2015 CFL Free agents: what should the Argos do?

**Wobbler** · 02-13-2015, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by AngeloV

Still kind of makes the league look bad, if they can't keep their website up to date for their fans.

It would be nice if these sorts of things were updated promptly and if cfl.ca wasn't so 2010-ish in design, but the league probably does have more important priorities.

So, Angelo. If you had to choose between signing Jason Barnes, Bakari Grant, Aaron Kelly, or just reserving the cash to spend on a new receiver recruit, what would you do? IMHO, with the departures of Chiles and Watt and the age of both Owens and Durie, we *need* a good vet for the receiving corps and I'd sign one of them (Grant>Barnes>Kelly) ASAP.

**hugoagogo** · 02-14-2015, 12:51 AM

Thanks doubleblue & ArgoRavi!

**jerrym** · 02-14-2015, 02:12 AM

Between the lousy job of promoting the Argos and the lack of recruiting, I am deeply worried about the upcoming season.

**AngeloV** · 02-14-2015, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by Wobbler

It would be nice if these sorts of things were updated promptly and if cfl.ca wasn't so 2010-ish in design, but the league probably does have more important priorities.

So, Angelo. If you had to choose between signing Jason Barnes, Bakari Grant, Aaron Kelly, or just reserving the cash to spend on a new receiver recruit, what would you do? IMHO, with the departures of Chiles and Watt and the age of both Owens and Durie, we *need* a good vet for the receiving corps and I'd sign one of them (Grant>Barnes>Kelly) ASAP.

I think I'd go for Bakari Grant of the 3, but would have no issues with Barnes returning. Like many others he was hurt last season, so very difficult to judge him based on last year.

Originally Posted by jerrym

Between the lousy job of promoting the Argos and the lack of recruiting, I am deeply worried about the upcoming season.

You and me both. I've have been upset since the 2nd home game in 2014 vs Calgary. IMO, there were no more than 10,000 people in the stands that game. I used to blame wannabe American Torontonians for the lack of fan support the Argos get, but how can you blame the public when the ownership doesn't appear to give a damn?

**Argo57** · 02-14-2015, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by Wobbler

It would be nice if these sorts of things were updated promptly and if cfl.ca wasn't so 2010-ish in design, but the league probably does have more important priorities.

So, Angelo. If you had to choose between signing Jason Barnes, Bakari Grant, Aaron Kelly, or just reserving the cash to spend on a new receiver recruit, what would you do? IMHO, with the departures of Chiles and Watt and the age of both Owens and Durie, we *need* a good vet for the receiving corps and I'd sign one of them (Grant>Barnes>Kelly) ASAP.

Imperative that they sign 1 if not 2 of the the vets you listed, I would go Grant and Kelly, based on last season you have to plan on some injuries happening, Owens and Durie aren't getting any younger.

**Wobbler** · 02-16-2015, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by AngeloV

I think I'd go for Bakari Grant of the 3, but would have no issues with Barnes returning. Like many others he was hurt last season, so very difficult to judge him based on last year.

I'm a bit surprised that nothing has happened yet. The early FA signing flurry is over, and none of those guys have any NFL prospects.

Well... we're still a long way from playing football, admittedly, so I can understand why Barker might be standing firm on his offer(s).

**AngeloV** · 02-16-2015, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by Wobbler

I'm a bit surprised that nothing has happened yet. The early FA signing flurry is over, and none of those guys have any NFL prospects.

Well... we're still a long way from playing football, admittedly, so I can understand why Barker might be standing firm on his offer(s).

I honestly can't help but wonder if Barker's FA philosophy is real, or if he's just playing with such a small operating budget, that he really can't go out and spend on free agents. It wouldn't surprise me if he's just playing nice, and not trying to throw the owner under the bus.

**paulwoods13** · 02-16-2015, 07:21 PM

The first few days produced some outlandishly high salaries, if we can believe reports. At this point I'm sure the unsigned guys are hoping for more of the same. Teams are no doubt waiting for prices to drop, and they will the longer this goes on.

**Argo57** · 02-16-2015, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by AngeloV

I honestly can't help but wonder if Barker's FA philosophy is real, or if he's just playing with such a small operating budget, that he really can't go out and spend on free agents. It wouldn't surprise me if he's just playing nice, and not trying to throw the owner under the bus.

