Pinball Named As New GM

[GregR]

Great news! Pinball will bring the team a lot more attention in the local media and brings credibility and great likeability. He will be a great recruiter. He loves the team. I happened to have an Argos t-shirt on by chance, when he dropped in on a friend's business a few months ago and he was so happy to see it. Gave me a big hug.

[Argo57]

Serious error. He should have been made CEO not GM Still leaves us with a part time president.

Manning is now surrounding himself with good people (Michael Clemons) who in turn will do the exact same thing (John Murphy) who together will collaborate and build a good football ops team and coaching staff so in my mind Manning has done his job.

[Rich]

I wonder if Mike O'Shea could work with Pinball as Argo HC in 2020.

Who couldn't work with Pinball? Their shared history makes it an absolute no-brainer.

[argonaut11xx]

Overdrive has GM Clemons in studio around 4:20ish,

TSN 1050

[paulwoods13]

Finally got here after being out all day, amazed (yet not terribly surprised, in truth) to see some fans calling this move a mistake.

When has Pinball ever failed at anything? IMO the GM role is a far better fit for him than the president role. And Murphy is a far better choice as personnel director than Tillman would have been. I think the much-maligned Manning has hit a home run here. I expect Pinball to bid farewell to Chamblin and the assistant coaches in four weeks.

[paulwoods13]

Agreed 100%.
Who cares about the salary cap, the owners can afford the penalties.

I am just about certain the Argos are going to do whatever it takes to get the coaching staff they want for next year, and will tell the CFL and the other clubs to blow it out their ear if someone bleats about the mgmt cap. MLSE is not going to play by any rule that damages its ability to succeed as a business, and being forced to keep Chamblin against their wishes would damage the company's ability to succeed as a business.

[gilthethrill]

I am just about certain the Argos are going to do whatever it takes to get the coaching staff they want for next year, and will tell the CFL and the other clubs to blow it out their ear if someone bleats about the mgmt cap. MLSE is not going to play by any rule that damages its ability to succeed as a business, and being forced to keep Chamblin against their wishes would damage the company's ability to succeed as a business.

Oh I hope you are right! Abolish the cap Randy!

[doubleblue]

I agree with all those who think this is a good hire. Pinball will not be your run of the mill typical GM. He laid it out what he does. Hire good people and let them do what their good at. I remember back when he was the Coach he had Stubler as his DC and GM Adam Rits as the OC. Both in their prime of coaching, but had also a veteran team. Back then the DB's weren't turned over every year or other positions either. How does this current defensive back field stack up against a veteran crew of back then. Cliff Ivory, Adrion Smith, Orlondo Steinauer, Chuck Winters, Wheaton, levingston and Hardy. No comparison IMO. Fletcher, O'Shea and Ebien at LB. Eric England, Jonathan Brown, Noah Cantor. Kevin Kinney and Wayne Weathers on the DL. That was one tough hard hitting defense, and the back bone of the team.
The offense still had Mike Jenkins, Mookie Mitchell, Damon Allen and a real LT in Bernard Williams.
Back then maybe the Canadian talent over all wasn't as good as the current bunch but the Imports on a whole were much stronger then this team. That has to be on Jim Popp. There are some good pieces in place on this team, but too many "B Team" type players as well as the coaches IMO. So I don't think it is any accident they are 2-12. I'm excited to watch and see who Pinball puts in place to turn this team around.

[Argo57]

Finally got here after being out all day, amazed (yet not terribly surprised, in truth) to see some fans calling this move a mistake.

When has Pinball ever failed at anything? IMO the GM role is a far better fit for him than the president role. And Murphy is a far better choice as personnel director than Tillman would have been. I think the much-maligned Manning has hit a home run here. I expect Pinball to bid farewell to Chamblin and the assistant coaches in four weeks.

Finally some optimism that this franchise can turn things around, I’ll be honest I didn’t see this coming but Manning did a great job in getting this done.
Pinball is a bright guy and will surround himself with good people to get the job done, when recruiting both college and CFL free agents I can’t think of a better person to represent the Toronto Argonauts.

