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

[AngeloV]

We should start a poll here : predict where the QBs will end up.

Arbuckle - is he really going to turn down a chance to start in Ottawa ?

Does any CFL team really value either MBT or Nichols as a starter ? I guess if LaPo does he would tell Desjardins to not care that much about Arbuckle and low-ball him and go out and get one of those other 2 ?

Collaros - rather be in Toronna playing for a rookie HC and before 8 or 9 thousand fans instead of a chance to start for the reigning GC Champs ?

I see ZC in Winnipeg, Nichols in Ottawa and Arbuckle in Toronto.

[OV Argo]

I see ZC in Winnipeg, Nichols in Ottawa and Arbuckle in Toronto.

Ill go with Arbuckle in Ottawa. ZC in the Peg, and Nichols as a back-up somewhere - maybe even stays in the Peg. What about MBT? - stays in TO, IMO

NO to Arbuckle with the Argos please

[jerrym]

I see ZC in Winnipeg, Nichols in Ottawa and Arbuckle in Toronto.

Arbuckle, despite going to Ottawa to talk to the team, has indicated that he is no hurry to sign with the Redblacks, so he could end up here. Winnipeg should decide who it wants to prioritize in signing, ZC or Nichols, or it is possible it could lose both in free agency.

[Rich]

Collaros - rather be in Toronna playing for a rookie HC and before 8 or 9 thousand fans instead of a chance to start for the reigning GC Champs ?

That's a short-term view, but if he wants to lay down roots in the GTA surely he will look at a longer view. He'll be working for one of the biggest sports organizations in the world. And if there's one thing about the boys at MLSE, they love a winner. If he can help turn the Argos around with sustained success on the field, and if he plays his cards right, doors will open off the field. He'll be rubbing elbows with the Canadian elite. There are so many more post-football opportunities in Toronto than in Winnipeg, but only if he gets in on the ground floor now, and only if he makes a name for himself by winning. It's a big challenge, but a huge potential payoff to consider.

[Rich]

Apparently Winnipeg has offered Collaros 350,000 base salary plus incentives. Nichols and his agent are upset as they can do the math and haven't been given an offer. I can see Nichols probably thinking he was worth at least 500,000 comparing himself to what Reilly and Bo Levi are making. Negotiations are such fun, to watch from a far.

If we can get Collaros for $375,000 it would be an absolute steal IMO.

[Jon Gonzo]

Arbuckle, Toronto
Prucop, Toronto
Collaros, Winnipeg
Nichols, Ottawa
MBT, Ottawa

[AngeloV]

Ill go with Arbuckle in Ottawa. ZC in the Peg, and Nichols as a back-up somewhere - maybe even stays in the Peg. What about MBT? - stays in TO, IMO

NO to Arbuckle with the Argos please

Not necessarily what I want, but it is what I predict. If we do sign Arbuckle, I will have an open mind.

[carlos]

If I am Ottawa and Arbuckle is not in the picture I go for MBT before Matt Nichols. Would think less money.

[paulwoods13]

Best-case scenario, we end up with Arbuckle or Collaros, plus MBT.

Worst-case scenario, we end up without any of them, and settle for Nichols.

[Jon Gonzo]

Best-case scenario, we end up with Arbuckle or Collaros, plus MBT.

Worst-case scenario, we end up without any of them, and settle for Nichols.

Also my first choice -- with Collaros 1st and Arbuckle 2nd

[carlos]

Best-case scenario, we end up with Arbuckle or Collaros, plus MBT.

Worst-case scenario, we end up without any of them, and settle for Nichols.

Would take the time to call Travis Lulay and ask him if he is sure before going all in on Matt Nichols.

[AngeloV]

Best-case scenario, we end up with Arbuckle or Collaros, plus MBT.

Worst-case scenario, we end up without any of them, and settle for Nichols.

I agree.

[Jon Gonzo]

From Ottawa today;

RELEASED:

• American quarterback William Ardnt (Western Connecticut State)
• American receiver Seth Coate (Saint Fracis - IN)
• American defensive back Maurice Fleming (West Virginia)
• American quarterback Jonathon Jennings (Saginaw Valley State)
• American linebacker Jeff Knox (California - PA)
• American running back Mossis Madu (Oklahoma)
• National long snapper Mike Benson (Acadia)
• National linebacker Nicolas Boulay (Sherbrooke)
• National running back Greg Morris (New Mexico Military)
• National defensive lineman Cameron Walker (Guelph)

["Issues"Mcgee]

Collaros - rather be in Toronna playing for a rookie HC and before 8 or 9 thousand fans instead of a chance to start for the reigning GC Champs ?

Bah! I'd rather the honour of playing for 8 or 9 thousand of the greatest fans over 30,000 nobodies, am I right?

I would be equally happy with Collaros or Arbuckle. Collaros might put some hope into the hearts of Argos fans what with his name and most recent success.

Arbuckle is from California. While I have little care or affection for that place, some of the best QB's have come from there for some reason.

