Barker and Milanovich Sign Three Year Contract Extension

[doubleblue]

AC had the good fortune of having two of the best pass blocking Tackles around protecting him. I don't think Van Zeyl is quite in their league. He's pretty good but does get beat. Campbell could be a real find at LT from what I've seen so far. A big RB could help as well instead of these pony backs the Argos keep bringing in. Maybe Dupuis can get the blocking job done somwhat at FB, he's a big tough kid and Kackert and/or Whittaker are proven RB's with some pass blocking experience. Steele is a good ST's guy but ordinary RB IMO.

[ArgoZ]

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Ricky Ray for helping us win Grey Cup 2012!
FYI, Tom Brady, regarded as the best QB in the world, is 37.

[argolio]

I agree with you.
A 36 year old QB with a litany of injuries the last few years plus diminishing skills is not a recepy for a long term cpontrct.
If I had it my way (que the regular naysayers on this board) I would have traded RR a few years back and would have gone with Zack and Harris as the future.
Look what happened with the RedBlacks as they have gone with Henry whose best before date has long passed.

Long-term contracts in football mean next to nothing.

There goes Ron's feel good Braley story.

....again.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Ricky Ray for helping us win Grey Cup 2012!
FYI, Tom Brady, regarded as the best QB in the world, is 37.

Yeah, but he cheats.

I don't recall AC having shoulder problems during his last few years, concussions yes.
Either way, at such an age and well passed the best before date a team that gambles with aging QB's is only one hit away from disaster.
In addition and here is the key, going with the status quo prevents teams from turning the page and developing youth.

We're going to start a QB we spent three years developing. By your reasoning, he shouldn't even exist.

Ray's stats clearly don't show a player in decline.

As for injuries, I'll take a guy with shoulder issues over concussions any day of the week.

[KCargosfan]

Not to mention a long-term contract on the injured list costs nothing against the salary cap.

AT, no one is saying don't try and develop younger quarterbacks, but casting aside a Hall of Famer who may have 3 years left would be foolish.

[argonaut11xx]

casting aside a Hall of Famer who may have 3 years left would be foolish.

smartest comment in this thread

A healthy Ricky Ray is the BEST QB is the CFL by a country mile....

["Issues"Mcgee]

I can't believe people would even have a fevered nightmare about getting rid of Ricky Ray. The man is the ultimate hero in this city. The messiah. IF he heals up and he wants to give it a go, let the man do it. He more than earned it. How classless would we look as an organization if we denied the man a return because Trevor Harris puts a few wins together? Trevor "I got leap-frogged by Collaros" Harris?! You can't just cut a hall-of-famer who had amazing stats last season. That's blasphemy.

[D-Gap-Willie]

If you have any doubt that these 3-year contracts were initiated and supported by BellBaum, take a good look at the announcement in argonauts.ca. If you think that announcement was written by any of the remaining skeleton staff on King Street, you are quite mistaken. That is a fully crafted PR press release statement.

[argotom]

Not to mention a long-term contract on the injured list costs nothing against the salary cap.

AT, no one is saying don't try and develop younger quarterbacks, but casting aside a Hall of Famer who may have 3 years left would be foolish.

KC, certainly the Esks had no problem trading Ricky to us in 2012.
Let's review.
Ultimately this move resulted in that team signing FA Mike Reilly and few should argue how the Esks are a better team with Reilly around then had they not made the deal.
After the great 2012 season, Ricky had injuries in 13 which forced us to use Zack, who came out as a legitimate first stringer.
The Cats had no problem letting Henry go when it was evident he was done and in comes Zack.
Had we traded Ricky just like the Esks, after the 13 season, there is evidence how either the Peg or Ottawa would have given up likely a first round pick.
We would have signed Zack and for me there is no question the team would have been in better shape with Collaros as the first stringer and Harris as back up.

[Neely2005]

KC, certainly the Esks had no problem trading Ricky to us in 2012.
Let's review.
Ultimately this move resulted in that team signing FA Mike Reilly and few should argue how the Esks are a better team with Reilly around then had they not made the deal.
After the great 2012 season, Ricky had injuries in 13 which forced us to use Zack, who came out as a legitimate first stringer.
The Cats had no problem letting Henry go when it was evident he was done and in comes Zack.
Had we traded Ricky just like the Esks, after the 13 season, there is evidence how either the Peg or Ottawa would have given up likely a first round pick.
We would have signed Zack and for me there is no question the team would have been in better shape with Collaros as the first stringer and Harris as back up.

And the over rating of ZC continues. He's a good quarterback who still has a Lot to prove.

[argotom]

And the over rating of ZC continues. He's a good quarterback who still has a Lot to prove.

Your definition of being overrated.
All I know is what he did with us in a part time role.
So much so the Hammer decided to sign him and make him the first stringer.
More important he took the Cats to the GC last year and came close with a last minute call short of winning it.
Let's see what he does this year and ultimately compare with Ricky's year.
Plus of course, he has some 10 years in age difference.

