2019-2020 Offseason Signings, Trades, Releases, Extensions and Other Transactions

[Skinny G]

Here's Farhan Lalji's response to Naylor's tweet above. Curious what the CFL's original proposal was, what caused CFLPA to reject, and now what the CFLPA's counter proposal is...

https://twitter.com/FarhanLaljiTSN/s...772498433?s=20

[paulwoods13]

I assume the PA is trying to manoeuvre this into leverage in hopes of getting something else.

Bringing guys like TJ Jones (and any other NATs who start their careers in the NFL) into the CFL is a win-win-win -- teams get better talent, the PA gets high-paid members who drive salaries up for NATs, fans get better entertainment. Any side that prevents this from happening is not acting in the best interests of Canadian football.

I expect this will be resolved in a way that gets Jones into our lineup (and hopefully some other "ex-pats" get up here in future *cough Ryan Hunter cough*).

[Tobin Rote]

If all this nonsense results in the Argos losing the player... I'm gonna be mighty pi$$ed off.

[argolio]

I assume the PA is trying to manoeuvre this into leverage in hopes of getting something else.

Bringing guys like TJ Jones (and any other NATs who start their careers in the NFL) into the CFL is a win-win-win -- teams get better talent, the PA gets high-paid members who drive salaries up for NATs, fans get better entertainment. Any side that prevents this from happening is not acting in the best interests of Canadian football.

I expect this will be resolved in a way that gets Jones into our lineup (and hopefully some other "ex-pats" get up here in future *cough Ryan Hunter cough*).

The o-linemen who run the PA want o-linemen to remain the highest paid NATs. They're not going to give in without protecting their power-base.

[Jon Gonzo]

The is a rule that hurts the game and the fans of the CFL. I will be contacting the CFLPA to let them know of my disappointment. As fans of the game, I recommend the same. We need rules that grow the game, an not just the PA

[Argo57]

Nice to see a solid hard nosed player like Declan Cross staying in Toronto.
Hopefully this new Argo coaching staff gets him more involved in the future.

https://3downnation.com/2020/03/04/d...-through-2023/

[jerrym]

Pinball's comment on Declan says it all: "The only thing bigger than Declan's hair is his heart. ... The only people happier about this signing than I am are our committed and loyal fans". We need more guys like hime, something that wasn't true of everyone on the true last year.

[Bleeds Double Blue]

Declan Cross is one of my all-time favorite Argos. Great to see him locked up for the next couple of years. And yes Argo57, I agree. Give him the damned ball.

[Rich]

Declan Cross is one of my all-time favorite Argos. Great to see him locked up for the next couple of years. And yes Argo57, I agree. Give him the damned ball.

I guess he's now tied with Jamal Campbell and Llevi Noel as the second longest-serving Argonauts, behind Jake Reinhart. Four guys short of a completely new roster in just four years, that's a lotta turnover. Interesting though that two high picks from that same 2016 draft were key acquisitions this winter, Brescasin and Colquhoun, which sorta makes up for Jim Barker's brain fart pick of Brian Jones at #4 that year.

[paulwoods13]

Signing him until 2023 is a real statement. Clearly this org under Pinball plans to establish continuity, particularly with local guys. Well done!

[carlos]

Agree about Cross. DC has also developed into an excellent blocker and will be a key part of the blocking scheme and pass protection. Probably more important than anything he adds on offense, not to downgrade that part of his game.

Reminds me of Jeff Johnson who I probably mentioned to my buddies that the Bombers should get about eight different times over his career. Calvin McCarty, who had a couple of nice plays last year, is a similar player.

GTA boy doesn't hurt. Lots of boxes checked with this signing.

[OV Argo]

Cross is an excellent H-back and should be a vet leader; as far as more involved in the offence - I would not bet on that at all; unless Dinwiddie has his own style offence that values an H-back (for lots of plays and not just as a blocker); the Stumps offence he came from does not use an H-back much at all; and football genius LaPo's GC offence used an H-back next to zero. It is the CFL we're talking here - same old, same old.

[cfl-cis fan]

Cross is an excellent H-back and should be a vet leader; as far as more involved in the offence - I would not bet on that at all; unless Dinwiddie has his own style offence that values an H-back (for lots of plays and not just as a blocker); the Stumps offence he came from does not use an H-back much at all; and football genius LaPo's GC offence used an H-back next to zero. It is the CFL we're talking here - same old, same old.

If we think Dinwidddie will not use a FB then why do we have 3 FB/H-Back on the roster !

[OV Argo]

If we think Dinwidddie will not use a FB then why do we have 3 FB/H-Back on the roster !

How much did Cross & Cibasu play last year ? - how many touches of the football ? - then why were they on the roster ?

[Jon Gonzo]

Lets get him back in the game plan. 7 TD's and almost 700 yards receiving as an Argo is quite productive for an under utilized Canadian Fullback. Good guy, good team mate, good blocker and a great safety valve in any Offence.

[Shatto]

Glad to see Cross signed for a few more years. He plays all-out and is an excellent blocker. When he catches the ball he fights for every yard. Not so impressed with Cibasu, though. During last year's training camp he looked and moved more like a player who should be on the OL. He may block well but either put on more weight and play on the OL or slim down to be a little quicker. If we use a TE occasionally, he could well be useful in that role.

[doubleblue]

Glad to see Cross signed for a few more years. He plays all-out and is an excellent blocker. When he catches the ball he fights for every yard. Not so impressed with Cibasu, though. During last year's training camp he looked and moved more like a player who should be on the OL. He may block well but either put on more weight and play on the OL or slim down to be a little quicker. If we use a TE occasionally, he could well be useful in that role.

Maybe Cibasu can be transformed into a Center. I can remember a couple of ex-fullbacks who be came CFL All Stars at Center. Jamie Taras with BC and Bob Swift with Winnipeg.

[Skinny G]

Farhan Lalji has an Offseason chat with Michael O'Connor

https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/video/catch-a...connor~1915641

[Skinny G]

Not sure if this is right spot but, looks like training camp may be going back to Guelph this year

https://twitter.com/CFL_News/status/...086756352?s=20

[BATKINSON001]

Not sure if this is right spot but, looks like training camp may be going back to Guelph this year

https://twitter.com/CFL_News/status/...086756352?s=20

I am not happy about that, as I like being able to take the ttc to camp to watch the guys on my day off or to attend fan day, can't do that with it in Guelph.