[OV Argo]

From Ottawa today;

RELEASED:

• American quarterback William Ardnt (Western Connecticut State)
• American receiver Seth Coate (Saint Fracis - IN)
• American defensive back Maurice Fleming (West Virginia)
• American quarterback Jonathon Jennings (Saginaw Valley State)
• American linebacker Jeff Knox (California - PA)
• American running back Mossis Madu (Oklahoma)
• National long snapper Mike Benson (Acadia)
• National linebacker Nicolas Boulay (Sherbrooke)
• National running back Greg Morris (New Mexico Military)
• National defensive lineman Cameron Walker (Guelph)

Flushed 2 of last year's QBs; Arndt looked ok or decent at best in some late season playing time; Jennings might have worn out his CFL welcome by now - repeat chances and could not re-gain the good form he once showed in BC.

Madu was an ultra mediocre running back who kept getting repeat chances for reasons beyond me - Gillanders was easily the far better RB, but I guess Madu's passport trumped him for playing time from Campbell & Desjardins types.

LaPo might have very different ideas about CFL talent than Campbell & Desjardins - who IMO were out to lunch on a whole bunch of their roster.

Ex-Argo Walker has bounced around, but might be out of CFL chances now as teams look at younger NIs to fill minimun wage spots - but i guess he could get another CFL look for a team in need of ST bodies. Knox has bounced around too after at first looking like a pretty good LB for the Riders and then took an NFL shot.

[carlos]

Could be Winnipeg is squeezing Matt Nichols to sign low with the "focus on ZC" story and believe Wpg would feel good about another year of Nichols / Streveler if they could do it.

[OV Argo]

Could be Winnipeg is squeezing Matt Nichols to sign low with the "focus on ZC" story and believe Wpg would feel good about another year of Nichols / Streveler if they could do it.

What if Strevler lands an NFL gig though (i think he might) ?

BTW - welcome here Carlos - good to have you.

I wonder if either the Bummers or LaPo in Ottawa might be tempted to draft Nathan Rourke - to have a Strevler type powerful running QB in their mix.

[Argo57]

From Ottawa today;

RELEASED:

• American quarterback William Ardnt (Western Connecticut State)
• American receiver Seth Coate (Saint Fracis - IN)
• American defensive back Maurice Fleming (West Virginia)
• American quarterback Jonathon Jennings (Saginaw Valley State)
• American linebacker Jeff Knox (California - PA)
• American running back Mossis Madu (Oklahoma)
• National long snapper Mike Benson (Acadia)
• National linebacker Nicolas Boulay (Sherbrooke)
• National running back Greg Morris (New Mexico Military)
• National defensive lineman Cameron Walker (Guelph)

Ottawa cleaning house at QB, is an announcement around the corner?

[carlos]

What if Strevler lands an NFL gig though (i think he might) ?

BTW - welcome here Carlos - good to have you.

I wonder if either the Bummers or LaPo in Ottawa might be tempted to draft Nathan Rourke - to have a Strevler type powerful running QB in their mix.

Thanks for the welcome OV. It's an honor for me to post amongst what I consider a very elite group of CFL enthusiasts. I will try to tread lightly.

Chris Streveler stands to get a raise from where he was. I think he is listening to offers.

Compare to Dane Evans at $230,000 maybe he takes $250,000 to stay in Winnipeg in a good situation. Matt Nichols at $350,000 is a more likeable fit than at $500,000. If the NFL comes calling for Steveler, Winnipeg has to be prepared for an injury to Nichols or Collaros for that matter. big gulp right there.

The ball is in Kyle Walters hands as he could sign any of the three right now and get things rolling. I don't think letting them all go to FA is a good idea. Collaros price is currently rising and Nichols is going down.

For the Argos MBT and Arbuckle / Collaros with O'Conner / Prukop is a boat load and think MBT will likely have to get paid somewhere else without a lot of options if they sign either Arbuckle or Collaros. Tough situation to be in when the GM has committed to another guy for a players entire career.

Maybe Pinball has a plan.

To comment on the coaching staff I would have to say I am surprised they went with who they did after going so young with Dinwiddie. Mark Nelson is the only experienced coach. Hope it works out though.

[jerrym]

The Argos have added two more Americans to the roster: DL Whitney Richardson and DB Kadeem Satchell. They also announced that LS Joe Spaziani has retired.

Richardson, 27, spent 2017 and 2018 on and off the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad after being signed by the NFL team in August of 2017 as an undrafted free agent. The 6’5, 250-pound defensive lineman was named 2016 NCAA Division II Defensive Player of the Year after posting 17.5 sacks and 32.5 tackles for loss in only 10 games at Lane College in Tennessee. The Florida native made stops at Mesa Community College and Arizona Christian University before playing at Lane College.

Satchell, 6’2 and 210-pounds, spent time with the Edmonton Eskimos and Memphis Express of the AAF in 2019 during the team’s training camps. The defensive back played for the Indoor Football League’s Cedar Rapids Titans in 2016, recording 54 tackles, one interception and two forced fumbles in 15 games. The Texas native attended Emporia State where he finished his career with 141 tackles, five interceptions, three fumbles recoveries and two defensive touchdowns in 42 games.

The team also announced that long snapper Joe Spaziani has retired from the CFL to pursue a graduate assistant coaching position at his alma mater, the University of Virginia. Spaziani was a sixth-round draft choice of the Argos in 2019 and played in seven games last season.

https://www.argonauts.ca/2020/01/20/...efensive-side/