[Neely2005]

Overdrive has GM Clemons in studio around 4:20ish,

TSN 1050

Pinball on TSN 1050:

https://www.tsn.ca/radio/toronto-105...ur-1-1.1378392

Around the 42 Minute Mark.

[Neely2005]

Pinball was on the FAN 590 @ 5:30 too. Hopefully they'll post the audio.

[1971GreyCup]

“Pinball” brings expertise, talent and 30 years experience to the job. He’s worked tirelessly for the CFLPA, Athletes in Action and the Argos Alumni.

Most importantly everything he touches is done with class. Note his responses to his thoughts on the players and coaches performances to date.

[Argo57]

Pinball on TSN 1050:

https://www.tsn.ca/radio/toronto-105...ur-1-1.1378392

Around the 42 Minute Mark.

Love his passion and emotion when talking about the Argonauts and their fans👍

[Neely2005]

Love his passion and emotion when talking about the Argonauts and their fans👍

Yeah he got choked to up there.

[Neely2005]

Simmons on Pinball:

https://torontosun.com/sports/footba...ons-does-best/

[Jon Gonzo]

I agree with all those who think this is a good hire. Pinball will not be your run of the mill typical GM. He laid it out what he does. Hire good people and let them do what their good at. I remember back when he was the Coach he had Stubler as his DC and GM Adam Rits as the OC. Both in their prime of coaching, but had also a veteran team. Back then the DB's weren't turned over every year or other positions either. How does this current defensive back field stack up against a veteran crew of back then. Cliff Ivory, Adrion Smith, Orlondo Steinauer, Chuck Winters, Wheaton, levingston and Hardy. No comparison IMO. Fletcher, O'Shea and Ebien at LB. Eric England, Jonathan Brown, Noah Cantor. Kevin Kinney and Wayne Weathers on the DL. That was one tough hard hitting defense, and the back bone of the team.
The offense still had Mike Jenkins, Mookie Mitchell, Damon Allen and a real LT in Bernard Williams.
Back then maybe the Canadian talent over all wasn't as good as the current bunch but the Imports on a whole were much stronger then this team. That has to be on Jim Popp. There are some good pieces in place on this team, but too many "B Team" type players as well as the coaches IMO. So I don't think it is any accident they are 2-12. I'm excited to watch and see who Pinball puts in place to turn this team around.

Decent point. Canadian content is a strength on this team, but they'll have to fish or cut bait on a couple of the development project types. Potential Canadian future starters in 4-5 spots on the field. Lets go out and get a great LT in the off season and draft a raft of good, near ready to start OL. Ottawa seems to be able to do it almost every year. Hamilton too.

[jerrym]

My first reaction was does Pinball have the skill set for this? Then I remembered his performance as a HC. He let others do the X's and O's and motivated the team towards success. No doubt the task will be a challenge considering how far the Argos have degenerated but he is already generating more positive publicity than has occurred during the entire season. If he hires the right support team it could work out.

[argolio]

I had a few reservations when I first heard the newa, but it's Pinball. He's a football lifer, and may know more people in football than anyone in Canada or the U.S. He's smart, driven, passionate, and persuasive. The guy is a walking success story. There's a lot of work ahead. I wish him well.

Excellent Overdrive interview. I didn't know that he had a chance to go back to the NFL in the early 90s but chose to stay here.

[Bleeds Double Blue]

Here is a headline from the Toronto Sun webpage:
Chamblin wants to be head coach of Argonauts and won't accept lesser role in 2020
I have to hand it to him, for a guy that just got smoked 55-8 and sports a 2-12 record he sure has balls. You tell 'em Corey!

[1971GreyCup]

“Pinball” brings expertise, talent and 30 years experience to the job. He’s worked tirelessly for the CFLPA, Athletes in Action and the Argos Alumni.

Most importantly everything he touches is done with class. Note his responses to his thoughts on the players and coaches performances to date.

I’d read that it’s 31 years. #31 is a big number for Argos fans and “Pinball”.