What should the top three priorities of the Argos Be in the Off-Season?

[jerrym]

CFL.ca has listed what it thinks should be the top three priorities of every team. For the Argos they were:

1. Extend Diontae Spencer
2. Determine the front office structure and coaching staff
3. Lock up/bolster national talent

http://www.cfl.ca/2016/12/15/checkin...es-every-team/

While I think Spencer has the potential to be a game breaker and really want to see him resigned, I would not list him as one of the team's top three priorities because the team's problems, IMO, are so deep that signing any one given player is not going to turn things around. In other words, the problems are systemic.

After watching SM run out the same old offence year-after-year, with continually diminishing returns and very few adjustments to the opponents adjustments, to say nothing of the desperation associated with firing there starting receivers and a backup (regardless of what one thinks of their talent levels) all at once, suggests there was a deep morale/discipline problem, that became even more apparent as the season wore on and more players simply mailed it in. I feel SM has to go. Barker's record for me is more mixed so I'm willing to give him one more season to see what happens.

Another priority for me is improving the lines, both OL/DL. No QB is going to succeed on an ongoing basis and is highly susceptible to injury behind what is the current Argo sieve OL. The DL could not stop the run in many games leaving the team in a dilemma between bringing up LBs and DBs to help stop the run on an ongoing basis or leaving an already vulnerable set of DBs even more vulnerable. If you cannot contain the run up the middle other teams will run the ball down your throat, even in the pass-happy CFL.

Developing a capable set of DBs who play well together because they know each others' strengths and weaknesses is also vital. While some personnel change is inevitable, the constant turnover, especially in the defensive backfield has to stop, if a cohesive unit is going to be built.

I do agree that resigning national talent and bolstering it through trades/free agency and the draft are also vital.

What all of this says to me is that this is likely going to be a rebuilding year.

[Wobbler]

Offense, defense, and special teams. ;)

[Argo57]

Figuring out the management and coaching situation is obviously first priority.
Upgrading the entire roster comes next.

[Skinny G]

Speaking of priorities, has anyone heard anything about the team's quest to find a new practice/training facility? Copeland had mentioned this as something that needed to be taken care of, so was wondering if there was any news as this can potentially sway some free agents away as has happened in the past.

[AngeloV]

Speaking of priorities, has anyone heard anything about the team's quest to find a new practice/training facility? Copeland had mentioned this as something that needed to be taken care of, so was wondering if there was any news as this can potentially sway some free agents away as has happened in the past.

Sounds like they are waiting for a joint effort with Ryerson to happen. Hopefully it is something being worked n behind the scenes and gets done sooner rather than later. This is the type of thing that does make it harder to keeping your own FA's.

[Jon Gonzo]

The Argos are stuck in the quicksand until they affirm a direction that they can move forward with. Nothing else (effective) will happen until they (finally) decide on a direction. The rest of the teams gain advantage on a day to day basis. Therefore, to me, nothing else matters. This team/franchise must set a foundation to build on. The time is now. Correction, the time was yesterday.

[ArgoZ]

I thought the teams facilty was good? Having a proper locker room, storage and field were all the talk when the team moved there. Light years above the portables at Erindale.

[ArgoRavi]

The Argos are stuck in the quicksand until they affirm a direction that they can move forward with. Nothing else (effective) will happen until they (finally) decide on a direction. The rest of the teams gain advantage on a day to day basis. Therefore, to me, nothing else matters. This team/franchise must set a foundation to build on. The time is now. Correction, the time was yesterday.

Most of the other teams in the league seem to be staying status quo for next season. The guys Montreal hired were people the Argos were not likely interested in anyway. I really don't see that the Argos have disadvantaged themselves by taking their time to ensure that they make the best decisions as opposed to the quickest ones.

[jerrym]

The Argos are stuck in the quicksand until they affirm a direction that they can move forward with. Nothing else (effective) will happen until they (finally) decide on a direction. The rest of the teams gain advantage on a day to day basis. Therefore, to me, nothing else matters. This team/franchise must set a foundation to build on. The time is now. Correction, the time was yesterday.

