Brandon Underwood is back

[Wobbler]

Underwood, who we cut last August after he (apparently) failed to show up for practice after a trip, was re-signed today. After all of his unhappy tweets complaining about his treatment, I had assumed that there was bad blood and that he'd never reappear.

In case anyone has forgotten the drama, one of Ravi's old posts quotes a series of tweets where Underwood told his side of the story.

Well... he was good enough to start several games for us last year. Let's see how he competes against our new group. Jefferson and Owusu-Ansah seemed to do pretty well in the rookie camp, so hopefully the competition level is high.

[gilthethrill]

And puzzling move at best.

[ArgoRavi]

I never thought we would see Underwood back with the Argos. Barker and Milanovich really do believe in second chances.

[gilthethrill]

I never thought we would see Underwood back with the Argos. Barker and Milanovich really do believe in second chances.

No Ravi, Underwood is giving the Argos a second chance!

[D-Gap-Willie]

I never thought we would see Underwood back with the Argos. Barker and Milanovich really do believe in second chances.

He must have at least had a good story to tell to JB and SM or a really humble apology. I thought he had truly burned the bridge.

[doubleblue]

Starting to make me a little nervous with them bringing in several veteran cuts from other teams. Makes me wonder if some of the new recruits aren't what they thought they were. Last count we have OLB Issac, WR Johnson from Ottawa, Kelley from Hamilton and now Underwood back from Calgary.

[jerrym]

I am also concerned about the number of retreads the Argos are bringing in.

[ArgoRavi]

It is interesting to see concern about the number of free agents brought in from other teams as I have seen the complaint quite often on this forum over the last couple of years that Barker does not do this enough.

[gilthethrill]

It is interesting to see concern about the number of free agents brought in from other teams as I have seen the complaint quite often on this forum over the last couple of years that Barker does not do this enough.

Kackert and McCune, both Calgary cast offs worked out ok. If Aaron Kelly was signed shortly after Free Agency, I doubt he he would be classified as being cut from another CFL team. Why bring back Underwood though?????

[AngeloV]

I liked Underwood as a player. He may have gone overboard with his tweets after his release, but if he felt he was unjustly released, and he and the Argos have worked out the differences in opinion, I'm OK with that.

[Will]

I honestly don't remember what I thought of Underwood prior to his release.

[Jon Gonzo]

The Argos did nothing in the off season, so of course they need to make adjustments at this time.

Like it or not, this is a team that is in a position to have to pick up other teams so called 'castoffs.' Hey, it can work. It's worked before. But truth is, the Argos have some catching up to do.

New faces = discipline troubles and turnovers. That has been the calling card of this team for a couple of seasons now. Remember how excited everyone was with some of these new faces last year? Then think about how that went in Winnipeg to open the season.

Bring in as many experienced ballers as you can Jim. Coming out of those first 5 games at close to .500 will be essential, and to do it on the road, Toronto will need discipline and ball control.

[Argo57]

The Argos did nothing in the off season, so of course they need to make adjustments at this time.

Like it or not, this is a team that is in a position to have to pick up other teams so called 'castoffs.' Hey, it can work. It's worked before. But truth is, the Argos have some catching up to do.

New faces = discipline troubles and turnovers. That has been the calling card of this team for a couple of seasons now. Remember how excited everyone was with some of these new faces last year? Then think about how that went in Winnipeg to open the season.

Bring in as many experienced ballers as you can Jim. Coming out of those first 5 games at close to .500 will be essential, and to do it on the road, Toronto will need discipline and ball control.

His play was ordinary last season, alarm bells are chiming if they brought this guy back, wonder about the depth and quality of the DB recruits now.

[paulwoods13]

Lots of guys don't have a great start to their career but get it the second time around. I didn't think he was terrible last year in the fairly limited action he saw.

People are fretting way too much at this point. Some years everyone thinks a team will dominate and it doesn't happen, and some years everyone thinks a team will suck and it doesn't happen. Let's see them in a game or two before we all hit the panic button.

[Jon Gonzo]

Lots of guys don't have a great start to their career but get it the second time around. I didn't think he was terrible last year in the fairly limited action he saw.

People are fretting way too much at this point. Some years everyone thinks a team will dominate and it doesn't happen, and some years everyone thinks a team will suck and it doesn't happen. Let's see them in a game or two before we all hit the panic button.

The same optimism that was being afforded Underwood and Ware last year, is now being shined on AJ (Jefferson) and AK (Owusu-Ansah) this year.

We've seen that optimism bare fruit before with newcomers like Pat Watkins and Ahmad Carroll.

Point being, this is the time for new talent to shine. It is an easier time for talent to shine AND obviously, conversely, Underwood is good enough to;

1) Get drafted in the NFL
2) Play in the NFL
3) Make a CFL Roster

AND be good enough and intriguing enough a player to entice both Milanovich and Barker for another go.

The only thing I care about is that JB and SM make sure they set the table with as many practical options as humanly possible. Then I will leave it to them to choose the best of those options come cut down day.

My comments won't follow until following Game 1 (and beyond) as to whether I believe they made good choices, or not.

There is some good competition brewing in the backfield this year, and they stand to have a much better season given the Line and Backers.

[jerrym]

Starting to make me a little nervous with them bringing in several veteran cuts from other teams.

I think of quite a few players who bounced around before making it big. To cite just one example, Mike Pringle only gained 129 yards with Edmonton and 366 yards with Sacramento before going on to have a fair to middling career.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Pr...dian_football)

[AngeloV]

I think of quite a few players who bounced around before making it big. To cite just one example, Mike Pringle only gained 129 yards with Edmonton and 366 yards with Sacramento before going on to have a fair to middling career.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Pr...dian_football)

Jock Climie is another one. Timing is everything in pro sports. These are all good players, or they wouldn't have made their way to TC to begin with.