Argos James Wilder Jr issues statement that he won't be playing in 2018

[1971GreyCup]

http://3downnation.com/2018/01/24/ar...ont-play-2018/

[Argofan_1000]

http://3downnation.com/2018/01/24/ar...ont-play-2018/

He needs to be paid properly and minimum isn't enough.

[Scooter McCray]

What a huge disappointment all around. Was so looking forward to Wilder being a starter for a full season and seeing what he could do. He could have been a key marketing piece to build support for the 2018 season with new fans. They couldn't come up with a little more or a personal services contract?

[Scooter McCray]

Isn't it a situation like this where MLSE could say here is some more money via a personal services contract. I mean whatever he gets paid is a fraction of what they pay their top athletes on their other teams and Wilder is that important to the Argo offence. Without him Ray gets blitzed every down and the Argo attack looks very different.

[rdavies]

I guess I shouldn't be surprised but judging from the comments I am in the minority on this one. Zero sympathy from me on reneging on a contract. Without sticking to contracts we are nothing better than the likes of the XFL and we all know all those leagues that have come and gone.

Good player, but nobody the likes of Popp and Trestman can't effectively replace.

[Mightygoose]

It's really too bad It's coming to this. Hard to see why the team wouldn't give him NFL opportunities. At the same time, he does have a contract at the salary agreed upon. If he didn't have an outstanding season and rookie of the year, no one would bat an eye.

Hopefully, something gets worked out. Otherwise, this will be near or at the top of the list of Q & A during Town Hall.

[R.J]

I can understand where Wilder is coming from, but can't say I feel sorry for him. He signed the deal, and if he didn't have the second half season he had, would we even hear a huff ?
Hopefully Popp can find us a top notch RB, as I'm not sold on Martese Jackson (5'6") and Ben Malena (5'9") being the every down guys. Coombs looks to be locked in the slot/"hybrid" position, and McDaniel didn't even get a look.

[ArgoZ]

This is a situation where you can see both sides of the story, good and bad. It really does bring a huge dose of reality for us fans. Think about it, Wilder, a football hero to myself, makes less than half of what most of the employees at my construction firm do. Sad, really. He did sign the contract, at a time that no one else wanted him. The league average works out to around $100k mathematically, but the Argos have too much money set aside for quarterbacks right now. As of note, Wilder got a nice bonus winning the Grey Cup (20g's) so his life is not that terrible, just not guaranteed.

From a player standpoint. It is unfair that a team can get rid of them, whenever they want, if they underperform or are overpaid, yet can hold them hostage if the sign an option contract. Jim Barker would let players go, and we hated him for it. This is what happens when you don't. It's a no win. Our owners pay 10 million to a soccer player, yet can't pay 50g's to our star back, salary cap I know, but explain that to the players.

[Scooter McCray]

This situation goes beyond football for the team. Wilder made a name for himself last year and he is a face of this franchise and it's success last year. Extensive marketing and full use of the media juggernaut that is MLSE could have been used to make him a household name amongst the top athletes in the city. On the other side did Wilder give the very new ownership and Popp an opportunity to explore creative avenues to keep him here.

[Neely2005]

I find it difficult to believe that the Argonauts didn't offer him a significant raise. Sounds like sour grapes about not being released to try out for the NFL.

[OV Argo]

I guess I shouldn't be surprised but judging from the comments I am in the minority on this one. Zero sympathy from me on reneging on a contract. Without sticking to contracts we are nothing better than the likes of the XFL and we all know all those leagues that have come and gone.

Good player, but nobody the likes of Popp and Trestman can't effectively replace.

Exactly.

And I really feel for the poor baby - only making 55K (with added play-off bonus money) for 6 months work, doing a job / playing a game you love. And in doing so - gets a shot at much bigger CFL reward or possibly a huge NFL pay-day down the road.

I was looking forward to seeing him play again for the Argos again too - had a few fantastic games (along with a few sub-par to ordinary ones)

But he can shove that attitude about the CFL up his @r$e sideways IMO; sure, guy's gotta do what he gotta do to take care of himself and his family - everybody gets this. So have fun working construction pal.

And Popp can easily find another good RB.

[paulwoods13]

It's very disappointing that he has taken this stance. The Argos are merely playing by the rules -- they've done nothing wrong here. If they had released him to pursue NFL dreams, a lot of fans would be screaming at them. They could have offered to renegotiate his deal, and for all we know maybe they did. But based on half a season, should he jump to the head of the pay scale? Is he about himself, or a team player willing to perform for a full season so he can get a huge second contract?

