Barker FA status updates

**ArgoGabe22** · 02-12-2014, 10:52 AM

Watkins has signed with Jones in Edmonton. Biggest loss IMO will be Watkins. I wonder if he purposely snubbed us or was just busy with his studies?

**matchuk** · 02-12-2014, 11:39 AM

well, im really excited about the emry signing...i think that is a huge upgrade for us, and now he finally wont burn us like he has so many times in the past...as for watkins, that will be a huge loss...

**bluto** · 02-12-2014, 12:08 PM

Sucks about Watkins.

i was hoping that he'd remember howpatient the organization was with him last season during his "personal issues" and that he might show us some loyalty.

Intrigued by the Emry acquisition. i think that he will fit into Burke's established NI MLB paradigm.

**Neely2005** · 02-12-2014, 02:32 PM

Toronto Argonauts the early winners in CFL free agency:

http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/...l-free-agency/

**ArgoRavi** · 02-12-2014, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by ArgoGabe22

Watkins has signed with Jones in Edmonton. Biggest loss IMO will be Watkins. I wonder if he purposely snubbed us or was just busy with his studies?

I suspect that the Argos had little chance at re-signing Watkins after Jones left for Edmonton.

**OV Argo** · 02-12-2014, 03:13 PM

David Lee to the Riders - according to Riderfans.

**ArgoGabe22** · 02-12-2014, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by OV Argo

David Lee to the Riders - according to Riderfans.

I wonder how Area51 feels about this. I hope Lee gets a lot of reps at DE.

**eiben35** · 02-12-2014, 03:50 PM

Love the Shea Emry signing. I guess Yurichuck and Tonye-Tonye are going to be the back-ups in case Emry gets banged up. He loves oplaying in Tim Burke's defence as opposed to Noel Thorpe's. That is one of the reasons that he signed here. I have a feeling that Casey Creehan will be a coach here as well. Good luck Shea.

**eiben35** · 02-12-2014, 03:53 PM

Liked the Scott Mitchell signing but I don't know what happened with him in Edmonton. The Esks were all excited when they drafted him high about three years ago. Maybe injuries hurt him a bit. Will be a good relacement for Andrew Jones.

**eiben35** · 02-12-2014, 03:55 PM

Can anyone give me there thoughts on David Lee and whether or not we will miss him? I've beeen a fan for the past couple of years but I'm wondering if he was a bit too slow and not strong enough to play well on the dee-line.

**OV Argo** · 02-12-2014, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by ArgoGabe22

I wonder how Area51 feels about this. I hope Lee gets a lot of reps at DE.

Lee would be rated a useless stiff by that great scout 51 - as befalls pretty well any NI / CIS player or any other DE in the CFL not named Foley - he said on Riderfans. last spring that Lee would get cut by the Argos.

**paulwoods13** · 02-12-2014, 05:40 PM

I cannot begin to convey how fervently I am hoping that Lee beats out Foley. According to A535 there is no chance of that happening in a million years. We'll see.

**294life** · 02-12-2014, 06:50 PM

Argofan87's belle is quite upset over this as are many Als fans. I'm fine with it myself.

**doubleblue** · 02-12-2014, 07:42 PM

I thought David Lee had good speed for a D Lineman. Still learning to play the game IMO. I guess the Riders were looking for some depth behind Foley. The Argos have sixth pick in the draft, I wonder now if they are looking at the DT from Manitoba Gill. He is rated #6. They need a depth guy behind Laing.

**Argocister** · 02-12-2014, 09:16 PM

So with Lee not resigning .... Do you think it was ....
i) he wanted to try other offers.... Which means we didn't have or want to spend the money on him
ii) he really doesn't fit in Burkes system?

.... Or of course all of the above

**argolio** · 02-12-2014, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by ArgoGabe22

Watkins has signed with Jones in Edmonton. Biggest loss IMO will be Watkins. I wonder if he purposely snubbed us or was just busy with his studies?

Maybe Jones was the only person who had his phone number.

**ArgoRavi** · 02-12-2014, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by Argocister

So with Lee not resigning .... Do you think it was ....
i) he wanted to try other offers.... Which means we didn't have or want to spend the money on him
ii) he really doesn't fit in Burkes system?

.... Or of course all of the above

Barker sounded like he wanted Lee back but he mentioned how Lee wanted to see what he could get on the open market. I thought that Lee's play wasn't quite as strong last year as in 2012 but his best game may have been the game that the Argos won in Regina. It is unfortunate to see him go, especially considering the excellent job that the Argos did in finding Lee as a free agent in the first place but so it goes.