2017 Free Agent Tracker

[Nob]

Would have been happier if they had signed Max Webster..........

[Neely2005]

Would have been happier if they had signed Max Webster..........

Can he play QB?
:-)

[gilthethrill]

Would have been happier if they had signed Max Webster..........

I see you there in your Satan shirt....unfocused eyes on the ceiling

[OV Argo]

I see you there in your Satan shirt....unfocused eyes on the ceiling

An ominous sign for the upcoming Argo season: Alka Seltzer, Tang and a 50 ... it's all over.

On a serious note though ...

Some good FA signings IMO - Venable; Sears could be a good OLB maybe ( a Greenwood flanked by Venable & Sears LB corps could be very good?); not sure about Dyakowski - looked weak or pylon like last season at times IMO, but a vet who could get it back and be a leader/ coach for the O-Line - but does his pay-day mean he has to start? Fuller has talent for sure at receiver - area of need for sure.

Some Canadian depth guys like Finley (not sure he could play decent reps at DT - some CFL experience but under-sized), and of course Max Webster; IMO these type guys could easily be beat out by good draft picks. Lots of DT talent this draft (almost a must IMO if they plan to go with a NI starting DT - a guy to compete with or platoon/back-up Waud), and some good DB/safety convert projects too - late round sleepers in the latter category for sure.

Matt Black back? - again - IMO - this vet needs a real shot to start at corner (another area of need) - IMO he could be quite good there, if he gets the chance.

[Bleeds Double Blue]

Thumbs up to Nob. I loved Max Webster ever since they played our high school dance way back when.

[doubleblue]

The signing of Webster may mean the present brain trust is moving on from Matt Black. Maybe another safety picked up in the draft as well for depth.

[ArgoGabe22]

The signing of Webster may mean the present brain trust is moving on from Matt Black. Maybe another safety picked up in the draft as well for depth.

Argos just re-signed Black.

[doubleblue]

Argos just re-signed Black.

Glad hear this. Matt is a very good rotation/backup type guy at this stage of his career.

[Wobbler]

Nice to have some continuity.

[jerrym]

Nice to have some continuity.

Considering what the Argos have lost, are you putting the emphasis on some or continuity?

However, I agree that under these circumstances getting Black back helps.

[jerrym]

No secret we missed out on some big name FA's. But I know the new guys we got work they ass off & play with 🔥... I'm ok with that #Argos

— Ricky Foley (@Foley4Real) February 17, 2017

[jerrym]

He'e probably not the only thinking along these lines and might be available to the Argos.

No one wants to sign a 33 year old Canadian tackle with 2 or 3 more 9 game seasons left?

— Dan Federkeil (@dfederkeil) February 14, 2017

[Wobbler]

I like his sense of humor.

[jerrym]

Calgary must have read Dan Federkeil's tweet (see post #219).

A vet returns to the @calstampeders OL @dfederkeil re-ups ➡️https://t.co/8ek1HOTLEX #CFLFA pic.twitter.com/9HQkf7QEha

— CFL (@CFL) February 17, 2017

[jerrym]

As always, the Argos and Ticats destinies seemed tied together, including in free agency this year.

