FAs the Argos could/should go after

[OV Argo]

Still say that Barker/the Argos should be searching far & wide and be using all possible means to upgrade the team / bring in TC competition - including going after some known CFL FAs = some good receivers, Henoc Muamba, Craig Butler, etc.; AND doing some smart drafting (should be able to get both an O-Lineman and a receiver if those are identified as areas of need - I'd include a DE as well; and Devon Bailey - even if he is on the oft questionable/debatable CFL "scouting" top prospects list, is hardly the only receiver up in this draft - I'd argue there are several more - Fox (Bishops), Uren (Western), Bastien (Concordia) - who might be rated as good or better (though none may be considered a sure-fire blue-chipper) - one of them should be available in the 2nd round if the Argos have a pick there.

We know Barker is fond of bringing in all kinds of his guys - FA finds from the States - and this should continue; just don't over-emphasize there at the expense of ignoring quality proven CFL FAs, or by thinking just "NI depth" with the draft.

[ArgoRavi]

We know Barker is fond of bringing in all kinds of his guys - FA finds from the States - and this should continue; just don't over-emphasize there at the expense of ignoring quality proven CFL FAs, or by thinking just "NI depth" with the draft.

I am sure that Barker thinks very much in this way. However, there is an SMS and teams tend to overpay for CFL free agents so that is a concern. A better route if you are looking at players from other teams is the trade route which Barker has used in the past (e.g., Khalif Mitchell). As for draft picks, the reality is that at #6, you may not get a guy who is ready to "start" although you might get one who can play significant snaps on offence or defence or you may draft one who still needs another two years of development. The Argos actually drafted a player in the second round last year who did see significant playing time on defence in Jermaine Gabriel so I don't think that Barker is thinking only in terms of non-import depth when he thinks about the draft.

[doubleblue]

Looking over the Argo roster I believe I counted 22 Canadians and 30 Imports give or take a few and of course a few of those are still officially unsigned. For Canadian starters I think they are pretty well set with Holmes, Keeping and Van Zeyl on the offensive line. Watt or Bradwell for a Canadian receiver spot. Durie at slot back. Cleyon Laing at a DE/DT spot and Matt Black or Jermaine Gabriel at safety. Jim Yurichuk could probably start at MLB if they needed it for the ratio, and if Greenwood finally comes on board MLB could well be another Canadian position. So Canadian depth would have to be the concern at those positions. OT looks good with Washington, King, Rogers and newcomer Young. Chad Owens, Childs, Barnes and Bryant are good receivers with some young blood needed if Barnes or Bryant start to falter, and we have the best QB in the League. Five import RB's now on the roster just in case Kackert needs help. Norwood and Steele were ok, but lets hope one of the newcomers Davis (Auburn) or Johnson (Oregon) can show a bit more and strengthen that position. Defense is where the question marks are IMO. The D Line was iffy last year, but you have to start with Mitchell and Laing and then try and upgrade from there. I like Horton and Ball at OLB and Lawrence and Watkins at CB. Canadian Tonye-Tonye was a good addition as a backup LB/RE/ST player and maybe could play the middle line backer position if needed. Defensive Back position was a revolving door last year with Morley, Colclough, Carter and Robinson left over. Barker has signed 8 year NFL vet S Matt Ware and another NFL vet CB Brandon Underwood so far. So who would fit from the FA list? As Ravi says Barker doesn't like to go out and overpay for a veteran FA. With the salary cap going up somewhat eventually this year maybe there could be a difference maker out there that wouldn't break the Bank so to speak, but I'm not sure. Barker maybe be keeping his powder dry for Greenwood and resign players like Watkins and extend Ball, Childs, Holmes, King etc. That all costs money and might be better than chasing one of the FA's.

[Argocister]

I like the individual team articles on the free agents available next week.

Nice to see Butler wants to test free agency ...... Would he fit Burkes system? The Argos would be a good place to land.
http://cfl.ca/article/2014-free-agen...an-roughriders

If Waters is testing the waters ..... yikes didn't mean that ...... Milo may be a good alternative I'm not too interested in Conji (released by the tabbies since they signed Medlock )

[ArgoGabe22]

Rumour has it we will sign Shea Emry. Huge signing. Cue the "ratio changer" tag.

[Will]

Shea Emery has signed with the Toronto Argos. #TSN #CFL #CFLFA14

— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) February 11, 2014

[ArgoRavi]

If Emry's signing is now official, it should ease many of the concerns on here.

[doubleblue]

DIdn't see that coming. But Shea Emry is an upgrade from last year IMO. Yurichuk and Tonye-Tonye give the Argos depth. Maybe Barker has moved on from trying to land Greenwood as the money won't be there now with Emry signing the big one.

[argonaut11xx]

If Emry's signing is now official, it should ease many of the concerns on here.

While losing McCune is tough (the guy is a beast, both physically, and on the field), he was probably going to follow Coach Jones to Edmonton anyways (as he did when Jone's went from Cal to Tor).

Emry is huge for the ratio as we all know, and i think brings an edge that will work well in a Tim Burke defence.

[ArgoRavi]

The Argos have lost backup Canadian offensive lineman Andrew Jones to Edmonton: http://www.cfl.ca/article/fa14-eskim...n-andrew-jones

[Argo57]

While losing McCune is tough (the guy is a beast, both physically, and on the field), he was probably going to follow Coach Jones to Edmonton anyways (as he did when Jone's went from Cal to Tor).

Emry is huge for the ratio as we all know, and i think brings an edge that will work well in a Tim Burke defence.

I liked McCune as well but absolutely love this signing for many reasons, Emry is a lot younger, helps our ratio and has a nasty streak in him that should set the tone for this defence this season!!!

[argotom]

Agreed Emry is the real deal and on top being a ratio buster.

[flafson]

Did i miss something? When did we lose McCune?

[Will]

McCune is a FA and the signing of Emry makes it 99.9% likely that he is done in double blue.