Eliminian rejoined our Leos. Yurichuk has excellent range, long arms, and talent. He is good enough to start on many teams. He was an excellent special teams player. I understand why he signed with his boyhood favorite team in the Argos. Toronto will also give Yurichuk more opportunity to play than here in B.C. with Bighill, Eliminian, and McKenzie on the roster.

I'd add that Yurichuck is an aggressive player who can punish opponents and has the ability to be a starter for the Argos.

[matchuk]

i dont know if im looking into this too much, but i have noticed foley retweeting a lot of people wanting him to sign in saskatchewan....he hasnt retweeted anyone from toronto that wants him back....

[KCargosfan]

i dont know if im looking into this too much, but i have noticed foley retweeting a lot of people wanting him to sign in saskatchewan....he hasnt retweeted anyone from toronto that wants him back....

I will try and see what happens

[Argoscflguy]

Cant we all just get along and discuss this over some wings and beer?

[OV Argo]

I don't believe the import ratio is in effect during exhibition games.

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Here is an assesement of Yurichuck by a very knowledgable Lions poster ("Blitz"):



I'd add that Yurichuck is an aggressive player who can punish opponents and has the ability to be a starter for the Argos.

Interesting, and agreed Blitz is a knowledgeable poster over at Lionbackers (maybe a bit of homer-ism going on though in declaring Bighill the best MLB in the league with the season Sherritt had); as a contrast - pretty sure I read a quite different reiview from one of our old pals on yet another CFL forum though (I think it was on Yurichuck, but it could have been the predictable bashing of another Canadian player). I hope Blitz and Invader are right and Yurichuck can be an impact player for the Argos.

[1argoholic]

I like what I've seen in Yurichuck and he just throws himself into tackles. I think this is a great signing.

[ArgoGabe22]

Judging by this tweet I'm guessing Mann has retired?

Maurice Mann III ‏@Mr_GAMTiME Football behind me officially... I'm on my Khalif shi*! Yeee #respect #makechoices #livewiththem!

That's a shame, I always thought he was a good receiver who understood what downfield blocking meant. Good for him to leave the game on his own terms, I assume. I don't think you would go from GC starter to no interest from other teams.

[ArgoGabe22]

Another note: Former Argo Cedric Gange-Marcoux also hanged up the cleats this past week. Looked to be a solid guard until the injuries got to him.

[ArgoRavi]

Another note: Former Argo Cedric Gange-Marcoux also hanged up the cleats this past week. Looked to be a solid guard until the injuries got to him.

The weird thing about Gagne-Marcoux is he just seemed to disappear suddenly last season. It would have been nice if someone from the media had actually asked some questions about him so that we fans would have known what happened to him but nobody did.

[ArgoGabe22]

The weird thing about Gagne-Marcoux is he just seemed to disappear suddenly last season. It would have been nice if someone from the media had actually asked some questions about him so that we fans would have known what happened to him but nobody did.

Well we all what Area51's thoughts were.

[matchuk]

That's a shame, I always thought he was a good receiver who understood what downfield blocking meant. Good for him to leave the game on his own terms, I assume. I don't think you would go from GC starter to no interest from other teams.

i agree...i really liked the guy...i also wondered too, why players who can still play would retire? i guess you know when you are done...at least he goes out a champ

[ArgoRavi]

Well we all what Area51's thoughts were.

What did Area 51 say about Gagne-Marcoux?