2016-2017 Offseason transactions

[doubleblue]

I have no idea whether a guy like Harris could play in today's game. MLBs back then did not have to deal with nearly as much passing as we see now, or as much motion. There was no "waggle" (running start), there was only one slotback, and no five- or six-pack receiver sets. The way offences play dictates the way defences deploy personnel and the schemes they use. The rise of DBs converted to LBs goes back about 20 years. I think Argos under Matthews were among the first to deploy guys this way. Again, not taking anything away from the heroes of the past -- they were the best at their position in their day, and in cases like Harris deserve to still be remembered among all-time greats. But could Harris do what MLBs are required to do now? I have no idea.

Definitely a different game now from Wayne Harris' days. Back then the Offensive Guards were 6'0-6'1 225-230 and most Tackles 6'3-6'4 240-250. The Guards did a lot of pulling for off tackle trap plays and around end sweeps. Guys like Roger Perdix 6'1 225 of Ottawa and Jack Abendshen 6' 230 of Sask. were your typical all stars Guards of that era. Couldn't ask the current 300 lbers to do that very often. The CFL has always had unlimited back field motion but until Mathews or Hugh Campbell came up with the idea of the 5 or 6 receiver set with the waggle we still had more of a NFL style offense.
Maybe we always think it was better in the good old days with a TE, FB who could actually do more than just block, but i don't see anything changing back to that now. Maybe a guy like Auclair who could be a force as an inside receiver as a TE, but not too many guys like him coming out these days. Easier to find five 300 LBers up front, a Canadian Fullback who can block a bit and throw in a back up O Lineman at TE on 1st down to try and get 4 or 5 yards from the one RB. Then hope one can get the first down with a quick short pass after taking out the TE and FB for WR's. Exciting as all get out.
I actually fear for the future of Professional Football with the predictable offenses and the Concussion issue that's not going away.

[Argo57]

To me, these are often pretty unfair comparisons and it makes sense to me that it is all remains relative. I cannot imagine any reason why yesterdays greats, would not be just as great today. Weight can easily be manipulated by proper nutrition, training and by the leaps and bounds made in fitness and kinesiology.

Good players are good players. Systems come and systems go.

Points well made Gonzo!

[Wobbler]

WR Stephen Hill and DB Jabriel Washington signed today. Hill is only 25, was a second round pick in 2012, and already has a pretty good NFL resume, but... tore his ACL in 2015.

[Wobbler]

Five players signed after yesterday's evaluation camp.

Durell Eskridge is interesting. He was well regarded as a college FS heading into the 2015 NFL draft but wasn't selected, and has had various injuries after being signed by the Jets and never played in the NFL. It's hard to imagine him quickly adapting to the CFL, but the talent is there.

[OV Argo]

Five players signed after yesterday's evaluation camp.

Durell Eskridge is interesting. He was well regarded as a college FS heading into the 2015 NFL draft but wasn't selected, and has had various injuries after being signed by the Jets and never played in the NFL. It's hard to imagine him quickly adapting to the CFL, but the talent is there.

Drospem Collins ? - they must be kidding, right - guy is brutal = they're desperate for receivers.

[gilthethrill]

Drospem Collins ? - they must be kidding, right - guy is brutal = they're desperate for receivers.

Reminds me of last year's surprising signing of Wallace Miles.

[OV Argo]

Reminds me of last year's surprising signing of Wallace Miles.

Another mediocre import receiver - they certainly get favored for playing time and chances.

[OV Argo]

WR Stephen Hill and DB Jabriel Washington signed today. Hill is only 25, was a second round pick in 2012, and already has a pretty good NFL resume, but... tore his ACL in 2015.

Hill certainly seems like an interesting prospect - 6-4, 215 size and apparently blazing speed (sub 4.4 forty reports ?) - 20 some catches for the Jets 2 seasons in a row after they drafted him in the 2nd round.

Joins Posey and Morgan as TC Argo receivers with nice NFL resumes - playing time and some production = the new young "big 3" to go with vet SJ Green (hopefully he is healthy and can regain his form ?) ? plus Jeff Fuller and a couple of other receives with NFL resumes (Brown & Debose) - not sure if an Argo TC has ever seen a camp with that much ex-NFL resume receiver talent around ? ***; wonder if they are thinking of going all import for the receiving corps? Jones & Noel were IMO excellent draft picks last year (especially where they got Noel later in the draft) = 2 young Canadian receivers with excellent CIS resumes - I had hoped they would both become solid receivers in the Argo 5 pack - wonder if either see much playing time this coming season ? Nice to have lots of TC depth and competition at an important position group that needs to be way better than last season - and with Ricky Ray back to form to deliver the ball ?

