2017 In-Season Transactions

[doubleblue]

I liked the Argos draft last spring at first, but now - not so much. Woods doing zero (at a spot of weakness on the team) and Foster next to nothing; Woodson & Onyeka have at least played some STs to contribute a bit.

5th round picks for other teams - D-linemen Justin Vaughn & Kwaku Boateng, have played plenty of reps on D and looked pretty good, IMO. Argos could have taken either of them.

Still early to judge a draft and of course thems NIs need time to "develop"; we shall see next season if any of those 4 Argo draft picks I mentioned play bigger roles; Brian Jones, Sackey and Jamal Campbell for that matter too.

A lot of swings and misses the last couple of years by the Argos, but they still got a few goods ones who can be starters IMO. McEwen OC, Jamal Campbell OT, Llevi Noel WR and Robert Woodson at Safety. Brian Jones maybe a rotation guy. I have made it known several times that Barker could've and should've taken Lauzon-Seguin instead of Jones, but I've got to let that go, because what's done is done. Then you have FA's like Ralph and Williams who are getting some playing time. Late pick MLB Herdman to me is a better bet than Foote to see some playing time. Plays ST's now and got in the game last week made a tackle. Foote is more a MLB size at 5'10 225.

Woods... I don't know. He's got the size but does he have the heart. Wasn't it Boateng who's only 6'0 240 that just pancaked Woods at the combine. Maybe he's not strong enough in the upper body yet and that's something they have him working on. IMO he got show enough next year to at least get in the line up as one of the back ups.
But it does make one wonder how well some teams really scout the Canadian players in the CIS. Many of them turn out better than the NCAA Canadian players.

[ArgoRavi]

I liked the Argos draft last spring at first, but now - not so much. Woods doing zero (at a spot of weakness on the team) and Foster next to nothing; Woodson & Onyeka have at least played some STs to contribute a bit.

5th round picks for other teams - D-linemen Justin Vaughn & Kwaku Boateng, have played plenty of reps on D and looked pretty good, IMO. Argos could have taken either of them.

Still early to judge a draft and of course thems NIs need time to "develop"; we shall see next season if any of those 4 Argo draft picks I mentioned play bigger roles; Brian Jones, Sackey and Jamal Campbell for that matter too.

Woodson played a decent amount on defence before his injury while Herdman has been playing on defence in recent weeks. Did you honestly expect Woods to start or play much this year? I sure didn't. Regarding Foster, the Argos simply happen to have a number of solid performers ahead of him on the depth chart.

[OV Argo]

We can judge this draft in 3 years. There are some picks that are off to great beginnings indeed. The CFL Canadian Draft is one of the most important parts of a franchises future and the GM's put a great deal of time and effort into it because of that. A team is only as good as it's Canadians. I have personally heard it uttered by CFL GM's and staff ad nauseam in the past....and this hasn't changed one bit in present day.

Be interesting to see Popp's thinking for next year's draft.

A good number of O-linemen rated highly on the CFL Scouting Bureau - 4 NCAA Div I starters and a few CIS all-star types.

And the likes of Van Zeyl (older, injured some), Holmes (really struggled at times IMO) and the other guard spot (Deane/Watman) = hardly stellar starters going forward to me and upgrades might be required ? . McEwen is very good IMO and could be a stalwart for years. Not sure if the likes of Sackey, Campbell (last year's draft) & Woods (this year's) are that highly regarded? - they have not been given shots at playing time (even a one game trial) to see if they could be upgrades.

Popp went with an all-NI O-Line in Montreal and always seemed to draft a bunch of O-linemen. There is usually a good FA O-linemen or 2 to be had.

And with the likes of Coombs, Ralph, Noel, Jones or Williams (plus Charette added) maybe all available - is there any real need to add another receiver to the mix there?

Gaydosh, Finley, Laing, Foster at D-line; Herdman & Onyeka as young linebackers; Gabriel, Woodson, maybe Black still as depth NI DBs or possible safety starters. Cross seems very good as a capable H-back and could be solid there for years maybe.


We shall see how important the draft could be next season. Maybe not that much ?

[Shatto]

Regarding the release of 2 QB's and signing one, in all likelihood the team is taking advantage of the extended PR roster to audition QB's who they may wish to bring back to next year's training camp. Along with Fajardo, Bethel-Thompson, Prukop and Matthews, another couple of QB's will probably be invited to next year's camp. A lot will depend upon Ray's plans for next year and any possible signing of any experienced CFL QB.