[Argo]

Barker's lengthy interview at argonauts.ca is quite interesting. Our GM discusses the topics of Harris, Ray, and Harris / Ray in a reasonable and realistic fashion.

[AngeloV]

KC, certainly the Esks had no problem trading Ricky to us in 2012.
Let's review.
Ultimately this move resulted in that team signing FA Mike Reilly and few should argue how the Esks are a better team with Reilly around then had they not made the deal.
After the great 2012 season, Ricky had injuries in 13 which forced us to use Zack, who came out as a legitimate first stringer.
The Cats had no problem letting Henry go when it was evident he was done and in comes Zack.
Had we traded Ricky just like the Esks, after the 13 season, there is evidence how either the Peg or Ottawa would have given up likely a first round pick.
We would have signed Zack and for me there is no question the team would have been in better shape with Collaros as the first stringer and Harris as back up.

So the Ti Cats knew that Burris was done immediately after he led them to a Grey Cup appearance? And because Ottawa may have had the worst receiving core in the history of the CFL, this proves to be fact in your world? SMH!!

More important he took the Cats to the GC last year and came close with a last minute call short of winning it.

I believe he is going to be a very good QB, but the same thing that took the Cats to the Cup last year is what kept them close in that game...special teams and defence. The Cats offence was pretty bad last year. And if Burris was washed up for taking the Cats to the cup game the year before, does that mean that ZC is washed up now?

[gilthethrill]

Great to see Barker and Milanovich extended. Solid, local ownership will help make the Argos a cornerstone franchise once again.

[argotom]

So the Ti Cats knew that Burris was done immediately after he led them to a Grey Cup appearance? And because Ottawa may have had the worst receiving core in the history of the CFL, this proves to be fact in your world? SMH!!



I believe he is going to be a very good QB, but the same thing that took the Cats to the Cup last year is what kept them close in that game...special teams and defence. The Cats offence was pretty bad last year. And if Burris was washed up for taking the Cats to the cup game the year before, does that mean that ZC is washed up now?

Obviously Austin and his staff thought highly enough of ZC to sign him and put all their eggs in the one basket.
What about the Esks, you conveniently avoid that.
I am not knocking RR, he is an all star and no doubt will enter the hall.
I hope he has more years left in the body.
When age plus injuries crop up and especially the latest 6 weeks DL, it does not bode well.
Even Barker now is stating as per the report in the Sun today they will have to evaluate the future with or without him.

[AngeloV]

What about the Esks, you conveniently avoid that.

Well, now that you brought it up. they went 7-11 and 4-14 in the first 2 years after they traded RR, and it cost the guy that made the deal his job. So, yeah, that was not a smart move on their part. Any other ways in which you would like me to prove you wrong?

[argonaut11xx]

As an Argofan, I look at it this way.

Ricky Ray has won a Grey Cup as a starter, since being acquired by the Argo's

Zac has lost a Grey Cup as a starter, since being acquired by the pussy-cats

YEP...Zac has a longer shelf life, but in the next 2-3 years, Ricky Ray has a better chance of winning a Grey Cup (assuming both QB''s are healthy)

[argotom]

Well, now that you brought it up. they went 7-11 and 4-14 in the first 2 years after they traded RR, and it cost the guy that made the deal his job. So, yeah, that was not a smart move on their part. Any other ways in which you would like me to prove you wrong?

I didn't realize you were the authority here on wrong and right!
Your attempts at bully tactics will not work as you constantly fail to accept opinions contrary to yours.

[AngeloV]

I didn't realize you were the authority here on wrong and right!
Your attempts at bully tactics will not work as you constantly fail to accept opinions contrary to yours.

It's actually more of a humour tactic than a bully tactic. I don't believe I have ever theatened anyone in my life. Most others seem to get it.

Besides you challenged me to respond, and I did.

[Argo57]

Obviously Austin and his staff thought highly enough of ZC to sign him and put all their eggs in the one basket.
What about the Esks, you conveniently avoid that.
I am not knocking RR, he is an all star and no doubt will enter the hall.
I hope he has more years left in the body.
When age plus injuries crop up and especially the latest 6 weeks DL, it does not bode well.
Even Barker now is stating as per the report in the Sun today they will have to evaluate the future with or without him.

The Argos would have looked idiotic in dumping Ray after the 2012 World Championship and even 2013, last season as it turns out he was playing hurt for much of the season still at a high level.
Argonauts were in a no win scenario with Collaros who wouldn't backup Ray for another season.
I'm not sure what is in store for Ray this season, Harris may develop into a solid CFL QB as well.
Explain exactly what the Eskimos have done in the recent past???

[argotom]

The Argos would have looked idiotic in dumping Ray after the 2012 World Championship and even 2013, last season as it turns out he was playing hurt for much of the season still at a high level.
Argonauts were in a no win scenario with Collaros who wouldn't backup Ray for another season.
I'm not sure what is in store for Ray this season, Harris may develop into a solid CFL QB as well.
Explain exactly what the Eskimos have done in the recent past???

The same thing can be said about the Argos since winning the GC.