Barker seems like a man with integrity Angelo, if what you ponder is true (anything is possible) he won't be here long term as this teams shortcomings on the field ultimately fall on the shoulders of the General Manager and could affect his future employment elsewhere.

**Wobbler** · 02-16-2015, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by AngeloV

I honestly can't help but wonder if Barker's FA philosophy is real, or if he's just playing with such a small operating budget, that he really can't go out and spend on free agents. It wouldn't surprise me if he's just playing nice, and not trying to throw the owner under the bus.

The salary cap increased by $0.5M for 2015, didn't it? At this point I thought that the "big spenders" had shown their hands and that reality would have set in for everyone.

**ArgoRavi** · 02-16-2015, 10:26 PM

I find that the same thing happens every year now - we see a flurry of free agent signings over the first couple of days and then it slows to a crawl after that. If a free agent hasn't signed by this point, their raise is likely to be minimal.

**AngeloV** · 02-16-2015, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by Wobbler

The salary cap increased by $0.5M for 2015, didn't it? At this point I thought that the "big spenders" had shown their hands and that reality would have set in for everyone.

The reason for my questioning what operating budget Barker has, is that the league only announces amounts if a team goes over the cap. They don't mention how much cap room each team had at season's end. I honestly think the Argos had 5 big ticket players on the roster in '14. My guess is they came in well under the cap.

**jerrym** · 02-17-2015, 03:09 AM

Originally Posted by AngeloV

The reason for my questioning what operating budget Barker has, is that the league only announces amounts if a team goes over the cap. They don't mention how much cap room each team had at season's end. I honestly think the Argos had 5 big ticket players on the roster in '14. My guess is they came in well under the cap.

That would be my guess too.

**Invader** · 02-17-2015, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by Wobbler

The salary cap increased by $0.5M for 2015, didn't it? At this point I thought that the "big spenders" had shown their hands and that reality would have set in for everyone.

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.

**Neely2005** · 02-17-2015, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by AngeloV

The reason for my questioning what operating budget Barker has, is that the league only announces amounts if a team goes over the cap. They don't mention how much cap room each team had at season's end. I honestly think the Argos had 5 big ticket players on the roster in '14. My guess is they came in well under the cap.

Isn't Ricky Ray the highest paid player in the CFL?

IIRC there was a Tweet that he got a raise last season due to a clause in his contact related to an increase in the salary cap.

**ArgoRavi** · 02-17-2015, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Neely2005

Isn't Ricky Ray the highest paid player in the CFL?

IIRC there was a Tweet that he got a raise last season due to a clause in his contact related to an increase in the salary cap.

Ray may be the highest paid player in the league but that doesn't mean that the Argos aren't spending closer to the floor than the ceiling. There have been reports that the Argos are spending less on coaching than the rest of the league so it would not be shocking if Braley has provided Barker with a smaller budget to work with regarding players too.

**Will** · 02-17-2015, 10:57 AM

Barker hasn't been particularly active in free agency since he took over though. I remember in the 2010-2011 off-season where everyone was upset that Barker's only significant pick-up was Wes Lysack. Most of the notable players that have been acquired by the Argonauts since 2010 have been through trades. Perhaps the operating budget has been that low since Braley took over the team.

**Neely2005** · 02-17-2015, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by ArgoRavi

Ray may be the highest paid player in the league but that doesn't mean that the Argos aren't spending closer to the floor than the ceiling. There have been reports that the Argos are spending less on coaching than the rest of the league so it would not be shocking if Braley has provided Barker with a smaller budget to work with regarding players too.

Okay but Ray isn't our only highly paid player, what about Owens & Durie? Also you're speculating that we're not paying a lot on coaching (which doesn't count against the salary cap) and speculating that therefore we're not paying a lot on players. I don't see anything that would lead me to believe that the Argonauts aren't spending well above the minimum salary floor.

Originally Posted by argofan87

Barker hasn't been particularly active in free agency since he took over though. I remember in the 2010-2011 off-season where everyone was upset that Barker's only significant pick-up was Wes Lysack. Most of the notable players that have been acquired by the Argonauts since 2010 have been through trades. Perhaps the operating budget has been that low since Braley took over the team.

Shea Emry?