Special Teams

[paulwoods13]

We are going to see a big change this year with the loss of our coach (O'Shea), our captain (Johnson) and a real stalwart (Pottinger). Plus over the past few years we have also lost Bryan Crawford, a fantastic special teamer, and Noel Prefontaine, who despite his late-career issues with distance and accuracy was always a very smart player who could execute a fake punt as well as anyone.

I can't wait to find out who our new ST coach is. As for replacing the key guys, I would think Yurichuk probably moves into the JJ role as captain and signal-caller on punts. Bradwell is great on STs but wasn't very healthy last season. Gabriel is a great downfield tackler but his ST time may become limited if he moves into a starting spot in the secondary. Other guys who could become key are Tonye-Tonye, Hood and Woodson.

Speaking of coaches, there are reports on riderfans that Stephen MacAdoo will be hired as Edmonton's OC, so we may be looking for an O-line coach as well as a ST co-ordinator.

[paulwoods13]

Further to this, the scuttlebutt in Hamilton is that with Medlock signed by the Ticats, they will let Josh Bartel go. Bartel is a hell of a punter -- is he good enough for us to sign him and use Waters (assuming he re-signs) on placements and kickoffs only? Hate to use two spots on kickers but a Waters/Bartel combo could be really, really strong.

[Argo]

Further to this, the scuttlebutt in Hamilton is that with Medlock signed by the Ticats, they will let Josh Bartel go. Bartel is a hell of a punter -- is he good enough for us to sign him and use Waters (assuming he re-signs) on placements and kickoffs only? Hate to use two spots on kickers but a Waters/Bartel combo could be really, really strong.

A rather intriguing idea, given that Bartel is classified as non-import. My initial reaction, though, is that signing Bartel and specializing Waters (assuming that he re-signs) probably would not add sufficient value to justify consuming another roster spot c/w decent salary. Waters has already demonstrated that he can perform all kicking tasks.

[Argo]

An alternative future (Waters did not re-sign)... the Argos' play their home games in Shangri-La, Medlock kicks field goals, Bartel handles punting.

[ArgoRavi]

Speaking of coaches, there are reports on riderfans that Stephen MacAdoo will be hired as Edmonton's OC, so we may be looking for an O-line coach as well as a ST co-ordinator.

The one assistant that I most fear losing is Steve McAdoo because I think that he has done an excellent job developing the Argo offensive line. About all that Milanovich can offer him would be the assistant head coach position but an offensive coordinator offer would likely trump that.

[Argocister]

With the loss of O'Shea, I'm thinking our special teams unit will be a little less special. Swayze has only been in the league now for a couple years, but I do feel his experience on punting is much more than Bartels ..... I think we leave Bartels alone.
Pre would be awesome to have back with the team , especially assisting with special teams. He has the experience and the know how for the CFL special teams planning and possible trickery. ( which I love to watch.... I couldn't be a special teams coach I think I would do trick plays all the time)

[Argo]

With the loss of O'Shea, I'm thinking our special teams unit will be a little less special. Swayze has only been in the league now for a couple years, but I do feel his experience on punting is much more than Bartels ..... I think we leave Bartels alone.
Pre would be awesome to have back with the team , especially assisting with special teams. He has the experience and the know how for the CFL special teams planning and possible trickery. ( which I love to watch.... I couldn't be a special teams coach I think I would do trick plays all the time)

It's rather difficult to imagine - all things being equal and if he wants the job - Prefontaine not being hired as the Argos' new Special Teams Coordinator.

[paulwoods13]

It's rather difficult to imagine - all things being equal and if he wants the job - Prefontaine not being hired as the Argos' new Special Teams Coordinator.

I like Pre and have suggested he is a candidate, but I'm not sure what would be considered "all things being equal." If it means all candidates have no coaching experience, then he might get it based on his relationship with the org. But if he is up against an experienced ST coach, say Marcello Simmons, I have no problem imagining Pre not getting the job.

[Argo]

I like Pre and have suggested he is a candidate, but I'm not sure what would be considered "all things being equal." If it means all candidates have no coaching experience, then he might get it based on his relationship with the org. But if he is up against an experienced ST coach, say Marcello Simmons, I have no problem imagining Pre not getting the job.

Fair enough; I hadn't considered an experienced Argonauts alumnus as competitor for the job. Though Prefontaine has more going for him than just his relationship with the organization. He does have vast (as in league-high) special teams experience and many years of successful interaction with teammates (sans Baker), so he's actually much better qualified for the job than O'Shea was when he was hired. The only sticking point that I can see would be "can he teach?". I dare say that he can.

[paulwoods13]

Fair enough; I hadn't considered an experienced Argonauts alumnus as competitor for the job. Though Prefontaine has more going for him than just his relationship with the organization. He does have vast (as in league-high) special teams experience and many years of successful interaction with teammates (sans Baker), so he's actually much better qualified for the job than O'Shea was when he was hired. The only sticking point that I can see would be "can he teach?". I dare say that he can.

Are you suggesting that O'Shea had something less than successful interaction with teammates? If so, I have to disagree.

Also, O'Shea played special teams all of his career and had to do more on STs than just kick and throw the odd pass -- he had to block, rush the kicker, set up blocking schemes, make downfield tackles, etc. I am not saying Prefontaine is not qualified to become a ST coach, but I think it's wrong to suggest he is more qualified at this point than O'Shea was when he was given the job.

[larz-7]

speaking of O Shea i am still having a hard time seeing him in the local paper here.It just doesn't seem right.Wish him the best but

[ArgoRavi]

speaking of O Shea i am still having a hard time seeing him in the local paper here.It just doesn't seem right.Wish him the best but

It will take a little getting used to seeing him on the Winnipeg sidelines. I am just glad that the Bombers are no longer in our division although some of you might say otherwise because they have been an easy mark of late.

[Argo]

Are you suggesting that O'Shea had something less than successful interaction with teammates? If so, I have to disagree.

To clarify, I'm not suggesting that.

[paulwoods13]

To clarify, I'm not suggesting that.

Thanks for clarifying.

[Will]

It will take a little getting used to seeing him on the Winnipeg sidelines. I am just glad that the Bombers are no longer in our division although some of you might say otherwise because they have been an easy mark of late.

Ottawa will theoretically struggle for a year or two.

[ArgoRavi]

Ottawa will theoretically struggle for a year or two.

It will be interesting to see if they are better than Winnipeg in 2014 though. I wouldn't bet against it.