Agree on all counts with the exception of Messam. Great runner, but IMO wouldn't mesh with the Argos style of offence. For his size not a very good blocker, and Cross is much better catching the ball out of the backfield. Also doesn't take as long as Messam to get going after he catches the ball.
It's us vs the rest of the country
It would not be a cost-efficient use of resources IMO to have Messam and Wilder in the same backfield.
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
A little bit of wishful thinking I admit. But would only work if Messam would agree to be part time player seeing he will be 33. Trestman's offense with Ricky Ray is based on quick short passes to set up the occasional long pass. Messam could line up as a TE on some plays with Wilder at the RB spot, but could release for a short pass and make those DB's pay a price with YAC yards. Then he could line up some at RB and let Wilder go out as a SB pass receiver. Wilder is right up there with S.J. Green as a receiver in tight coverage IMO. Nobody plays in the backfield full time anymore. Wilder and Cross and others were in and out from play to play last year. 3 and 1 anywhere on the field I like the idea of having Jerome Messam lining up as the RB. He's might not be the Fridge but a very intimidating ball carrier. Just his presence opens up other areas at key moments.
We've signed Toronto locals Llevi Noel and D.J. Sackey to contract extensions through 2019. ✍️✍️
— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) January 10, 2018
🗞 » https://t.co/xq3Mo5w4JF #ArgosFootball #CFL pic.twitter.com/ZQpDpDTHNq
Neither of these guys were free agents, but I think expanding the scope of this thread a bit makes more sense than having a second, related thread.
Noel is no surprise, but the Sackey extension is interesting. Apparently we might still have plans for "the forgotten lineman"...
Sackey could return to the defensive side of the ball.
First of all, I think there's little or no chance we'll sign Messam so it's probably moot, but if we did, or if for some other reason we decided to use Cross less on offence, why should we send him somewhere else? No team is under any obligation to "do what's best for the player," especially if it means surrendering an asset.
For the record, I expect Cross will continue to be an important part of our team, both on offence and specials, and I'm very glad we have him. My comment is not in any way meant to denigrate the guy. But like every other member of the team, he's an asset that mgmt. will (and should) utilize as it sees fit.
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'm glad both guys have been re-signed, and love these two-year deals. Noel is obviously a key member of our special teams, with some potential upside on offence. Who knows what Sackey will become but he's a big o-lineman in whom we have invested for two years, and I hate to see guys like that walk unless they clearly aren't gonna develop or are too expensive to justify keeping.
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
Whoops. I must have clicked on an old site. Himebauch is still listed as the O Line Coach and Justin Poindexter the assistant. Browning did leave last year because of health reasons I believe.
Also noticed that Tommy Condell may being leaving the Argos as there is nothing listed on him now.
Lets just hope Trestman is still around come TC. That would be a major drag if he is back in the NFL
I firmly believe that Trestman will only head back to the NFL for a head coaching position, which I doubt will happen again. He was in Montreal for five years - and rumoured to be leaving every off-season - and only left for an NFL head coaching position. He has gone on record numerous times in the past about how the CFL head coaching lifestyle suits him quite nicely.
Chad Kelly + Dan Adeboboye + David Ungerer + Damonte Coxie + DaVaris Daniels + Dejon Brissett = Unstoppable Force
I couldn't agree more. Wilder is a better RB IMO and is more suited to the Argo offence because of his far superior receiving skills. Using both in a meaningful manner in the same backfield would also require a major change in offensive strategy that simply doesn't suit the Argos' pass-oriented offence.
Llevi's role in the Argo's success this year has often been overlooked. After leading the team in ST tackles in 2016, he was a ST monster this year, tying for second in ST tackles with 27, as well as having an outstanding Grey Cup game, in which he set a team-record five ST tackles. In addition, in signing him the Argo's have also added depth at National receiver with time for growth at this position.
http://3downnation.com/2018/01/10/ar...ct-extensions/The 26-year-old Toronto native had a club-record five special-teams tackles in its 27-24 Grey Cup win over the Calgary Stampeders in November.
“Llevi is an outstanding special-teams player who is also showing growth in our offence and we’re excited to welcome him back for another couple of years,” general manager Jim Popp said in a statement.
Last edited by jerrym; 01-11-2018 at 07:17 AM.
SJ Green: "I would be an idiot to leave Trestman and Popp".
I think we can expect him to re-sign.
Ricky Ray has told Popp he will let the team know whether he will return or retire before free agency starts on February 13th.
http://3downnation.com/2018/01/11/ri...e-free-agency/The Argos know when Ricky Ray will make a decision about his football future.
“He’s going to give us an answer before free agency starts,’’ Argos general manager Jim Popp told the Toronto Sun. “We’ve had good dialogue, not just with me, but he’s had his talks with coach (Marc) Trestman, coach (Marcus) Brady, but there’s been no pressure in terms of us saying: ‘What are you going to do?’ That’s been ongoing.”
Bookmarks