Rookie Canadian QB O’Connor poised to take first snap in CFL

[paulwoods13]

Evans is under contract for 2 more years. If he continues to play well and get them to the Grey Cup, win or lose, how do you sign Masoli to a big contract and tell Evans to be #2? Makes sense to commit to Evans who they have brought along over the last few years. With his lower salary it would allow them to spend elsewhere and be a contender again next year.

Yes, except do you really want to let Masoli drive down the QEW to your arch-rivals? I'd be looking for a way to keep both assets if I were them. (And of course the jury is still out on whether Evans can lead them to the Grey Cup. As stacked as they are, I could see them losing the EF to Vernon Adams et al.)

[Neely2005]

So when is O'Connor going in?

[Rich]

I also like Collaros, and expect the Argos to sign him, but IMO it's a big stretch to make him the opening-day starter given his many injury woes in recent seasons. Counting on him as "the man" for a full season seems like a risky proposition.

If you really believe that MBT is capable of being a full-time starter, then signing Collaros ought to be a risk-free proposition. He would certainly cost a lot less than Masoli.

[paulwoods13]

If you really believe that MBT is capable of being a full-time starter, then signing Collaros ought to be a risk-free proposition. He would certainly cost a lot less than Masoli.

I agree, and that is actually my preferred scenario -- give MBT decent starter's money (but nowhere close to BML-Reilly money, say $270k plus $90k in incentives for playing time), sign Collaros to decent backup money (say $180k + $90k in incentives that would offset if ZC plays instead of MBT). And upgrade O'Connor's pay (especially in the third year of his contract) as a show of faith for where we expect him to be in 2 years. Could we get MBT for max of $360k? I would hope so, but not ruling out Wpg or Ott outbidding. And TBH I don't think Argos will push hard (if at all) to bring him back next year, even though IMO they absolutely should. What we cannot do is put all our eggs in an uncertain basket (e.g. Masoli). We tried that this year with BLM and in the end he declined a more generous deal from us than he got in Calgary.

[Ron]

Until a better starter is found (and I've yet to hear where one will be found, apart from the possibility of signing Masoli), I would caution against assuming the starter we have will be discarded before next season. MBT obviously has some strikes against him, including lack of support from many (but obviously not all) fans and the fact the team has not won a lot of games with him (or anyone else) at the helm. But better QBs don't exactly grow on trees.

Better QB's can also look bad when their O-Lines are porous. Ask Mike Reilly for most of this season.

[ArgoZ]

^

I was really surprised how the Bo scenario unfolded. I can’t recall any QB turning down more money (league highest at that, according to the Argos) to play elsewhere. Massoli’s situation is different. The team he would be joining is down the road, not across the country. Pinball and (hopefully) O’Shea would offer quite the sales pitch I’d imagine. And once again, I would be shocked if Massoli signs for less money to battle out a starters job in Hamilton, should Evans lead them to a Cup.

[argotom]

That was disgusting so called coaching again today by Chamblin, as O'Connor should have been in for the entire second half.
I would not be surprised if we do not see the kid at all for the remaining games, as he is from the same Trestman school of stubborn coaching and sticking with your so called starter.
For me MBT is done and should not be back next year in any capacity.

[OV Argo]

The Argos had to stick with MacBeth this game - they were in desperate mode to grab a play-off spot after all, and MacBeth had led this awesome offence to amazing 17 points going into the 4th quarter; MacBeth is a great starter and the future leader of this Argo team at QB - so why bother to look at Prukop and some Canadian stiff QB. Chamblin and this Argo brain-trust know best - MacBeth was playing superb throwing accurate strikes all over the field and gave the team the best chance to win. Stop with the questioning of the Argo coaches; bring back Chamblin, Chappy and MacBeth for next season, and start planning the GC parade route - with this genius corporate ownership filling the stands once again with their sharp marketing of Argo football.

O`Connor can be cut and go play beer league touch football somewhere if he wants to continue his QB career; he just does not have the right stuff to deserve a snap in the CFL. Hilarious that some thought some Canadian QB could merit a shot to play for the Argos. Bwahahahahahaha ! ;o)

[Rich]

The problem is that Chamblin has no incentive to play O’Connor. He knows it’s unlikely he’ll be back as HC next year. He doesn’t give a fock about the Argos’ future, he wants to win some games. 5-13 looks a lot better on the resume than 3-15.

This is the first big test for the Pinball Administration. Make Chamblin start O’Connor next game. We invested a high pick on him, and for good reason. Give him a decent chance to show what he can do. If he’s getting killed then put Prukop in to clean up (cuz Prukop is not likely the answer) and consider it important experience that MOC can build on next year.

[paulwoods13]

This is the first big test for the Pinball Administration. Make Chamblin start O’Connor next game. We invested a high pick on him, and for good reason. Give him a decent chance to show what he can do. If he’s getting killed then put Prukop in to clean up (cuz Prukop is not likely the answer) and consider it important experience that MOC can build on next year.

