Argos swap LB Shea Emry to Sask for DE Ricky Foley

[1argoholic]

Always loved the heart that Foley played with and I'm glad he's back. NEVER EVER liked Emry who brought his dirty play from Montreal to Toronto. Guy loves to hit late, hit out of bounds and is basically a real tool in my books. Glad he's gone.

I hope they cut Foley loose to be the great pass rusher that he can be. With Jones he was always dropping back into coverage.

Will Foley's bro be back to add some life and character to this site. Never had issues with him.

[paulwoods13]

Why would Laing be good as gone? He is a quality interior NI lineman with a year left on his contract. I count 4 solid Canadian starters on Defence.

I agree, but we need at least one strong backup NAT d-lineman if we are going to start one at DE and one at DT. Hope we draft a DT. Four on D would mean we need to start only one NAT receiver (Durie) and could really gain roster flexibility if we also started Coombs somewhere. Watt seems very unlikely to start (if he even returns).

[OV Argo]

Interesting trade - i guess fills a need for both teams - swap of good NI D players, and both teams have some depth/youth at the position they just traded, so makes sense?
I did like both Okpo and Whiteside at DE last year, so a 3 man platoon with Foley at DE might be nice; and draft a DT (out of a very deep crop this draft) to go with Laing - and the Argos could easily start/play 4 NI on D (2 DL, one LB spot + safety ?)

However, (groan) - Does this mean A5/35 and his one trick pony act will be back posting here with all kinds of snide or pompous put-downs of other posters and pretty well all Canadian players not named Ricky Foley?

[Double Dare]

Foley is a a@@hat.

[gilthethrill]

I agree, but we need at least one strong backup NAT d-lineman if we are going to start one at DE and one at DT. Hope we draft a DT. Four on D would mean we need to start only one NAT receiver (Durie) and could really gain roster flexibility if we also started Coombs somewhere. Watt seems very unlikely to start (if he even returns).

Agreed the Argos could really use a high draft pick for a DL. Could you foresee 2 INT starting on the O-line? I guess a lot hinges on what happens with Holmes.

[argotom]

Both players had off years, as for Foley didn't like him in the time here with the Argos.
I may be one of the few here who is not impressed with Foley, with his best years in BC.
His best before date may have expired.

[Will]

I didn't know that 12 sacks represented an off season.

[argotom]

I didn't know that 12 sacks represented an off season.

Numbers do not always tell a story.
He was not the impact player the Riders were looking for as a rush end, more or less the same scenario last time here.

[Wobbler]

He was not the impact player the Riders were looking for as a rush end

What is your source for this claim? A link would be nice.

[ArgoRavi]

Numbers do not always tell a story.
He was not the impact player the Riders were looking for as a rush end, more or less the same scenario last time here.

I have to disagree with you, AT. Foley was one of Saskatchewan's top defensive players over the last two seasons.

[OV Argo]

I have to disagree with you, AT. Foley was one of Saskatchewan's top defensive players over the last two seasons.

Yep Ravi, agreed; and Foley is IMO maybe the most complete DE in the CFL (i'd go with Chick as best overall though perhaps) - Foley is a good pass rusher but is also the best run-stopping DE in the CFL (check his tackle numbers over the past number of years), and makes D plays forcing & recovering fumbles. I have no clue what argotom has been watching there ???

[Argo57]

Yep Ravi, agreed; and Foley is IMO maybe the most complete DE in the CFL (i'd go with Chick as best overall though perhaps) - Foley is a good pass rusher but is also the best run-stopping DE in the CFL (check his tackle numbers over the past number of years), and makes D plays forcing & recovering fumbles. I have no clue what argotom has been watching there ???

Should be fun watching Foley and Okpalaugo as bookends on the D-Line this season and Greenwood at linebacker, fills a huge need for Toronto.
Nice job by Barker on this one!!

[jerrym]

I have mixed feelings about this trade. There is a very good chance that Greenwood will do a great job of replacing Emry, but does anyone remember an Argo very promising pickup in the past who never worked out (Don't answer this question please - it might give me nightmares as I can remember Argos past all the way back to 1959). Foley can be a top rush end as long as he doesn't let his emotions get the better of him (something that happened in BC too). Emry did get better as the year wore on and has age on his side. Even if Foley has a fine year, how many can there be left in a position where speed is critical? After all, Wally became the winningest coach in CFL history by knowing when to let a star go, usually a year or two before the end so he could get something valuable in return. Nevertheless, moving Emry does fill a hole at rush end and also allows Greenwood to show his stuff.

