2015 CFL Free agents: what should the Argos do?

[gilthethrill]

Looks like Fred Stamps won't be back. He had the bulk of his 1000 yard seasons with Ricky Ray as his QB. His production has come down with Reilly and even more with Jones as HC.

Yes, I noticed Stamps was not on the field much Sunday. Has he fallen out of favour in Edmonton? I recall a couple years ago he played through a very painful testical issue (he got kicked there inadvertantly) and still put up good numbers. He maybe an upgrade over Jason Barnes.

[ArgoGabe22]

Yes, I noticed Stamps was not on the field much Sunday. Has he fallen out of favour in Edmonton? I recall a couple years ago he played through a very painful testical issue (he got kicked there inadvertantly) and still put up good numbers. He maybe an upgrade over Jason Barnes.

Barnes is a bigger target. I think we still need big body, especially if we fail to re-sign Watt, Barnes or Chiles. Stamps would be more insurance for Owens and Durie. I would go after SJ Green aggressively but it seems that Montreal is "home" according to his tweets.

[ArgoRavi]

Barnes is a bigger target. I think we still need big body, especially if we fail to re-sign Watt, Barnes or Chiles. Stamps would be more insurance for Owens and Durie. I would go after SJ Green aggressively but it seems that Montreal is "home" according to his tweets.

Green has always been loyal to the Alouettes. I remember that the Argos tried to bring him in back in '09 but Green, who was mostly on the Montreal bench at that time, decided to stay with the Als rather than go for the instant playing time in Toronto. Heck, Green hardly played his first three years in the league before emerging as a starter in 2010 but has always been appreciative of the Als giving him a chance to play pro football when nobody else would back in '07.

[Will]

Stamps is on the + side of 30 so perhaps it is natural decline?

[Stouffvillain]

If receiver is where you are looking to upgrade I like what Ernest Jackson did this year. He doesn't have the track record that someone like Stamps or Green have but his talent is there. Also he's from Rochester, went to Buffalo, so he may see the Argos as a homecoming.

[ArgoRavi]

Stamps is on the + side of 30 so perhaps it is natural decline?

I do wonder about that myself. I am not against the Argos bringing Stamps in but they have to find some younger guys as the current receiving corps is getting up there in age.

[Argo57]

I do wonder about that myself. I am not against the Argos bringing Stamps in but they have to find some younger guys as the current receiving corps is getting up there in age.

Agree regarding the development of some young receiving talent but having another quality veteran around might be a prudent move by Barker, no guarantees that Durie, Owens, Chiles etc can stay healthy for the whole season.

[Argocister]

Depending what type of injury Sinopoli had, he may be interested in returning to Ont.

[Stouffvillain]

Looking at the list there are quite a few decent Nationals that are available. I like what Sinopoli and Giguere at receiver.

There are some options along the O Line and D Line as well, Rottier, Willis and O'Donnell in Edmonton for example. Some of them ended the year on the injured list but perhaps that would give Barker some negotiating power. Wojt from Hamilton didn't play this year due to injury but has played well in the past and is still under 30.

[paulwoods13]

At this point I'm more focused on who will be recruiting free agents than who we will recruit. I am worried that Barker is going to be canned, and Milanovich is going to quit. While both men have made some mistakes on personnel, inducing either to leave would be a huge step backwards, IMO.

[Stouffvillain]

^ I agree with you on that. I hope both will be back, I assume they both will until I hear otherwise.

[doubleblue]

At this point I'm more focused on who will be recruiting free agents than who we will recruit. I am worried that Barker is going to be canned, and Milanovich is going to quit. While both men have made some mistakes on personnel, inducing either to leave would be a huge step backwards, IMO.

AS long as the current Owner and President are in place for next year I don't see Barker being let go. Now if MLSE or some other owner gets their hands on the team they may want to have "their guys" take over, which would be a mistake IMO. But one never knows, I have seen a lot of crazy things happen over the years with meddling owners.

[Argo57]

At this point I'm more focused on who will be recruiting free agents than who we will recruit. I am worried that Barker is going to be canned, and Milanovich is going to quit. While both men have made some mistakes on personnel, inducing either to leave would be a huge step backwards, IMO.

My concern as well Paul, this very possibility was raised during the Grey Cup pregame show, apparently Barker will be evaluated by upper management (presumably Rudge) which in itself is humourous, depending on the results Barker may or may not be back, subsequently Milanovich may "explore other options" as he is very close with Barker.
This whole thing is a colossal clusterf**k waiting to happen.
Any qualified GM or coaching replacements in my estimation would avoid the current Argonaut situation like the plague.
As I have said all along Barker and Milanovich should be commended for their efforts in making the best of a bad situation.
Personally I would be surprised if they wanted to return which would be a huge loss for this organization!

[Wobbler]

Hmm. The official list is actually quite a bit longer than the one I found last month. Saskatchewan has 28 guys on their list! Ours is merely longish:

ADAMS, Darvin WR Auburn
BARNES, Jason SB Sacramento State
BROWN, Ivan DL Saskatchewan
CARTER, Jalil DB Akron
CHILES, John WR Texas
HERBERT, Shane DB Wilfred Laurier
HOLMES, Tyler OL Tulsa
KING, Jarriel OL South Carolina
MANN, Maurice WR Nevada
MCCOLLOUGH, Evan DB James Madison
ROGERS, SirVincent OL Houston
STEELE, Curtis RB Memphis
THOMAS, Marcus DL Florida
TONYE-TONYE, Herve LB Northern Colorado
WARE, Matt DB UCLA
WATT, Spencer WR Simon Fraser
WOODSON, Anthony RB Calgary

Woodson looked fairly good in his limited time this year. I'd like to see him stick around; he might be capable of becoming our backup RB/FB next year.

