2015 CFL Free agents: what should the Argos do?

[Will]

Who is Diontae Spencer and what did he ever do in the Canadian Football League? I'm talking about coveted free agents here not some free agent that Barker gambles on.

[Wobbler]

The maximum salary cap increases by $50,000 to $5,050,000 for 2015.

The minimum salary cap also increases $50,000 to $4,450,000 for 2015. (The minimum cap has increased $450,000 since 2014.) I assume teams would be fined or lose draft picks if they spend below the minimum salary threshold.

Whoops - I was off by an order of magnitude. Thanks for the correction.

[Neely2005]

Who is Diontae Spencer and what did he ever do in the Canadian Football League? I'm talking about coveted free agents here not some free agent that Barker gambles on.

Curtis Steele?
Herve Tonye-Tonye?
Tyler Holmes?

[Will]

We are talking about notable FA's from other teams, not players who were simply re-signed by Barker. He'll go out and pick-up notable players such as Jermaine Copeland, Ricky Ray, Khalif Mitchell as well as re-acquire Ricky Foley, but when you think about it outside of Shea Emry, what noted FA's has Barker signed who came to Toronto with (i) a previous pedigree at the CFL level and (ii) were simply re-signed by Barker after the FA deadline.

[Neely2005]

We are talking about notable FA's from other teams, not players who were simply re-signed by Barker. He'll go out and pick-up notable players such as Jermaine Copeland, Ricky Ray, Khalif Mitchell as well as re-acquire Ricky Foley, but when you think about it outside of Shea Emry, what noted FA's has Barker signed who came to Toronto with (i) a previous pedigree at the CFL level and (ii) were simply re-signed by Barker after the FA deadline.

Lol you keep moving the goal posts. :-)

A free agent is a free agent regardless of where they come from. I would think that it's probably pretty rare that signing any free agent is "simple".

[Fumblitis]

We are talking about notable FA's from other teams, not players who were simply re-signed by Barker. He'll go out and pick-up notable players such as Jermaine Copeland, Ricky Ray, Khalif Mitchell as well as re-acquire Ricky Foley, but when you think about it outside of Shea Emry, what noted FA's has Barker signed who came to Toronto with (i) a previous pedigree at the CFL level and (ii) were simply re-signed by Barker after the FA deadline.

In my mind, the best long term strategy in building winners is 1. Draft well. 2. Recruiting youthful talent from the U.S./undrafted and junior Canadians. 3. Keep your core players. This is something Barker has done very well and let's face it, the Argos have been competitive at worst...contenders at best. So this fuss over how Barker is ignoring "noted" and "high priced" free agents, I might add, is moot.

[Wobbler]

Curtis Steele?
Herve Tonye-Tonye?
Tyler Holmes?

Come on. Re-signing some of your own draftees and recruits doesn't count as building your team through free agency.

[OV Argo]

In my mind, the best long term strategy in building winners is 1. Draft well. 2. Recruiting youthful talent from the U.S./undrafted and junior Canadians. 3. Keep your core players. This is something Barker has done very well and let's face it, the Argos have been competitive at worst...contenders at best. So this fuss over how Barker is ignoring "noted" and "high priced" free agents, I might add, is moot.

I don't see why you could not add to your list there: 4. - sign proven CFL player FAs from other CFL teams that might be a big help to your team and particularly in areas of need (like D-backfield or receiver for this Argo team - eg. Ottawa signed Jackson, Ellingson, Sinopoli as FAs and added Mo Price via trade = huge upgrade to their receiving corps there).

Could be Mr. Barker is limited there by financial restraints or concerns; IF it is more an ego thing where he thinks he can easily find better, new, younger (import) talent than some of these proven FAs, then IMO that is a big mistake, and he is hurting the team = IMO get lost.

[Neely2005]

Come on. Re-signing some of your own draftees and recruits doesn't count as building your team through free agency.

Why? Because that's your opinion?

[Fumblitis]

I don't see why you could not add to your list there: 4. - sign proven CFL player FAs from other CFL teams that might be a big help to your team and particularly in areas of need (like D-backfield or receiver for this Argo team - eg. Ottawa signed Jackson, Ellingson, Sinopoli as FAs and added Mo Price via trade = huge upgrade to their receiving corps there).

Could be Mr. Barker is limited there by financial restraints or concerns; IF it is more an ego thing where he thinks he can easily find better, new, younger (import) talent than some of these proven FAs, then IMO that is a big mistake, and he is hurting the team = IMO get lost.

Good point but like you said the "4th" would be plan D not plan A as some GM's do. Take the Argos secondary. Bunch of NFL practice roster players brought in. They were a very disoriented bunch early in the season and became one of the most improved groups by seasons end.

[Wobbler]

Why? Because that's your opinion?

I think it's a much more useful definition.

If we consider all FA-related signings including extending potential FA's, it remains obvious that the Argos were not very active from 2011-2014:

Edmonton: 41
Montreal: 40
Saskatchewan: 38
Winnipeg: 37

Toronto: 29
Hamilton: 28
Calgary: 27

BC: 15

[AngeloV]

Why? Because that's your opinion?

