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

[Downtownfan]

They should get Johnny Football's rights from Hamilton, sign him, sign Trestman as HC to give them both a new shot at football, and at the same time, do a "reality tv" show, "Johnny's Journey" which follows his "path back to football," which could be on both TSN and ESPN, and be part of his $$$ (!). Would generate crazy interest on both sides of the border. If he makes it, its good for him and the Argos; if not, and its a total disaster, well, at least we get some press!

[ArgoGabe22]

They should get Johnny Football's rights from Hamilton, sign him, sign Trestman as HC to give them both a new shot at football, and at the same time, do a "reality tv" show, "Johnny's Journey" which follows his "path back to football," which could be on both TSN and ESPN, and be part of his $$$ (!). Would generate crazy interest on both sides of the border. If he makes it, its good for him and the Argos; if not, and its a total disaster, well, at least we get some press!

That's something Jim Popp would do. We'd have to hire him first.

[doubleblue]

They should get Johnny Football's rights from Hamilton, sign him, sign Trestman as HC to give them both a new shot at football, and at the same time, do a "reality tv" show, "Johnny's Journey" which follows his "path back to football," which could be on both TSN and ESPN, and be part of his $$$ (!). Would generate crazy interest on both sides of the border. If he makes it, its good for him and the Argos; if not, and its a total disaster, well, at least we get some press!

How about Rex Ryan and Johnny Football. lol

[Will]

I know much of this is in jest, but Manziel and Rex Ryan is exactly the stuff that 1970's Argos management would pull.

[Downtownfan]

I know much of this is in jest, but Manziel and Rex Ryan is exactly the stuff that 1970's Argos management would pull.

You are right-- they probably would do it, and wouldn't give a damn along the way. It would be similar to the Ricky Williams thing, I suppose. Manziel would be the fifth Heisman winner to suit up for the Argos. Real question: Has any team in pro football ever had four or more Heisman winners over their history?

[doubleblue]

I know much of this is in jest, but Manziel and Rex Ryan is exactly the stuff that 1970's Argos management would pull.

You're right about that. I was always one of the fans who got sucked in every year with latest and greatest Argo signings. We always won the Grey Cup in June.

But about the Rex Ryan. I don't know for sure if he was born in Toronto or if he and his brother just grew up here. His father Buddy Ryan was a former Argo assistant when the boys were young. Don't know if Rex is all that great a Coach but he would be the closest thing to Leo Cahill for making headlines.

[Argo57]

You're right about that. I was always one of the fans who got sucked in every year with latest and greatest Argo signings. We always won the Grey Cup in June.

But about the Rex Ryan. I don't know for sure if he was born in Toronto or if he and his brother just grew up here. His father Buddy Ryan was a former Argo assistant when the boys were young. Don't know if Rex is all that great a Coach but he would be the closest thing to Leo Cahill for making headlines.

Correct, Rex Ryan speaks highly of his days in Toronto.
He grew up a huge Leafs fan (Darryl Sittler) in particular.

http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/Sports/hoc.../18929791.html

[ArgoRavi]

You're right about that. I was always one of the fans who got sucked in every year with latest and greatest Argo signings. We always won the Grey Cup in June.

But about the Rex Ryan. I don't know for sure if he was born in Toronto or if he and his brother just grew up here. His father Buddy Ryan was a former Argo assistant when the boys were young. Don't know if Rex is all that great a Coach but he would be the closest thing to Leo Cahill for making headlines.

Buddy Ryan never worked for the Argos. Rex Ryan's mom was a professor at U of T for a time in the 1970s so that is why the Ryan children spent a few years in the city. They are not native Torontonians.

[doubleblue]

Buddy Ryan never worked for the Argos. Rex Ryan's mom was a professor at U of T for a time in the 1970s so that is why the Ryan children spent a few years in the city. They are not native Torontonians.

Yeah you are correct. It was Chuck Dickerson (The Coach) I got mixed up with Ryan with the Argos. Google says the Ryan boys were born in Oklahoma.

