Argonauts release Marcus Ball to pursue NFL opportunity

[Argo57]

Toronto Argonauts release Marcus Ball today to pursue NFL opportunities.
Pretty much no one left from our championship defence!

TSN.ca Staff
2/17/2014 4:44:54 PM
Marcus Ball is no longer a Toronto Argonaut.

The 26-year-old linebacker was released by the club on Monday.

The University of Memphis product has spent the last two seasons with the Argonauts where he was a part of the 2012 Grey Cup champion squad and returned interceptions for touchdowns in each season.

Last November following the Argos' loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East final, there was some speculation that Ball would seek to sign with an NFL team, something he referred to as a "dream." Ball tweeted late on Sunday night "Bout to get/take my shot... Yall pray for me... Here we go #GETBALL" potentially referring to a move south.

Ball's release comes on the heels of the team signing of All-Star linebacker Shea Emry from the Montreal Alouettes last week.

[bigzee19]

Not to sound like a damn broken record..... But um you had to get McCune back NOW..... I know I know I should shut up about him but come on........ It's not like Shea is going to be able to do everything himself..... Good luck Marcus.

[argotom]

Not to sound like a damn broken record..... But um you had to get McCune back NOW..... I know I know I should shut up about him but come on........ It's not like Shea is going to be able to do everything himself..... Good luck Marcus.

I agree with you.
Even at 35 McCune still has a lot in the tank and could have been slotted in the middle with Shea beside on either side.

[ArgoGabe22]

I don't think Emry signed with the Argos to play OLB.

[Argocister]

Good luck to Marcus .... for selfish reasons I'd like you back ..... but lets hope Barker , Burke and company can get this defense rolling. That is one big set of shoes to fill.

[paulwoods13]

McCune is gone. He can only play MLB, and while Emry can play OLB, he is way more effective as a true MLB. McCune had an excellent season but Emry was every bit as good in 2012 and is younger and a non-import, plus McCune was a Jones guy. So it's a pretty easy decision to let him go.

I'm not at all convinced Marcus will make it in the NFL -- would not be surprised if he's back by Labour Day. Other than as a special teamer, I don't think he has a natural position in 11-man football.

[ArgoGabe22]

He's not a LB in the NFL. I don't know what they're thinking in doing with him because to me he can only be a safety there.

[Argo57]

McCune is gone. He can only play MLB, and while Emry can play OLB, he is way more effective as a true MLB. McCune had an excellent season but Emry was every bit as good in 2012 and is younger and a non-import, plus McCune was a Jones guy. So it's a pretty easy decision to let him go.

I'm not at all convinced Marcus will make it in the NFL -- would not be surprised if he's back by Labour Day. Other than as a special teamer, I don't think he has a natural position in 11-man football.

That's how I see it as well Paul, once again a "goodwill" gesture by the Argonauts, might as well let him get his NFL aspirations out of the way once and for all. I feel the McCune ship has sailed as well, no choice but to get younger on defence and start fresh with the new DC.
Sucks to see some good players leave but it does keep it interesting for sure.

[Wobbler]

We definitely have some recruitment work to do at OLB. After Horton we have a long list of DB/LB hybrids who are useful guys but not all-star candidates IMHO.

[Invader]

I guess Marcus Ball had another year on his contract. He's now a free agent and could sign with the Ticats tomorrow, like Collaros did when he was released early and Watkins who signed with the Esks and Kuale who signed in Montreal, etc. You would hope these players appreciate the gesture by the Argos to release them from their contracts. Most CFL teams make players wait until they're free agents to tryout in the NFL...or to sign in Hamilton or Edm.

[Argo57]

I guess Marcus Ball had another year on his contract. He's now a free agent and could sign with the Ticats tomorrow, like Collaros did when he was released early and Watkins who signed with the Esks and Kuale who signed in Montreal, etc. You would hope these players appreciate the gesture by the Argos to release them from their contracts. Most CFL teams make players wait until they're free agents to tryout in the NFL...or to sign in Hamilton or Edm.

What you hope is that they show some honour to Mr Barker and the organization for treating them respectfully!!!

[ArgoGabe22]

1) Watkins was not released.
2) They knew Collaros was going to sign with another team, it was not an NFL tryout release
3) Kuale was going to become a FA and was released early to go to the NFL. After that didn't work out, he signed with MTL weeks after Free Agency had begun so we didn't lose him. He was a FA.

I have no problem with what the Barker has done in the past.

Now, with all this talent the Argos are finding, they should get some sort of compensation from the NFL perhaps a transfer fee like in soccer. That would make the franchise some money. Just an idea.

[OV Argo]

1) Watkins was not released.
2) They knew Collaros was going to sign with another team, it was not an NFL tryout release
3) Kuale was going to become a FA and was released early to go to the NFL. After that didn't work out, he signed with MTL weeks after Free Agency had begun so we didn't lose him. He was a FA.

I have no problem with what the Barker has done in the past.

Now, with all this talent the Argos are finding, they should get some sort of compensation from the NFL perhaps a transfer fee like in soccer. That would make the franchise some money. Just an idea.

The NFL ain't gonna go for that idea (i highly doubt). But - i mentioned this before - Barker/Argos could ask for a fee from the player to be released early from his Argo contract - pay back a bit of the salary you earned from the Argos, or give up some NFL money (signing bonus / contract money if you make it) -as appreciation for being let out of your valid CFL contract; even 20 grand or so - which go towards signing a free agent to help replace the guy being let go.

Like to see Horton get a shot at Ball's OLB spot - not sure he is near as good, but seemed to be a solid defensive play-maker last season as a rookie; then - need another OLB (recent signing of NFL vet Matt Ware could be that guy?); and why couldn't McCune be retained - as a vet presence on D who could play some MLB OR DE in certain packages ?

[Antwon]

With this I would have liked them to make an offer to Jamal Johnson.
His best years were at OLB. last year he was shifted to MLB.

[Argo57]

Perhaps with our abundance of quality O-Linemen a trade could be in the offing down the road for some proven defensive help.

[gilthethrill]

There was once a time when a player was released because he was not talented enough to make a team. Now they are released because they seem to be too talented. This is getting repetitive.

[AngeloV]

Hate to see him go, but have no problem with what the Argos did. If they were to hold him back he would be unhappy, and you don't want an unhappy player in camp. Big opportunity for Horton here. I didn't see Horton and Ball both starting anyway as they are both more WILL style LB's than SAM LB's. I don't see either of them being able to line-up against a slot back in man coverage.

Basically, it's a blow to the depth at the position at the point.

[paulwoods13]

He's not a LB in the NFL. I don't know what they're thinking in doing with him because to me he can only be a safety there.

The thing is, there are actually two quite different positions down there -- free safety and strong safety. I don't think he's fast enough to play free, or big enough to play strong. I guess he could be a good nickel back in addition to playing special teams.

[bluto]

could be a SS in the NFL... i think he's plenty big enough for that role.

[doubleblue]

Yes I think Ball's position in the NFL would have to be strong safety and special teams. Major Culbert didn't look out of place the last game of the season at OLB, so he will probably be in the mix as a replacement.
I would like to see the CFL go back to previous agreement they had with the NFL, where players could go down there in their option year and then had to come back to their CFL team if cut. Releasing players just doesn't look good in print IMO. Obviously the Argos weren't in favour of changing the rule and doesn't look like there is much unity at the owner level on this. They should be 100% one way or the other.