[Jon Gonzo]

Regarding the release of 2 QB's and signing one, in all likelihood the team is taking advantage of the extended PR roster to audition QB's who they may wish to bring back to next year's training camp. Along with Fajardo, Bethel-Thompson, Prukop and Matthews, another couple of QB's will probably be invited to next year's camp. A lot will depend upon Ray's plans for next year and any possible signing of any experienced CFL QB.

Agreed. Auditions for Bradenton. Personally, I don't think we'll be seeing Matthews past this season and I believe we'll see the addition of a Starter. We could also see Ricky Ray re-sign with a performance based contract with the promise that he learns the ropes as an Assistant to the OC. Ricky wants to coach. But I think he wants to play some more too. Next year he'll be 38, and we saw Damon play to what, 41? RR can nibble away at the record books, learn how to coach and come in and change some games with his cerebral abilities.

[Wobbler]

There was a bit of churn on the PR this week. Trey Williams was signed and Wooten + Epps dropped.

Hopefully the departure of Wooten (who has played a fair bit in the CFL) means we're less worried about our secondary depth and that some of our guys will come off the IR soon.

[Rich]

There was a bit of churn on the PR this week. Trey Williams was signed and Wooten + Epps dropped.

Trey Williams' college QB for two seasons was none other than Johnny Manziel. Coincidence? Maybe.

[Wobbler]

Also today:

TOR ADD FROM INJURED NAT Chris VAN ZEYL (OL) McMaster – Removed from 6-game injured list
TOR ADD FROM INJURED NAT Cameron WALKER (DL) Guelph – Removed from 6-game injured list
TOR ADD FROM INJURED INT Bear WOODS (LB) Troy – Removed from 6-game injured list

I don't think I've ever seen a team remove three guys from the six-game IR in one day, before now. This might be (yet) more evidence that said list shouldn't be taken too seriously.

[AngeloV]

Also today:

TOR ADD FROM INJURED NAT Chris VAN ZEYL (OL) McMaster – Removed from 6-game injured list
TOR ADD FROM INJURED NAT Cameron WALKER (DL) Guelph – Removed from 6-game injured list
TOR ADD FROM INJURED INT Bear WOODS (LB) Troy – Removed from 6-game injured list

I don't think I've ever seen a team remove three guys from the six-game IR in one day, before now. This might be (yet) more evidence that said list shouldn't be taken too seriously.

The list is only there in case a player as a back up plan for cap relief reasons.

[doubleblue]

The list is only there in case a player as a back up plan for cap relief reasons.

I remember reading that there was a limit as to how many players could be brought off the 6 game early. Can't find it now in the CFL.ca rules etc.

[AngeloV]

I remember reading that there was a limit as to how many players could be brought off the 6 game early. Can't find it now in the CFL.ca rules etc.

That was when there was a 9 game injury list. I believe they were allowed to pull back 2 players in h half of the season. In essence, the 6 game was an increase to the salary cap, which allows teams to keep extra bodies. They should just increase the cap to 7 or 8M and have all injured players count against it. A lot more transparency that way.

[R.J]

I remember reading that there was a limit as to how many players could be brought off the 6 game early. Can't find it now in the CFL.ca rules etc.

https://www.cfl.ca/2014/06/13/new-fi...cfl-and-cflpa/

Amends the rules and regulations to provide for a six-game injured list, eliminating the nine-game injured list. Clubs are allowed to pull a maximum of two players off the six-game injury list early and without it counting against the salary cap for any player who continues to be on that list for more than six games.

[doubleblue]

Yah that's what I was looking for. But it says "for any player who continues to be on the list for more than six games". Van Zeyl was only on for 1 game. Saving salary cap hit maybe?

[Wobbler]

We cut four guys today. Mostly short-term PR guys, but also our former KR specialist Chandler Worthy. It's hard to argue with the decision to commit to Martese Jackson, despite his fumbling issues.

[Argo]

We cut four guys today. Mostly short-term PR guys, but also our former KR specialist Chandler Worthy. It's hard to argue with the decision to commit to Martese Jackson, despite his fumbling issues.

Worthy should catch on somewhere. IIRC (and it's been a while), he has ability and potential.