[ArgoZ]

Interesting trade - i guess fills a need for both teams - swap of good NI D players, and both teams have some depth/youth at the position they just traded, so makes sense?
I did like both Okpo and Whiteside at DE last year, so a 3 man platoon with Foley at DE might be nice; and draft a DT (out of a very deep crop this draft) to go with Laing - and the Argos could easily start/play 4 NI on D (2 DL, one LB spot + safety ?)

However, (groan) - Does this mean A5/35 and his one trick pony act will be back posting here with all kinds of snide or pompous put-downs of other posters and pretty well all Canadian players not named Ricky Foley?

It will be quite easy to pick him out when he makes his first few posts though, let's have a find Area51 contest! It's interesting how the Argos couldn't show Foley the $ to stay, but now pick up his big contract. Foley shouldn't have took shots at the Argos when he left though. Hopefully he plays well under the new system and hard feelings are all in the past.

Emry played decent last year and there is no reason to think he won't this season, or better. It's time for the Greenwood era, he's Barkers guy.

[Argo57]

Numbers do not always tell a story.
He was not the impact player the Riders were looking for as a rush end, more or less the same scenario last time here.

Sometimes numbers do tell the story.
Ricky Foley:12 Sacks, 54 Tackles (2014) Canadian
Aston Whiteside: 2 Sacks, 17 Tackles (2014) American
I'll take that trade off any day of the week.
Regarding Emry his play in Toronto was rather mediocre, he will probably benefit from a change in teams as well.

[doubleblue]

Why would Laing be good as gone? He is a quality interior NI lineman with a year left on his contract. I count 4 solid Canadian starters on Defence.

You are right Gil. Somehow I thought Laing was a FA this year. So two Canadians starters that could rotate with four Imports on the DLine. Greenwood and Jones could rotate some at MLB. With Gabriel and Matt Black at Safety. Black could start at CB IMO in a pinch if needed. But I would think Burke will use three out of those five positions for the defensive ratio on the field which will allow back up and rotation options.

Next job for Jim Barker resign Tyler Holmes.

[gilthethrill]

You are right Gil. Somehow I thought Laing was a FA this year. So two Canadians starters that could rotate with four Imports on the DLine. Greenwood and Jones could rotate some at MLB. With Gabriel and Matt Black at Safety. Black could start at CB IMO in a pinch if needed. But I would think Burke will use three out of those five positions for the defensive ratio on the field which will allow back up and rotation options.

Next job for Jim Barker resign Tyler Holmes.

Initially I thought Laing was a FA as well. Actually I thought you were thinking Laing was a DE. Yes, as for Holmes,he would be a huge signing for Barker. Worst case may be starting two Internationals (Rogers and King) up front?

Foley returning to the Argos is the biggest player acquisition in Toronto sport scene since Ray came here in 2012.

[Argo57]

Initially I thought Laing was a FA as well. Actually I thought you were thinking Laing was a DE. Yes, as for Holmes,he would be a huge signing for Barker. Worst case may be starting two Internationals (Rogers and King) up front?

Foley returning to the Argos is the biggest player acquisition in Toronto sport scene since Ray came here in 2012.

Actually kind of nice to see a good old fashioned player trade in the CFL, keeps it interesting!

[Fumblitis]

Numbers do not always tell a story.
He was not the impact player the Riders were looking for as a rush end, more or less the same scenario last time here.

Not an impact player? He chased countless QB's from yards behind and took them down like nothing. A Dlineman and next to no body fat fitness freak. He's got a couple years left yet.

[paulwoods13]

Worst case may be starting two Internationals (Rogers and King) up front?

We can easily play two INTs on the o-line: start three NATs on D, two at receiver and three on the o-line. That would give us eight NAT starters, one more than required but IMO the minimum actually needed to have roster flex in the event of injury. Starting three on D is almost a given now, and if Laing re-signs and we can find an adequate backup d-lineman, there is no reason we could not start four on D, allowing us to use four INT receivers plus an INT RB and Durie/Coombs at SB.