Official Toronto Argonauts-Ottawa RedBlacks Game Thread September 7, 2019

[Jon Gonzo]

Whether people want to believe it or not, the Canadian draft for the most part is a crap shoot. My guess is there are more players drafted deeper in the draft that are successful than first rounders. I really think people put way too much emphasis on the first round, which is why I never have a problem trading a first round pick. In fact, I would always trade a first round pick for multiple picks further down in the draft if I was a GM.

IMO, Woodson is as good a Canadian DB as there is in the league. I’ve been calling for him to start for the last couple of years. Probably also the best tackler we have in the secondary.

Amateur drafts are the backbone to one of the most important, if not most important, elements of building a CFL team. Even more so than other professional leagues as there are no Canadian Content regulations in the other leagues.

And yes, I have heard the word crapshoot used for any draft, but that is all relative. It doesn't make the point I have made above irrelevant. Follow the teams in any league and you will see amateur scouting and development as very high on the list, again, if not #1.

The difference is often economic. NHL teams spend MILLIONS of dollars every year with a phalanx of professional scouts. The CFL spends THOUSANDS, with one or two (sometimes) part time eyes.

Mistakes will be made in both cases, but more often in the CFL's case. But, again that is relative. It still doesn't change the fact that the team that drafts the best, builds their Cancon up quicker and the quicker and more efficiently you do that, the better the odds are of winning a Grey Cup.

The math is available that shows the effectiveness of the higher picks on a percentage basis. I have seen it somewhere along the line.

Also, while the number 1 overall picks have been complete misses in many cases (Josiah St. John, Faith Ekakitie, Mark Chapman, Linden Gaydosh and Shomari Williams) that has as much to do with the unique challenge that the CFL Draft presents.

It still remains that the other picks in the top 1 or 2 rounds are more likely to bring game-changing ratio busters to your team and help you win games.

Players like Alex Singleton, Alex Mateas, Sean McEwen, Sukh Chung, Branden Revenberg, Evan Johnson, Cameron Judge.

I get what you're saying, but I think you've underestimated the CFL Draft. I would say that history and math show us; the more picks the earlier, the better.

[AngeloV]

Amateur drafts are the backbone to one of the most important, if not most important, elements of building a CFL team. Even more so than other professional leagues as there are no Canadian Content regulations in the other leagues.

And yes, I have heard the word crapshoot used for any draft, but that is all relative. It doesn't make the point I have made above irrelevant. Follow the teams in any league and you will see amateur scouting and development as very high on the list, again, if not #1.

The difference is often economic. NHL teams spend MILLIONS of dollars every year with a phalanx of professional scouts. The CFL spends THOUSANDS, with one or two (sometimes) part time eyes.

Mistakes will be made in both cases, but more often in the CFL's case. But, again that is relative. It still doesn't change the fact that the team that drafts the best, builds their Cancon up quicker and the quicker and more efficiently you do that, the better the odds are of winning a Grey Cup.

The math is available that shows the effectiveness of the higher picks on a percentage basis. I have seen it somewhere along the line.

Also, while the number 1 overall picks have been complete misses in many cases (Josiah St. John, Faith Ekakitie, Mark Chapman, Linden Gaydosh and Shomari Williams) that has as much to do with the unique challenge that the CFL Draft presents.

It still remains that the other picks in the top 1 or 2 rounds are more likely to bring game-changing ratio busters to your team and help you win games.

Players like Alex Singleton, Alex Mateas, Sean McEwen, Sukh Chung, Branden Revenberg, Evan Johnson, Cameron Judge.

I get what you're saying, but I think you've underestimated the CFL Draft. I would say that history and math show us; the more picks the earlier, the better.

I would still rather have (for example) 5 picks in the first 3 rounds with no first rounders, than 1 pick in each of the first 3 rounds. I guess that was the point I was trying to make.

[OV Argo]

Amateur drafts are the backbone to one of the most important, if not most important, elements of building a CFL team. Even more so than other professional leagues as there are no Canadian Content regulations in the other leagues.