[Neely2005]

This is a situation where you can see both sides of the story, good and bad. It really does bring a huge dose of reality for us fans. Think about it, Wilder, a football hero to myself, makes less than half of what most of the employees at my construction firm do. Sad, really. He did sign the contract, at a time that no one else wanted him. The league average works out to around $100k mathematically, but the Argos have too much money set aside for quarterbacks right now. As of note, Wilder got a nice bonus winning the Grey Cup (20g's) so his life is not that terrible, just not guaranteed.

From a player standpoint. It is unfair that a team can get rid of them, whenever they want, if they underperform or are overpaid, yet can hold them hostage if the sign an option contract. Jim Barker would let players go, and we hated him for it. This is what happens when you don't. It's a no win. Our owners pay 10 million to a soccer player, yet can't pay 50g's to our star back, salary cap I know, but explain that to the players.

Fair point but he also 'works' half the year and is doing something that he loves.

[Will]

It's very disappointing that he has taken this stance. The Argos are merely playing by the rules -- they've done nothing wrong here. If they had released him to pursue NFL dreams, a lot of fans would be screaming at them. They could have offered to renegotiate his deal, and for all we know maybe they did. But based on half a season, should he jump to the head of the pay scale? Is he about himself, or a team player willing to perform for a full season so he can get a huge second contract?

All valid questions.

[Stevoman]

Well, this off-season had become too good to be true. I knew we'd face some adversity sooner or later. This is saddening because we were all looking forward to a full season with him. There is also a tremendous amount of marketing opportunity to go along with the guy because he has an infectious personality as well as all the physical tools.
Perhaps this is his bargaining tool; going public with the threat of sitting out so the Argos come back with a much better offer?
In the end, I really don't think many players are there for the team and we as fans are naive if we think so. They are playing for the names on the back of their jerseys much more than the name on the front and especially in a league where comparatively they don't make much, we can't really blame them.

[Argo57]

Today’s melodramatic announcement begs the question, who is the real James Wilder?
Humble team first player who seemed grateful the Argos gave him a chance👍
I’ve given you a half season of good football so pay up or I’m gone!
You would think there is a compromise in there somewhere?
Carry on and start recruiting RB’s for training camp.

[doubleblue]

I wouldn't be surprised that Popp did offer more money based on what Wilder did last season. But if James has a good offer from a NFL team he would want to go right away. Making 400,000 + US is a lot different. Import RB's in the CFL are lucky to make 100,000 Can. I also expect his Father really wants him to play in the NFL as he seemed to be involved in whether James would sign with the Argos in the first place.
We also have to remember the new contract with the CFLPA is coming up next year. That could be a factor in the impasse as well.

This is disappointing to say the least, but the Argos will have to move on and look for a replacement. Something like this happens every year. Somebody good retires for some reason or other. Could open the door for Messam but they won't get him for 56,000 that's for sure.

[argotom]

Of course a contract is a contract, but at the same time how many times do we see coaches getting out of their contracts.
The old understanding nudge nudge wink wink if a coach can better himself he is let go.
Same thing for players in our league being let go to try out with the NFL.
I am not sure how this is any different.
Bottom line, negotiate with him and give a significant raise to sign a multi year deal.

[Stevoman]

The other thing that sucks about this is the constant turnover on a CFL roster. Hard to get excited about any player if they are only around for a year or two.

[Jon Gonzo]

Who can live in Toronto (or Vancouver) for $56,000 a year? I did it 20 years ago, but I was single and that all changed. Maybe one/two years of scraping by as a rookie. But if you're married and pushing 30; no way. Not sure why this long winded statement had to be issued, but it does give us fans a realistic look at what these everyday family men, go through. It's his right to walk away. I would understand. It's too bad, but I get it. Family first, and I have no reason to believe that he doesn't mean that. If I were Popp; however, I would figure out a way to get the man a few more nickels to rub together/ or set him free with a handshake.

He has the ability to move the meters and continue to be a difference maker.

Any idea what Kendall Hunter is doing? Oh, probably saying no to 56K. That's what (;.

I think it's time for the CFLPA to grow a pair and get a bigger percentage of some of these soon to be re-negotiated TV contracts.

If this league wants to be more than a roster turnstile, it's got to get with the times. It's expensive out there; especially playing for 75cents on the dollar