As of today the Argos have one free agent (ST/LB Jake Reinhart) extended, while the two best teams over the regular season in the league, not coincidentally, have six (Calgary including Charleston Hughes, Rob Maver, and Rene Paredes) and four (BC including Elimimian and Jeremiah Johnson). While this is not definitive in terms of whom you end up signing, it suggests that continuity in personnel, an ongoing record of success, and a management that knows what it wants and can quickly pursue it makes a significant difference.

http://www.cfl.ca/standings/

[Jon Gonzo]

As of today the Argos have one free agent (ST/LB Jake Reinhart) extended, while the two best teams over the regular season in the league, not coincidentally, have six (Calgary including Charleston Hughes, Rob Maver, and Rene Paredes) and four (BC including Elimimian and Jeremiah Johnson). While this is not definitive in terms of whom you end up signing, it suggests that continuity in personnel, an ongoing record of success, and a management that knows what it wants and can quickly pursue it makes a significant difference.

http://www.cfl.ca/standings/

Indeed, the off season is a season also and right now the Argos are in last place. A Financial Plan, a budget, a direction, the amateur draft, free agency. The good teams make it look easy. Players want to be in the program and they want to stay in the City. The bad teams?..........well, they lose.

It all starts in November, and as of now this team is late.

[Ron]

As of today the Argos have one free agent (ST/LB Jake Reinhart) extended, while the two best teams over the regular season in the league, not coincidentally, have six (Calgary including Charleston Hughes, Rob Maver, and Rene Paredes) and four (BC including Elimimian and Jeremiah Johnson). While this is not definitive in terms of whom you end up signing, it suggests that continuity in personnel, an ongoing record of success, and a management that knows what it wants and can quickly pursue it makes a significant difference.

http://www.cfl.ca/standings/

Wait. The argos were lousy in 2016 and now you're complaining that they haven't brought enough of those players back?

[jerrym]

Wait. The argos were lousy in 2016 and now you're complaining that they haven't brought enough of those players back?

My point was not that you try to bring everyone or even many of them back but that you decide who you feel are valuable to a rebuild and go after them early rather than let them drift away.

[paulwoods13]

Seeing as how none of the free agents can "drift away" until mid-February, it might be a bit early to worry about this.

[jerrym]

Seeing as how none of the free agents can "drift away" until mid-February, it might be a bit early to worry about this.

When you have a weak team and make little effort early to sign up players, some of them start wondering whether things will only get worse and start thinking about whether not only money but team quality is likely to be more attractive elsewhere. One can drift away from a team psychologically before doing it physically.

[ArgoGabe22]

When you have a weak team and make little effort early to sign up players, some of them start wondering whether things will only get worse and start thinking about whether not only money but team quality is likely to be more attractive elsewhere. One can drift away from a team psychologically before doing it physically.

Ever since the season ended, has an informant within the team come out publicly to share insider information with some of us? It appears that many know what's going on. Has the organization closed up shop and aren't doing anything? We have no idea what the team is doing behind the scenes so why are we assuming there is little effort to re-sign players?

[paulwoods13]

And one can choose the best situation overall, including a wide range of factors such as salary, relocation costs, etc. I simply don't believe many players "drift away psychologically" from a team under these circumstances.

[REAL]

sure glad the Cowboys did not blow up the 2015 team that they added a few pieces to ...........

[Shatto]

Until there is a decision on the new organizational structure and in particular who will be the GM and coach, the team will be rudderless. My guess is there will be some type of major reorganization, with a high profile individual in charge of all football operations, probably at the vice president level and a new coach. Hopefully we will see some movement soon.

[Jon Gonzo]

Seeing as how none of the free agents can "drift away" until mid-February, it might be a bit early to worry about this.

And of course the successful team have been doing just this; signing integral players early for obvious reasons. And for the players; to assure their spot in a program that they desire to be part of. I view this as a solid indicator of a sports teams vitality. All sports. And speaking of sport; I think we all know, there are 'very few' excuses in sports.

[PullTogether73]

1.Loud music during game breaks.
2.Country music halftime concerts (because everyone in an urban mega city loves country music!)
3.Expanded use of the Kiss Cam.

If none of the above are feasible, then I'm with Wobbler...

Offense, defense, and special teams. ;)