Everyone else seemed to know what AF87 meant. Re-signing your own player in any sport is not considered a signing of a free agent.

[Neely2005]

I think it's a much more useful definition.

If we consider all FA-related signings including extending potential FA's, it remains obvious that the Argos were not very active from 2011-2014:

Edmonton: 41
Montreal: 40
Saskatchewan: 38
Winnipeg: 37

Toronto: 29
Hamilton: 28
Calgary: 27

BC: 15

So we're right in the middle. 4 above and 3 below.

Everyone else seemed to know what AF87 meant. Re-signing your own player in any sport is not considered a signing of a free agent.

It is if they're a free agent.

I guess it would have been better to not resign them then?

In all sports to many fans & GMs fall in love with the hype of free agency. Teams that are built primarily through free agency are rarely successful.

[ArgoGabe22]

It is I'd they're a free agent.

Technically the re-signing of Tyler Holmes is not considered a FA signing since their contract did not expire at the time of the signing. It is simply a contract extension.

[Argo57]

So we're right in the middle. 4 above and 3 below.




It is I'd they're a free agent.

I guess it would have been better to not resign them then?

In all sports to many fans & GMs fall in love with the hype of free agency. Teams that are built primarily through free agency are rarely successful.

Don't think anyone is suggesting building this team through free agency, but as OV (posted above) selectively filling areas of need such as our defensive backfield with proven CFL talent would be a prudent strategy. No disrespect to you or Mr Tonye-Tonye but I wouldn't exactly classify him as a "coveted free agent".

[ArgoRavi]

I am still trying to figure out who Diontae Spencer is.

[Wobbler]

So we're right in the middle. 4 above and 3 below.

Therefore, argofan87's original statement "Barker hasn't been particularly active in free agency since he took over though" is completely accurate. I have no idea what you are objecting to.

[Neely2005]

Technically the re-signing of Tyler Holmes is not considered a FA signing since their contract did not expire at the time of the signing. It is simply a contract extension.

Fair enough but he was listed as one the Top 10 free agents available:

http://www.ottawasun.com/2015/01/29/...whittling-down

Don't think anyone is suggesting building this team through free agency, but as OV (posted above) selectively filling areas of need such as our defensive backfield with proven CFL talent would be a prudent strategy. No disrespect to you or Mr Tonye-Tonye but I wouldn't exactly classify him as a "coveted free agent".

As I mentioned the goal posts were moved. "Coveted" was added later.

I am still trying to figure out who Diontae Spencer is.

He was a free agent.

Therefore, argofan87's original statement "Barker hasn't been particularly active in free agency since he took over though" is completely accurate. I have no idea what you are objecting to.

He's been average in terms of activity. Not inactive as was suggested.

I think it's a much more useful definition.

If we consider all FA-related signings including extending potential FA's, it remains obvious that the Argos were not very active from 2011-2014:

Edmonton: 41
Montreal: 40
Saskatchewan: 38
Winnipeg: 37

Toronto: 29
Hamilton: 28
Calgary: 27

BC: 15

Grey Cup Winners:

2011: BC
2012: Toronto
2013: Saskatchewan
2014: Calgary

In all sports to many fans & GMs fall in love with the hype of free agency. Teams that are built primarily through free agency are rarely successful.

[Neely2005]

ARGONAUTS SIGN RECEIVER ANTHONY MCCLUNG:

http://argonauts.ca/article/argonaut...nthony-mcclung

[Neely2005]

Updates Argonauts signings:

TORONTO ARGONAUTS
PLAYER	POS	COLLEGE	STATUS
ADAMS, Darvin	WR	Auburn	Signed with WPG (02/10/15)
BARNES, Jason	SB	Sacramento State
BROWN, Ivan*	DL	Saskatchewan	Signed with WPG (02/10/15)
CARTER, Jalil	DB	Akron	Released (01/13/15)
CHILES, John	WR	Texas	Released (01/27/15)
HERBERT, Shane*	DB	Wilfred Laurier	Extended (12/11/14)
HOLMES, Tyler*	OL	Tulsa	Extended (01/30/15)
KING, Jarriel	OL	South Carolina	Extended (01/13/15)
MANN, Maurice	WR	Nevada
MCCOLLOUGH, Evan	DB	James Madison
ROGERS, SirVincent	OL	Houston	Signed with OTT (02/11/15)
STEELE, Curtis	RB	Memphis	Re-Signed with TOR (02/11/15)
THOMAS, Marcus	DL	Florida
TONYE-TONYE, Herve*	LB	Northern Colorado	Re-Signed with TOR (02/11/15)
WARE, Matt	DB	UCLA	Extended (01/09/15)
WATT, Spencer*	WR	Simon Fraser	Signed with HAM (02/10/15)
WOODSON, Anthony*	RB	Calgary	Signed with HAM (02/11/15)

http://www.cfl.ca/article/2015-free-agent-tracker