[Fumblitis]

D

Hmm. The official list is actually quite a bit longer than the one I found last month. Saskatchewan has 28 guys on their list! Ours is merely longish:

ADAMS, Darvin WR Auburn
BARNES, Jason SB Sacramento State
BROWN, Ivan DL Saskatchewan
CARTER, Jalil DB Akron
CHILES, John WR Texas
HERBERT, Shane DB Wilfred Laurier
HOLMES, Tyler OL Tulsa
KING, Jarriel OL South Carolina
MANN, Maurice WR Nevada
MCCOLLOUGH, Evan DB James Madison
ROGERS, SirVincent OL Houston
STEELE, Curtis RB Memphis
THOMAS, Marcus DL Florida
TONYE-TONYE, Herve LB Northern Colorado
WARE, Matt DB UCLA
WATT, Spencer WR Simon Fraser
WOODSON, Anthony RB Calgary

Woodson looked fairly good in his limited time this year. I'd like to see him stick around; he might be capable of becoming our backup RB/FB next year.

All I know is I would like to take Curtis Steele off your hands.

[ArgoGabe22]

Maybe their options were declined. Isn't the standard CFL contract 1 year + 1 team option?

[ArgoRavi]

Hmm. The official list is actually quite a bit longer than the one I found last month. Saskatchewan has 28 guys on their list! Ours is merely longish:

ADAMS, Darvin WR Auburn
BARNES, Jason SB Sacramento State
BROWN, Ivan DL Saskatchewan
CARTER, Jalil DB Akron
CHILES, John WR Texas
HERBERT, Shane DB Wilfred Laurier
HOLMES, Tyler OL Tulsa
KING, Jarriel OL South Carolina
MANN, Maurice WR Nevada
MCCOLLOUGH, Evan DB James Madison
ROGERS, SirVincent OL Houston
STEELE, Curtis RB Memphis
THOMAS, Marcus DL Florida
TONYE-TONYE, Herve LB Northern Colorado
WARE, Matt DB UCLA
WATT, Spencer WR Simon Fraser
WOODSON, Anthony RB Calgary

Woodson looked fairly good in his limited time this year. I'd like to see him stick around; he might be capable of becoming our backup RB/FB next year.

Who don't we want from that list? Many on this forum don't seem too keen on Adams and McCollough's best before date seemed to have past a year ago. Although I appreciated Maurice Mann's contributions this season, the Argos thought it was time to walk away from him after the 2012 season so I can't imagine that there will be any urgency to re-sign him. Marcus Thomas is probably done as an Argo and Tonye-Tonye played little this season which likely means that he too is done with the Argos (Edmonton-bound perhaps?). Other than that, I would have no issue with anyone else being brought back and hope that the majority are.

Maybe their options were declined. Isn't the standard CFL contract 1 year + 1 team option?

The new collective bargaining agreement eliminated the option year which is why someone like Adams, who only signed a new contract this year, is already a free agent.

[ArgoGabe22]

I agree Ravi. I would let Thomas, Adams, Mccollough walk with Tonye-Tonye and Ware on the bubble. I think the Argos liked Ware at LB instead of a DB but we now have Greenwood.

Mann retired, whether he wanted to or if no team was interested is unknown. King may walk with him being our 6th lineman and if another team like Ottawa makes him an instant starter. Holmes seems to be interested in the NFL again and Watt may be on BC's radar (hometown).

[paulwoods13]

Who don't we want from that list? Many on this forum don't seem too keen on Adams and McCollough's best before date seemed to have past a year ago. Although I appreciated Maurice Mann's contributions this season, the Argos thought it was time to walk away from him after the 2012 season so I can't imagine that there will be any urgency to re-sign him. Marcus Thomas is probably done as an Argo and Tonye-Tonye played little this season which likely means that he too is done with the Argos (Edmonton-bound perhaps?). Other than that, I would have no issue with anyone else being brought back and hope that the majority are.

I agree. I especially want every NAT brought back, including Tonye-Tonye whom I'd like to see in action before writing him off. But the fact he has hardly dressed in two years means he's likely a goner.

[Argo57]

Hmm. The official list is actually quite a bit longer than the one I found last month. Saskatchewan has 28 guys on their list! Ours is merely longish:

ADAMS, Darvin WR Auburn
BARNES, Jason SB Sacramento State
BROWN, Ivan DL Saskatchewan
CARTER, Jalil DB Akron
CHILES, John WR Texas
HERBERT, Shane DB Wilfred Laurier
HOLMES, Tyler OL Tulsa
KING, Jarriel OL South Carolina
MANN, Maurice WR Nevada
MCCOLLOUGH, Evan DB James Madison
ROGERS, SirVincent OL Houston
STEELE, Curtis RB Memphis
THOMAS, Marcus DL Florida
TONYE-TONYE, Herve LB Northern Colorado
WARE, Matt DB UCLA
WATT, Spencer WR Simon Fraser
WOODSON, Anthony RB Calgary

Woodson looked fairly good in his limited time this year. I'd like to see him stick around; he might be capable of becoming our backup RB/FB next year.

Fairly unimpressive list to be honest, Carter's play improved this season (before his injury) Chiles was a huge disappointment as well, wouldn't sweat losing any of these guys.