Foley Released

[ArgoGabe22]

Is anyone surprised? He's deleted the tweet but said (paraphrasing): "released via text message from the Assistant GM. Keep it classy".

[Will]

I guess he didn't agree to restructure his contract.

[mchesher03]

Surprised it took this long. We can wax on about his off-field involvement, etc.– all great things that can be commended.

Simple fact is he didn’t produce much last year and he’s turning 36 years old this year? Writing was on the wall.

Maybe he catches on elsewhere but somehow I doubt it. We’ll see though.

[Will]

I am not a huge fan of the way he was allegedly released, but was he really generating the production expected from the DE position? Fact is that the D-line was porous last year and aside from Lemon not particularly effective at the pass rush.

[Jon Gonzo]

Football is a cold business, but 35 year old expensive football players who are trending the wrong way with chronic injuries -- shouldn't take it personally. It's almost a no brainer for a GM. Ricky was one of the finest Canadian DE's ever. 3 time Grey Cup winner and an MVP. Get fitted for the Hall brother, you done good.

[Neely2005]

They should really at least pick up the phone and call him. I think that any player deserves at least that much.

[AngeloV]

I am not a huge fan of the way he was allegedly released, but was he really generating the production expected from the DE position? Fact is that the D-line was porous last year and aside from Lemon not particularly effective at the pass rush.

It's too bad IMO. I don't think he was nearly as bad as some people that only look at stats think he was. Lemon was playing the weak side of the field which is more of the rush end spot, and Foley as a result had a lot more outside contain responsibilities. His speed really works well at that spot.

[Jon Gonzo]

Absolutely they should, but there must have been some interchange going on if he was offered a re-structured contract? On another front; I think the Argos will draft a DE or LB with the 10th pick. Malumba, Boeteng, Mackie....

[Jon Gonzo]

and ironically, the man/team mate/friend he was so stoked about seeing return (B.Whit) just likely got his money

[Shatto]

Sorry to see him leave, as he was one of the few players who was visible both during the season and also in the off season. In all likelihood he balked at contract restructuring ( taking pay cut). It is understandable as others have indicated, that at his age, with high contract and diminishing productivity, he was in a vulnerable position. It is difficult to find fault with the decision itself but if the reports of how he was notified are true, it leaves a bad taste.
It is disturbing how the Assistant GM seems to be treating long standing loyal players. Surely Foley deserved better than a text message, telling him he was gone. Also Drurie appears to be set adrift with little communication from management. These are local players who have contributed greatly to the team during their careers. They deserve better treatment than they appear to be getting. Maybe there is more to the story, if so then the fans deserve to know.

[Antwon]

As for the business side of things, I get it. Management trying to get veterans to take pay cuts, to the players saying no.
But considering Foley's career and how much he put into the Argos, he deserved more than a text!!!!
The optics look bad as they gave the forever injured Ray the starting job before seeing him in camp. Then sign an aging RB.(guessing Whitaker signed for cheap)


To Ricky, always classy and played every down with heart!
And thanks for the pic at the double blue bash Grey Cup week!

[Wobbler]

This limits our options for starting NATs. I wonder if Foley thought so too, and refused to restructure because he thought he had the team over a barrel.

[RoRoYoBoat]

The leak to 3downnation probably had more to do with it than anything. He was cut within an hour of the story being published. Went from a restructuring discussion to a text message.

[ArgoZ]

And the reduced price for his Jersey ended up telling the future, crazy. There's obviously more to the story than a text message.

[gilthethrill]

They should really at least pick up the phone and call him. I think that any player deserves at least that much.

The article posted in 3downation made mention that the Argos tried contacting Foley by phone several times. What else could they have done? Go knock on his door?

[R.J]

TBH, if Foley wasn't willing to restructure (significant pay decrease), then the move doesn't bother me. While I'm a big fan of his, Foley hasn't played well the last two seasons. I still hold out hope that sometime soon, the team gets Van Zeyl to "restructure" his deal.

[Shatto]

Most agree that Foley has lost a step and recent performances have not been up to his top performance years. That along with his age and high cost, would lead one to think that he would have recognized the situation and have accepted a salary reduction. Not doing so resulted in the inevitable--his release.
However, management should have made all possible attempts to reach out to him so he could have been informed personally. Since he was reached through text, why wasn't a text sent, informing him he had a certain timeline to contact management or decisions would be made without that contact. For those who have been in the position of releasing staff (firing), you know how unpleasant that task is but caring organizations make every possible effort to do so face to face or at the very least through a direct phone call.
Players like Foley and Durie are local players who have hugely contributed to the team's success in the past and they have always shown outstanding loyalty to the organization and many ways they have been the public face of the team. It is not too much to expect the organization recognize that and treat these players with the respect they have earned.

[Neely2005]

Heard them talking about this on CFRB 1010 (which is owned by Bell) from the view of being fired by Text and of course they had to take some shots at the Argonauts and their lack of fans.

[paulwoods13]

I liked Foley and will be forever grateful for his contribution to our GC in 2012. But a Hall of Famer? I'll eat my hat when that happens.

[Argo57]

Most agree that Foley has lost a step and recent performances have not been up to his top performance years. That along with his age and high cost, would lead one to think that he would have recognized the situation and have accepted a salary reduction. Not doing so resulted in the inevitable--his release.
However, management should have made all possible attempts to reach out to him so he could have been informed personally. Since he was reached through text, why wasn't a text sent, informing him he had a certain timeline to contact management or decisions would be made without that contact. For those who have been in the position of releasing staff (firing), you know how unpleasant that task is but caring organizations make every possible effort to do so face to face or at the very least through a direct phone call.
Players like Foley and Durie are local players who have hugely contributed to the team's success in the past and they have always shown outstanding loyalty to the organization and many ways they have been the public face of the team. It is not too much to expect the organization recognize that and treat these players with the respect they have earned.

Well stated Shatto, although there is always a story behind the story the organization should take extra care in how they handle these situations (especially when popular vets are involved).
Just saw the announcement on CFTO sports, Lance Brown highlighted the fact that it was done by text which doesn't reflect well at all.