2016-2017 Offseason transactions

[AngeloV]

CVZ has been extended for three years.

With Van Zeyl and Holmes returning and McEwan still under contract, our OL Canadian content is pretty secure. Hopefully we'll be able to keep building during free agency.

I really hope they move CVZ to right guard.

[BATKINSON001]

I don't know how to embed tweets...

gary lawless (@garylawless) tweeted at 11:52 AM on Tue, Jan 31, 2017:
first big signing for Spencer Zimmerman with @TorontoArgos in his acting GM role as he gets Chris Van Zeyl to re-up @cfl #cfl
(https://twitter.com/garylawless/stat...678639107?s=03)

And from 3down nation:

http://3downnation.com/2017/01/31/va...-argos-report/
Van Zeyl re-signs with Argos: report

The Toronto Argonauts have re-signed offensive lineman Chris Van Zeyl, according to published reports.


Van Zeyl was set to become a free agent in February and would have been one of the top Canadian players available. The 33-year-old can play both tackle and guard was named CFL East Division all-star for the third time in 2016.

[doubleblue]

I really hope they move CVZ to right guard.

I think some of us have been calling for that the last couple of years. He did play Guard back a two or three years ago didn't he, with King and Rogers the Tackles. But when he signed his last contract he was suddenly moved back to RT. Don't Canadian OT's make more money than Guards? Maybe that had something to do with the position move. I thought he did play some what better last year at RT, but the play that sticks in my mind was the free shot TiCat DE Adrian Tracy had on Ricky Ray while Van Zeyl felt he should be helping Watman double team a DT. That may have been his assignment (Watman was over matched) but it didn't look like a smart thing to do as a guy like Tracy should never get a free shot at your QB.

[BATKINSON001]

http://3downnation.com/2017/01/31/va...-argos-report/
Van Zeyl re-signs with Argos: report
Posted on January 31, 2017 by 3Down Staff // 0 Comments

The Toronto Argonauts have re-signed offensive lineman Chris Van Zeyl, according to published reports.


Van Zeyl was set to become a free agent in February and would have been one of the top Canadian players available. The 33-year-old can play both tackle and guard was named CFL East Division all-star for the third time in 2016.

[gilthethrill]

I really hope they move CVZ to right guard.

Agreed. That move could extend his career. Wonder if the Argos will have any interest in recently released Jeff Parrot formerly a long time OT for Montreal?

Good job Mr Zimmerman!

[Wobbler]

Chris Van Zeyl's new deal with the #Argos for 3 years in the $230K range, per #CFL sources.

— Justin Dunk (@JDunk12) January 31, 2017

Seems like a lot of money for a guard. Sure, we gave Holmes $200K a couple of years ago, but it seemed likely at the time that he was going to get a lot of attention on the market.

[BATKINSON001]

Chris Van Zeyl's new deal with the #Argos for 3 years in the $230K range, per #CFL sources.

— Justin Dunk (@JDunk12) January 31, 2017

Seems like a lot of money for a guard. Sure, we gave Holmes $200K a couple of years ago, but it seemed likely at the time that he was going to get a lot of attention on the market.

How do you embed the tweet so it shows like that? Is it desktop only or can I do that on my phone?

The money seems good as its for 3 years and they will need some veterans around.

[ArgoGabe22]

I like CVZ but at 230K, that's a steep price for someone approaching the end of their career.

[Wobbler]

How do you embed the tweet so it shows like that? Is it desktop only or can I do that on my phone?

Depends on what Twitter app you're using, I think. From a browser, if you bring up the menu associated with a tweet and select "embed this tweet" you can copy and paste that code.

[ArgoGabe22]

How do you embed the tweet so it shows like that? Is it desktop only or can I do that on my phone?

The money seems good as its for 3 years and they will need some veterans around.

From my experience, I can only do it on a desktop.

[BATKINSON001]

From my experience, I can only do it on a desktop.

thanks.