In the days leading up to the Labour Day Classic, former Hamilton Tiger-Cats offensive lineman Peter Dyakowski used to lead his teammates in a colourful song filled with unprintable insults about their upcoming opponent and arch rival Toronto Argonauts. Dyakowski will be singing a different tune this season but the animus that exists between the two organizations should be very much intact — particularly after a free agency period that already has seen several players head down the QEW at the urging of a couple of former Ticat staffers — assistant general manager Spencer Zimmerman and advisor Tommy Condell — now running things on an interim basis for the Argonauts.
Both teams have had an interesting start to the opening of free agency. The Argos missed out on a couple of big name targets early on — including defensive backs Abdul Kanneh and Emanuel Davis who came to Hamilton — but have since added Dyakowski, quarterback Jeff Mathews and defensive back Johnny Sears, all former Ticats. They’ve also signed receiver Jeff Fuller, linebacker Winston Venable and a number of Canadians. It’s a solid, if unspectacular haul, even after the inauspicious start.
The Ticats, meanwhile, followed the blueprint laid out by Austin. They landed Kanneh, one of their high-profile targets, while re-signing the all-star Davis and once again rewarding talent they’ve developed from within.Extending receiver Brian Tyms, a late-season pickup who showed tremendous promise in limited action, coupled with the extension for Terrence Toliver, shores up a receiving corps that will be without Chad Owens (signed in Saskatchewan) and Andy Fantuz (who is a free agent and will miss extended time with a knee injury no matter who he plays for.) And there may be more help coming. Receiver Terrell Sinkfield has reportedly agreed to a contract in principle to return to the Ticats but has until April to take advantage an NFL opportunity, should one materialize. While that’s certainly possible, it would be a stretch to call it likely and so Hamilton is likely penciling in another speedy receiver with a 1,000 yard season on his resume. So the receiving corps, so ravaged by injury last season, now looks something like this: Luke Tasker, Tyms, Tolliver, Sinkfield and a Canadian (Spencer Watt or Mike Jones, likely) with a steady dose of Brandon Banks. Junior Collins provides veteran insurance. It’s a nice mix of experience and potential, size and speed.
The defensive backfield, meanwhile, features two all-stars in Kanneh and Davis and a Canadian safety in Courtney Stephen. They have the option to play a second national in Craig Butler, if they need or want to. The other spots will be filled by the cornucopia of American defensive backs either already on the roster, on the negotiation list or on their way to a free agent camp. It’s still a question mark but there’s a solid nucleus, to be sure.
There have been some inevitable departures but virtually all were by design. Dyakowski, for all his off-field value, is on the down side and Sears played just eight games in two years due to injury. Mathews was a third-string quarterback who’ll be replaced by someone younger and with more potential (at least in the eyes of the Ticats.) Running back Anthony Woodson has been supplanted by Burlington’s Mercer Timmis — both younger and cheaper — while defensive tackle Drake Nevis left for Winnipeg after getting a deal the Ticats had no intention of matching. Given their atrocious injury luck the last couple of seasons, the Ticats are clearly being cautious in this regard. Toliver’s deal includes play-time and performance incentives. ...
The Ticats and Argos play each other three times this season, including marquee games to open the season and on Labour Day. There’s plenty of history and bad blood, both historically and in more recent times. It will be interesting to see, once all is said and done, who is singing a happy song.

http://3downnation.com/2017/02/17/ti...agency-always/

[jerrym]

Another player wondering about his future who might be will to sign without expecting big money.

I just don't know where things went wrong? Coachable, work hard, mentor young guys, never in trouble! May be outspoken not disrespectful tho

— Jovon Johnson (@Mr_Consistent_2) February 18, 2017

[ArgoRavi]

Another player wondering about his future who might be will to sign without expecting big money.

I just don't know where things went wrong? Coachable, work hard, mentor young guys, never in trouble! May be outspoken not disrespectful tho
— Jovon Johnson (@Mr_Consistent_2) February 18, 2017

For anyone left unsigned at this point, the big money is pretty well gone and they will have to take what they can get.

[jerrym]

The #Argos have signed Canadian DB @MattBlack39. #CFLFA pic.twitter.com/FqOdheDrpW

— Toronto Argonauts PR (@Argonauts_PR) February 17, 2017

[R.J]

Still some decent/good names out there like Cash, Lavaris, Deane, MacDonell, Paden (I'd like to see the Argos go after him), Greenwood (I hope he re-signs), Johnny Adams, Chiles, Elliott, Murray, Robinson, Boudreaux, Minter, Greg Wilson (How has he not been signed yet ?), Bailey, Batiste, Ojo (if he doesn't sign with an NFL team), Allen (I hope the Argos go after him, I'm getting tired of small "scatback" types), and Sinkfield (who will sign with the Cats if an NFL opportunity doesn't occur by Apr IIRC).

[Jon Gonzo]

Still some decent/good names out there like Cash, Lavaris, Deane, MacDonell, Paden (I'd like to see the Argos go after him), Greenwood (I hope he re-signs), Johnny Adams, Chiles, Elliott, Murray, Robinson, Boudreaux, Minter, Greg Wilson (How has he not been signed yet ?), Bailey, Batiste, Ojo (if he doesn't sign with an NFL team), Allen (I hope the Argos go after him, I'm getting tired of small "scatback" types), and Sinkfield (who will sign with the Cats if an NFL opportunity doesn't occur by Apr IIRC).

Still lots of holes on this team. I can see CFL experience will be at a premium this season if they want to compete. Especially if the staff comes in from the States, and doesn't surround itself with a CFL experienced staff. To my eye this team still needs a LT (Van Roten), an Inside Receiver (Gurley/Getlaf) and outside receiver (Elliott, Chiles), they need a CB (Watkins, Jovon Johnson, Maacho), they need a lineman (Laing, Minter, Cash, Hall, Cummings), they need Cory Greenwood, and they need a RB (Canadian and American). Maybe we see old friend Curtis Steele back in here? If they're going with Coombs, they'd better back him up with a guy who can block and play teams. Coombs hasn't looked to be full time, durable RB material to this point.

As it stands, this team has the worst roster in the entire league at present time.

They'll be pressed to even compete, and the certainly won't if they don't get a Coach ready to go -- even a temp at this point.

If they don't address most of these holes, then this team is mailing it in based on Copeland's so called 'long term vision.'

I don't trust his vision, as I have witnessed nothing but blindness up until now.