I agree Pinball needs to make sure O'C (and Prukop) gets significant playing time in the next two weeks. Not necessarily the start altho both of them need first-team reps in practice, so starting would make sense.

[Argo57]

The problem is that Chamblin has no incentive to play O’Connor. He knows it’s unlikely he’ll be back as HC next year. He doesn’t give a fock about the Argos’ future, he wants to win some games. 5-13 looks a lot better on the resume than 3-15.

This is the first big test for the Pinball Administration. Make Chamblin start O’Connor next game. We invested a high pick on him, and for good reason. Give him a decent chance to show what he can do. If he’s getting killed then put Prukop in to clean up (cuz Prukop is not likely the answer) and consider it important experience that MOC can build on next year.

Yes, they now have only 2 games for player evaluation/development and better take full advantage of it.
This is big picture organizational strategy, Chamblin’s win/loss record or feelings don’t matter at this point as he shouldn’t be back next year.
The Argos QB situation is completely in flux heading into next season with expiring contracts and free agency so it is imperative that they are clear in what they have with O’Connor in particular who they still have under contract.

[1971GreyCup]

Yes, they now have only 2 games for player evaluation/development and better take full advantage of it.
This is big picture organizational strategy, Chamblin’s win/loss record or feelings don’t matter at this point as he shouldn’t be back next year.
The Argos QB situation is completely in flux heading into next season with expiring contracts and free agency so it is imperative that they are clear in what they have with O’Connor in particular who they still have under contract.

Din’t the Raptors get rid of their HC in 2018 for the crime of not getting them into the NBA Finals?

[doubleblue]

The Argos had to stick with MacBeth this game - they were in desperate mode to grab a play-off spot after all, and MacBeth had led this awesome offence to amazing 17 points going into the 4th quarter; MacBeth is a great starter and the future leader of this Argo team at QB - so why bother to look at Prukop and some Canadian stiff QB. Chamblin and this Argo brain-trust know best - MacBeth was playing superb throwing accurate strikes all over the field and gave the team the best chance to win. Stop with the questioning of the Argo coaches; bring back Chamblin, Chappy and MacBeth for next season, and start planning the GC parade route - with this genius corporate ownership filling the stands once again with their sharp marketing of Argo football.

O`Connor can be cut and go play beer league touch football somewhere if he wants to continue his QB career; he just does not have the right stuff to deserve a snap in the CFL. Hilarious that some thought some Canadian QB could merit a shot to play for the Argos. Bwahahahahahaha ! ;o)

Maybe we shouldn't be so hard on Chappy. The old adage that good players make good coaches. Chappy's offense looked a lot smarter as soon as Prukop went in.

[Foxhound]

Hopefully Michael O'Connor gets another chance to show his stuff against the Tiger-Cats tomorrow. Last week's performance of five for nine with one TD and zero interceptions was better than alright. Hopefully he can end the year with double digit completions and over 150 yards passing!

[ArgoRavi]

Maybe we shouldn't be so hard on Chappy. The old adage that good players make good coaches. Chappy's offense looked a lot smarter as soon as Prukop went in.

The Argos have a 4000 yard passer and are on the verge of having three 1000 yard receivers. Chapdelaine's offence has moved the ball reasonably well.

[gilthethrill]

The Argos have a 4000 yard passer and are on the verge of having three 1000 yard receivers. Chapdelaine's offence has moved the ball reasonably well.

But the team was almost shut out twice and accumulated 3 rushing touchdowns? The stats are odd to say the least.

[Wobbler]

If I was O'Connor I'd be pretty happy to get my first CFL action at home, against the 2019 RedBlacks.

[Shatto]

Was away at an overnight function and couldn't get any info on the game till today. It was very surprising and disappointing to find BTM played the whole game. Even if he did win last night, how does that help going forward to next year? Another reason the coach has to be replaced

[OV Argo]

Was away at an overnight function and couldn't get any info on the game till today. It was very surprising and disappointing to find BTM played the whole game. Even if he did win last night, how does that help going forward to next year? Another reason the coach has to be replaced

No way - Chamblin should be back, with Chappy at OC still and MacBeth at QB; have some faith, stay the course , pull together. Chamblin was just going for the win as he had no clue his $hite team was already eliminated from the post-season; he would have zero idea about evaluating offensive talent anyhow, so why bother trying to evaluate a new QB, especially some Canadian scrub who got foisted onto his roster. ;o)

[doubleblue]

Another Canadian QB Mike Beaudry playing at Connecticut U in his Senior year. But he's more a NFL type at 6'5 250. Originally from Saskatchewan but played his HS ball in Florida I believe. Maybe the GOB's can make him into a Full Back.