[R.J]

Not comfortable seeing Van Zeyl get that kind of reported term and dough, when IMO he's played poorly 3 seasons in a row. A move to RG is a must IMO, but that's Bourke type of money for a guy who hasn't been an elite tackle (and RT, not an LT) or even Offensive Lineman in a few years.

[Will]

Not comfortable seeing Van Zeyl get that kind of reported term and dough, when IMO he's played poorly 3 seasons in a row. A move to RG is a must IMO, but that's Bourke type of money for a guy who hasn't been an elite tackle (and RT, not an LT) or even Offensive Lineman in a few years.

Why do I need to post when you just summed up my thoughts? Although, I think he's played poorly since 2015, I don't remember his play being an issue in 2014.

[gilthethrill]

Not comfortable seeing Van Zeyl get that kind of reported term and dough, when IMO he's played poorly 3 seasons in a row. A move to RG is a must IMO, but that's Bourke type of money for a guy who hasn't been an elite tackle (and RT, not an LT) or even Offensive Lineman in a few years.

The way Zimmerman spoke, it hinted that CVZ will remain at OT.

[Will]

The way Zimmerman spoke, it hinted that CVZ will remain at OT.

Do the Argos (at 01/31/2017) have someone who can plausibly be ahead of him on the depth chart? That's the issue and one issue I am not comfortable with.

[paulwoods13]

Not signing a NAT who can start would be worse than signing him. He hasn't been good
the past few years, is out of position at RT and is probably why overpaid. But I'd still rather have him as an asset we own than let him go to free agency.

[gilthethrill]

Do the Argos (at 01/31/2017) have someone who can plausibly be ahead of him on the depth chart? That's the issue and one issue I am not comfortable with.

I don't think Sackey or Campbell are ready. Now that Barker is gone I wonder how long they will survive.

[AngeloV]

Do the Argos (at 01/31/2017) have someone who can plausibly be ahead of him on the depth chart? That's the issue and one issue I am not comfortable with.

If I was making the decisions, with Jones all but guaranteed a starting SB position, I would sign a number of International tackles, and hope you can find 2 good bookends to start at tackles. They would likely be low paid, and allow you to eat big contracts at the guard spots.

[OV Argo]

If I was making the decisions, with Jones all but guaranteed a starting SB position, I would sign a number of International tackles, and hope you can find 2 good bookends to start at tackles. They would likely be low paid, and allow you to eat big contracts at the guard spots.

Can't really see many guaranteed starting positions for the Argos with no GM & HC in place at this point.

Van Zeyl is a vet and maybe could rebound to be solid at either OT or guard - but that is what real TC competition is for.

Might be able to find 2 good new, young import OTs but maybe not - there is not some unlimited supply of those types, despite what some CFL fans believe (and not saying you think that way AV). Maybe Sackey or Campbell progress big-time and with a new O-line coach perhaps? Also IMO a pretty deep O-line crop this year, including a few OT types.

Argos should have no dreaded "ratio problems" IMO - another CFL fairy tale that certain fan forums love to subscribe too ;o) Could easily start 2 import OTs if that is how TC competition shakes out.

[AngeloV]

Can't really see many guaranteed starting positions for the Argos with no GM & HC in place at this point.

Van Zeyl is a vet and maybe could rebound to be solid at either OT or guard - but that is what real TC competition is for.

Might be able to find 2 good new, young import OTs but maybe not - there is not some unlimited supply of those types, despite what some CFL fans believe (and not saying you think that way AV). Maybe Sackey or Campbell progress big-time and with a new O-line coach perhaps? Also IMO a pretty deep O-line crop this year, including a few OT types.

Argos should have no dreaded "ratio problems" IMO - another CFL fairy tale that certain fan forums love to subscribe too ;o) Could easily start 2 import OTs if that is how TC competition shakes out.

I don't think they'll have any ratio problems either OV. They have some talent at skill positions. That's why I think they can afford to start 2 Internationals at tackle...of course this all depends if they can find 2 good ones. Imports at OT also come considerably cheaper than quality Canadians there, so it would also help cap wise. They really need to work on getting Greenwood signed, and hopefully give Miles a legitimate shot to start at MLB, along with Waud at DT.