And yes, I have heard the word crapshoot used for any draft, but that is all relative. It doesn't make the point I have made above irrelevant. Follow the teams in any league and you will see amateur scouting and development as very high on the list, again, if not #1.

The difference is often economic. NHL teams spend MILLIONS of dollars every year with a phalanx of professional scouts. The CFL spends THOUSANDS, with one or two (sometimes) part time eyes.

Mistakes will be made in both cases, but more often in the CFL's case. But, again that is relative. It still doesn't change the fact that the team that drafts the best, builds their Cancon up quicker and the quicker and more efficiently you do that, the better the odds are of winning a Grey Cup.

The math is available that shows the effectiveness of the higher picks on a percentage basis. I have seen it somewhere along the line.

Also, while the number 1 overall picks have been complete misses in many cases (Josiah St. John, Faith Ekakitie, Mark Chapman, Linden Gaydosh and Shomari Williams) that has as much to do with the unique challenge that the CFL Draft presents.

It still remains that the other picks in the top 1 or 2 rounds are more likely to bring game-changing ratio busters to your team and help you win games.

Players like Alex Singleton, Alex Mateas, Sean McEwen, Sukh Chung, Branden Revenberg, Evan Johnson, Cameron Judge.

I get what you're saying, but I think you've underestimated the CFL Draft. I would say that history and math show us; the more picks the earlier, the better.

This year's Argo defence is featuring draft picks Laing, Gabriel, Herdman, Woodson and Robbie Smith - all solid D players who have contributed nicely; the Argos could have drafted Kwaku Boateng; they also once drafted Corey Greenwood (and could have re-signed him after he was with the Esks) - he is the best defensive player in the CFL this season (IMO). Nice to see some Canadian talent get a chance to play D in the CFL - the GOB trend the past number of years is to go with mostly imports on D (see Ottawa now with Desjardins, Campbell & Thorpe doing the thinking - yet they won their GC with mostly Canadians playing D-line).

The Als have an outstanding array of Canadian linebacker talent - Muamba, Ackie & Lokombo (with young draft picks and a vet like Plesius in reserve). They also went out and signed an all-star NI free agent D player in Loffler; draft pick from a few years back J-S Blanc could be starting at DE for them IMO, but he is used as a top special teamer more.

Smart CFL GMs & scouts can build a very good roster via the draft AND signing NI FAs or other team cuts or trading for Canadian talent - pay attention to Canadian talent and give them a shot to play - at ALL positions. 7 only thinking and always maximum number of imports on the game roster decisions takes away that chance to have a better team.

Gonzo is right IMO - hang to draft picks / acquire more PLUS sign top Canadian talent away from other teams when possible = you will have a very strong NI part of the roster and this could often equal MORE than half the battle (roster).

[KCargosfan]

This year's Argo defence is featuring draft picks Laing, Gabriel, Herdman, Woodson and Robbie Smith - all solid D players who have contributed nicely; the Argos could have drafted Kwaku Boateng; they also once drafted Corey Greenwood (and could have re-signed him after he was with the Esks) - he is the best defensive player in the CFL this season (IMO). Nice to see some Canadian talent get a chance to play D in the CFL - the GOB trend the past number of years is to go with mostly imports on D (see Ottawa now with Desjardins, Campbell & Thorpe doing the thinking - yet they won their GC with mostly Canadians playing D-line).

The Als have an outstanding array of Canadian linebacker talent - Muamba, Ackie & Lokombo (with young draft picks and a vet like Plesius in reserve). They also went out and signed an all-star NI free agent D player in Loffler; draft pick from a few years back J-S Blanc could be starting at DE for them IMO, but he is used as a top special teamer more.

Smart CFL GMs & scouts can build a very good roster via the draft AND signing NI FAs or other team cuts or trading for Canadian talent - pay attention to Canadian talent and give them a shot to play - at ALL positions. 7 only thinking and always maximum number of imports on the game roster decisions takes away that chance to have a better team.

Gonzo is right IMO - hang to draft picks / acquire more PLUS sign top Canadian talent away from other teams when possible = you will have a very strong NI part of the roster and this could often equal MORE than half the battle (roster).

Knowing is always half the battle!