[Argo57]

Buddy Ryan never worked for the Argos. Rex Ryan's mom was a professor at U of T for a time in the 1970s so that is why the Ryan children spent a few years in the city. They are not native Torontonians.

Good catch Ravi, the connection is in the article I posted.

[R.J]

Rex Ryan as President of Football Operations, General Manager and Head Coach ? Not sure, Ryan would take the pay cut. The media here would love him though - I wonder if Rogers would pay much attention to the Argos ?

[BorisToronto]

Rex Ryan as President of Football Operations, General Manager and Head Coach ? Not sure, Ryan would take the pay cut. The media here would love him though - I wonder if Rogers would pay much attention to the Argos ?

Never been a fan of his. I personally would not want to see him involved with the Org. And if he was, I sure Rogers would spin that in the most interesting ways to benefit them.

[jerrym]

Never been a fan of his. I personally would not want to see him involved with the Org. And if he was, I sure Rogers would spin that in the most interesting ways to benefit them.

Neither am I.

[BorisToronto]

Neither am I.

I'm at a loss on the coaching side. Never been against Scott, but this year was brutal.

To me the priorities that the team needs to make are:
1) The offence, gotta win to make the games worth attending for the casual viewers.
2) Focus on your loyal STH fans, looks like some of that is happening or at least they say so.
3) Get more in game things going. Last game of the season had the marching band. why has that not been the case year round?

Just three quick thoughts from me.

[PullTogether73]

I'm at a loss on the coaching side. Never been against Scott, but this year was brutal.

To me the priorities that the team needs to make are:
1) The offence, gotta win to make the games worth attending for the casual viewers.
2) Focus on your loyal STH fans, looks like some of that is happening or at least they say so.
3) Get more in game things going. Last game of the season had the marching band. why has that not been the case year round?

1)Improving just the offence is no guarantee of winning games.
3)Make some suggestions. Personally, I don't need to see any more halftime concerts at all. Also, I believe that the Argos are trying to emulate the U.S. football experience, with tailgating, etc. There are no halftime shows for most NFL games.

[jerrym]

I was always one of the fans who got sucked in every year with latest and greatest Argo signings. We always won the Grey Cup in June.

Don't remind me. Actually, I think their biggest failing was not paying enough attention to obtaining and developing the Canadian talent.

[Will]

Don't remind me. Actually, I think their biggest failing was not paying enough attention to obtaining and developing the Canadian talent.

The Argos brought in some decent Canadian talent like Neil Lumsden and Paul Bennett in the late 1970's only to let them go just as quickly. Paul in his book emphasizes that the Argos had to rebuild their Canadian talent in the early 1980's when they brought in guys like Pearson, Ackroyd, Carinci and Moen among others.

[paulwoods13]

The Argos brought in some decent Canadian talent like Neil Lumsden and Paul Bennett in the late 1970's only to let them go just as quickly. Paul in his book emphasizes that the Argos had to rebuild their Canadian talent in the early 1980's when they brought in guys like Pearson, Ackroyd, Carinci and Moen among others.

Thanks for the mention. For the record, Pearson and Ackroyd both joined the Argos in the late 1970s. But starting in 1981 under Willie Wood and then Ralph Sazio, the Argos did have a massive infusion of new non-import talent including Ferrrone, Carinci, Moen, Elser, Trifaux, Antunovic, Townsend and Holmes.

[Will]

Thanks for the mention. For the record, Pearson and Ackroyd both joined the Argos in the late 1970s. But starting in 1981 under Willie Wood and then Ralph Sazio, the Argos did have a massive infusion of new non-import talent including Ferrrone, Carinci, Moen, Elser, Trifaux, Antunovic, Townsend and Holmes.

But, it is my understanding that Pearson and Ackroyd did not start to play significant roles until 1981-1982.

[paulwoods13]

But, it is my understanding that Pearson and Ackroyd did not start to play significant roles until 1981-1982.

That's correct in terms of offence/defence. Pearson was a regular on special teams in his first three seasons. Ackroyd was on and off the roster regularly until 1981.