There is growing speculation that QB James Franklin will sign with his former boss, Chris Jones.
http://torontosun.com/sports/footbal...gn-on-to-argosFranklin is set to be eyeing a one-year deal and his name has already been linked with Saskatchewan, where GM/head coach Chris Jones is fully aware of the potential and explosive play Franklin can bring to the field.
The Riders will have to decide on Brandon Bridge, who announced following the team’s loss to the Argos in the East final, that negotiations have begun.
If Franklin does sign with the Riders, it's more likely that Brandon Bridge will head elsewhere, possibly giving the Argos a chance to get him.
I don't get the Bridge to Toronto link. Not a prototypical Trestman QB and it was Jim Popp who tried converting Bridge to receiver and ultimately the reason why he left for Saskatchewan.
And i'm not buying the whole "A Canadian QB will be good for the TO market"
Everybody, including Popp, makes mistakes. IMO, Bridge an Argonaut would be the best news since waking up on a recent Monday morning to see "Argonauts 27 - Stampeders 24". Similarly, a Canadian QB, from the GTA, in the GTA market can only help, not hinder. I find that idea pleasant to contemplate, and I'm sure a healthy number of other current, returning, and future fans (will) feel the same.
I think people are really overrating him because he's from Toronto. He showed signs of great ability, but still showed signs of being inconsistent. I hope he turns out to be great, but I'm still not sold that it's a slam dunk at this point. Jonathan Jennings was supposed to have a super season in 2017 and by the end of the season his future as a starter is being questioned.
It's us vs the rest of the country
I see Sean McEwen is the all-star center which is not unexpected. He could be the next one headed South, but hopefully has one more year on his contract. Keeping the O Line together for next year might factor into Ricky coming back for another year.
Sean has 2 years remaining on his current contact - after year 1 he was extended through 2019..........
Cleyon Laing extension expected.
More good news.
Looks like he was D.Priority #1. Makes sense. All-Star Ratio buster who is in his prime at 27. Although I'd really like to see SJ Green, Edwards and Posey all back, there are some excellent Receivers available as options for replacement. There are significantly less homebrew all-star defensive players.
I had him pegged as one that may fly the coop.
Excellent signing.
Agree with Jon G, an excellent signing. Any time a team can sign a 27 year old All-Eastern All Star who is National, it is a real coup. It also appears that Popp has learned from his Montreal experience and made sure the team has a first rate QB in the wings if and when Ray retires.
Really like the way the team is shaping up for next year.
Excellent signing!
This is great news! The Argos had one of the best front four's in the league last year and with Laing re-signing this, I believe, means that they will all be back. One of the things that Popp and the rest of the front office did well last year was put together plenty of depth in the front four. IIRC, Wynn was not a game #1 starter, but emerged in that spot due to injuries. Gaydosh and Finley also contributed positively.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS FOOTBALL CLUB
GREY CUP CHAMPIONS: 1914, 1921, 1933, 1937, 1938, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1950, 1952, 1983, 1991, 1996, 1997, 2004, 2012, 2017, 2022
If it's true he signed a two-year deal, that's huge. Means he has abandoned the NFL dream and won't join the parade of one-year free agents every season. He's a massively important piece of the defence.
Year of the Rocket: John Candy, Wayne Gretzky, a Crooked Tycoon, and the Craziest Season in Football History (https://sutherlandhousebooks.com/pro...of-the-rocket/)
Bouncing Back: From National Joke to Grey Cup Champs (https://bit.ly/3fvip5x)
YOTR YouTube https://bit.ly/37jtG4f
BB YouTube https://bit.ly/2TSYPs7
Excellent !
Love to see that D-line come back and play a full season together & stay healthy. Laing & Wynn at DT (with Finley or Gaydosh as capable rotation guys), and Lemon & Butler at DE is league best calibre IMO; just like to see another DE emerge as a rotation guy to help there - IMO the 2 DEs were not often full force all game long and most CFL teams now seem to go with plenty of rotation on their D-lines - keeps guys fresh/gives a different look to the O-line. Disappointing, IMO, that the Argos 2nd draft pick last year - Evan Foster - did not emerge for at least some playing time at DE - maybe he wasn't ready and could be now after some good ole "seasoning"? Meanwhile - 5th rounder DE Kwaku Boateng was an instant impact player for the Esks when he got a shot to play.
Year of the Rocket: John Candy, Wayne Gretzky, a Crooked Tycoon, and the Craziest Season in Football History (https://sutherlandhousebooks.com/pro...of-the-rocket/)
Bouncing Back: From National Joke to Grey Cup Champs (https://bit.ly/3fvip5x)
YOTR YouTube https://bit.ly/37jtG4f
BB YouTube https://bit.ly/2TSYPs7
I don't expect every FA to be re-signed but seeing a core Canadian be a priority for Popp shows that they are moving in the right direction. I never would have originally thought Laing to be loyal to the Argos with constant rumours to Edmonton, and all the the NFL trails, BUT during his last NFL go around he still attended Argos games. May be from Edmonton, but I do think he considers Toronto home now. And i'm glad he saw the light and wants to be here.
I have to believe Popp will get just about everybody he really wants back to defend the Cup. How much did each player on the Argo's make for winning the Grey Cup. I don't know (25,000-30,000) total? That's huge for some of these guys making 60,000.
So Popp's pitch can be "hey we can do it again if you sign with us".
Still think Ricky is coming back and will get well paid. He could be doing off season work for MLSE making an extra 250,000 out there in California checking out the sand on the beach for all we know. Oh and then sign for just another 250,000 to make sure they're under the cap. Tiger-Cat fans want to make sure the Argo's don't go over the cap. lol
About signing other teams FA's? Don't believe Popp will break the bank trying to sign anybody, just remind them there always a good chance of making that extra playoff money. It is much cheaper to find guys at their free agent camps that have been out of football for a year and are hungry. Guys like Butler, Tuggle, Wilder, Wynn and Campbell etc. were just names signed in the off season. Turned out pretty good IMO. But hey if a player like Messam wants to play for his home town for a reasonable amount. I wouldn't mind seeing him and Wilder in the same backfield. I think Wilder is a great receiver coming out of the back field BTW. Travis Bond would be an upgrade at guard. The #1 job on offense is throwing up a wall to protect Ricky IMO and what better way to upgrade that than by signing Messam (6'3 255) and Bond (6'7 350). The Cross fans might be upset, but you go for all the marbles as long as Ricky Ray is performing at a high level. 3 and 1 happens very often in the CFL and what better guy to have back there than Jerome Messam. Cross could still get his minutes and play ST's where he's also needed. Sound like fantasy? Hey it's the off season and dreaming time.
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