*** = more that I think about this - wonder if any CFL TC has ever featured a receiver group that has that much ex-NFL resume talent ( either drafted or played there with some production) - Posey, Morgan, Hill, Brown & Debose (plus Fuller has a couple of NFL TC/roster shots) - cripes throw in Chandler Worthy and Devon Wiley who have played in the NFL with some receptions ??? And they've signed the likes of CFL vets Paden and Collins for TC too. How many freakin' receivers can they have in TC ?

[Shatto]

Good points OV--by my count the team now has 14 International receivers, 5 of whom were drafted and 6 having played anywhere from 3 to 33 games in the NFL. Great TC competition but like you, I really hope that at least one of Jones or Noel get good playing time. Both have excellent potential and it would be a shame to see that potential wasted.

[Shipyard]

Drospem Collins ? - they must be kidding, right - guy is brutal = they're desperate for receivers.

they use these borderline guys to gauge talent they bring in ... he is nothing but cannonfodder for camp.

if he comes anywhere close to making the team, we are in trouble.

[ArgoRavi]

Another mediocre import receiver - they certainly get favored for playing time and chances.

Much like Chris Bauman. Oh ... wait. He was a non-import, wasn't he?

[Jon Gonzo]

Joins Posey and Morgan as TC Argo receivers with nice NFL resumes - playing time and some production = the new young "big 3" to go with vet SJ Green (hopefully he is healthy and can regain his form ?) ? plus Jeff Fuller and a couple of other receives with NFL resumes (Brown & Debose) - not sure if an Argo TC has ever seen a camp with that much ex-NFL resume receiver talent around ? *** How many freakin' receivers can they have in TC ?

What if Da'Rick Rogers ever shows up? "The Bigger 3"

[Will]

What if Da'Rick Rogers ever shows up? "The Bigger 3"

How long can a guy remain suspended for?

[Jon Gonzo]

How long can a guy remain suspended for?

Never seen the likes of it.

However, if he shows up in shape and his head is screwed on right...look out. This team would have some big time, big playmaking targets. If Ricky is afforded 1-2 seconds for a change (lol) he'll just have to loft that thing up on corner routes.

[AngeloV]

much like chris bauman. Oh ... Wait. He was a non-import, wasn't he?

lmfao!!! And how long did Jamie Stoddard stay on as a starter in Winnipeg, despite the fact that he couldn't get open if his life depended on it?

[OV Argo]

Much like Chris Bauman. Oh ... wait. He was a non-import, wasn't he?

Big difference that you don't seem to get Ravi, is that the likes of Bauman basically got one shot at starting in the CFL (for the Ticats a bit), and after a couple of glaring drops, he was relegated to back-up or written-off as a CFL starter; Dropsem Collins and all sorts of other useless to mediocre import receivers get multiple starting chances and playing time on multiple CFL teams cause they're desperate for an import starter at a pencilled-in for import position - and they can drop pass after pass (Mo Mann a glaring example; Nick Moore another) yet still "earn" more playing time or chances with another CFL team; a NI receiver who drops half that amount of passes is written-off as a back-up forever - can still make a CFL roster that way - look for Kohlert to be just a back-up with the Stamps now - he won\t be handed playing time like Bkhari board-hands Grant was there last year simply because they needed another import receiver to play. The GOB grading system for receiver talent, like most positions, is based on passport first; their fellow 'mericans get higher grades much easier.

[OV Argo]

Good points OV--by my count the team now has 14 International receivers, 5 of whom were drafted and 6 having played anywhere from 3 to 33 games in the NFL. Great TC competition but like you, I really hope that at least one of Jones or Noel get good playing time. Both have excellent potential and it would be a shame to see that potential wasted.

Might be an emerging new CFL trend to go with mostly or even all import receivers in the starting 5? Heard talk of this after the rule changes to limit contact on receivers - with the GOB thinking that the supposed obviously superior import receivers could do better with interference called more often or with DBs more cautious?

I'd be fine with the Argos starting 5 import receiver IF all of them (amongst the new guys - Green to get a spot if he is healthy; maybe Fuller too with his previous CFL production) proved to be superior in TC and serious and dedicated to learning & playing CFL ball - might be a superb groups of talented receivers for Argo QBs to throw to. Jones & Noel could still be on the roster as the 2 main back-ups - i guess if they dress 7 receivers? However - Jones and/or Noel might be better than some of those NFL resume receivers - that is best proved with real TC competition.

[Wobbler]

Veteran Wayne Smith and 2016 7th round pick Jonathan Ngeleka retired today.

[Will]

Wayne Smith might not have turned into the elite lineman that people may have expected, but he was a true pro who acquitted himself admirably for the Argos in the five years he played for them. All the best!

[gilthethrill]

Wayne Smith might not have turned into the elite lineman that people may have expected, but he was a true pro who acquitted himself admirably for the Argos in the five years he played for them. All the best!

He sure did. 86 career games in Double Blue. He had a workman like tenure in the league.