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

[gilthethrill]

David Morassutti says the Argos are looking at signing a core of players around which to build, citing Bear and Worthy as examples. While I would agree that Chris Worthy has improved this year, I do not see him as a core player. Bear is certainly a core player in terms of his ability and leadership skills, but there remain concerns about his availability to play on a regular game-to-game basis because of the wear and tear on his body. I agree with his assessment that Chapdelaine is not the answer at OC.

https://tipofthetower.com/2019/12/06...andler-worthy/

I think Chandler Worthy could become the next Ken Joiner.

[Will]

I think Chandler Worthy could become the next Ken Joiner.

I hope not, considering Joiner suffered a season ending injury and was never seen again.

[Argo57]

I like the Worthy signing, he looks like a good playmaker.

[jerrym]

The Argos have resigned DT Jhaustin Thomas, LS Joe Spaziani. They also signed QB/Wr Joel Blumenthal, who attended the Kansas City Chiefs mini-camp but did not make the team.

Blumenthal (6'1/200) recorded the fastest 40-yard dash at the esteemed pro day with a 4.50. Hundreds of scouts were there to watch Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray sling the ball, but naturally people also noticed Blumenthal who "caught the ball pretty good and ran really good, and he was a well-developed guy, not a little bitty, thin guy" according to Brandt. Blumenthal had an injury-riddled career where he transferred three times and changed position from quarterback to wide receiver. He is an extremely raw talent and likely won't be selected in the NFL Draft but does have a chance to get some looks in training camp.

https://www.rotoworld.com/college-fo...oel-blumenthal

[paulwoods13]

IMO Thomas has tons of potential -- very glad we re-signed him.

[AngeloV]

IMO Thomas has tons of potential -- very glad we re-signed him.

Agreed. I was very impressed with him in limited time last year.

[gilthethrill]

IMO Thomas has tons of potential -- very glad we re-signed him.

A giant of a man....would be nice to have Coleman and Lainge join him in the interior.

[Jon Gonzo]

Those 3 would make a fine rotation. My hopes exactly, but I would like them to pick up an End

[Jon Gonzo]

Those 3 would make a fine rotation. My hopes exactly, but I would like them to pick up an End

....and not Shawn Lemon (again) thanks

[AngeloV]

....and not Shawn Lemon (again) thanks

Agreed. I want them to get a bigger, more explosive end, dare I say, a Victor Butler type (easier said than done, for sure).

[doubleblue]

....and not Shawn Lemon (again) thanks

Shawn Lemon seems to be a very tradeable commodity. We have got two players for him now.

[gilthethrill]

Agreed. I want them to get a bigger, more explosive end, dare I say, a Victor Butler type (easier said than done, for sure).

Kennan Gilchrist appeared to be settling into that role as the season went on.

[AngeloV]

Kennan Gilchrist appeared to be settling into that role as the season went on.

Agreed, but he's more the speed rush end type. They need a bigger guy on the other side to compliment him.

[Jon Gonzo]

Agreed, but he's more the speed rush end type. They need a bigger guy on the other side to compliment him.

I am thinking a Willie Jefferson, Okpalaugo type. Lots of passes blocked, lots of height to plague opposing QB's.

See how many times the Argos were effected by just that this past season.

[jerrym]

American OL Roubbens Joseph has signed an extension with the Argos. The 6ft 4in OL played in three games for the Argos in 2019, after playing for the University of Buffalo and spending time with the Ravens, Dolphins and Redskins.

[jerrym]

The Argos have signed seven players and released two. Two Canadian DBs with CFL experience have been added to the roster: Dondre Wright and Abu Conteh. Five Americans have also been signed: DL Earl Okine, DB Malik Reaves, WR Kwadarrius Smith, DB Ermon Lane and Wr Dres Anderson. Okine also has CFL experience, and had five sacks in eight AAF games, so he looks promising. Smith is a speedster, something the Argos need, who had the best average per catch in the MAC and was ninth in the US in 2017. Overall, they show some promise and add depth to the TC roster.

Released are American DB Anthony Covington who had 37 DTs in 11 games for the Argos in 2019 and Canadian DB Troy Hansen who the Argos signed last month.

Wright, 25, played three games for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2019, making one special teams tackle. The Ajax, Ontario native spent 2017 and 2018 with the Montreal Alouettes, where in 27 games the 5’10, 210-pound DB made 45 defensive tackles, 14 special teams tackles and one forced fumble. Wright was drafted by Montreal in the third round of the 2017 CFL Draft after spending two seasons at Henderson State, a NCAA Division II school in Arkansas.

Conteh, 24, played five games for the Calgary Stampeders in 2019 after playing 14 games for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2017 and 2018. The native of Sierra Leone was drafted by the Bombers with the 23rd overall pick in the 2017 CFL Draft. The 6’1, 202-pound defensive back began his collegiate career at North Dakota State College (2013-2014) before finishing at Grambling State University (2015-2016).

Okine, 29, played six games for Saskatchewan in 2019 after joining the team in July and tallied three defensive tackles. Before coming to the ‘Riders, the Florida native played for the Orlando Apollos of the Alliance of American Football where he recorded 17 tackles, five sacks and one interception in eight games. The 6’7, 290-pound DL also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Brooklyn Bolts (Fall Experimental League), Orlando Predators (Arena Football League), Calgary Stampeders and Houston Texans between 2013 and 2018.

Reaves, 23, most recently spent parts of the 2018 offseason with the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers after being signed by KC in May. The 6’0”, 200-pound DB was a four-year player at Villanova University (2014-2017) where he racked up 178 tackles, four interceptions and two forced fumbles in 43 career games. The Panama City, Florida native earned second-team All-CAA honours after his sophomore and senior seasons.

Smith, 24, spent four seasons at the University of Akron (2015-2018) after transferring from Missouri. The 5’9, 170-pound speedster finished his career with 73 receptions for 1,411 yards and 11 touchdowns in 29 games for the Zips. The Orlando, Florida native had the best average yards per catch (21.4) in the MAC and 9th in the nation as a junior in 2017. Smith was named to the Biletnikoff Award (Nation’s top receiver) preseason watch list for his senior season. A three-year track star while at Akron, Smith ran a 10.29 second 100 meter at the MAC championships garnering second-team All-MAC honours.

Lane, 25, played on both sides of the ball over his four years at Florida State University (2014-2017). Recruited as a WR, Lane caught 19 balls for 307 yards and one touchdown over his first two seasons in Tallahassee. The 6’3, 209-pound athlete switched to DB during his sophomore season and ended up starting five games and finishing with 49 tackles and one interception. Lane started his senior season on defense adding 12 tackles before switching back to receiver halfway through the year and added 169 yards on eight receptions. A four-year player at the University of Utah, Anderson hauled in 134 passes for 2,077 yards and 17 touchdowns in his 43-game college career.

Anderson, 27, last played for the Salt Lake Stallions of the AAF before the league suspended operations in April. Previously the 6’1, 185-pound receiver played two preseason games for the Dallas Cowboys in 2018 catching six passes for 65 yards. The California native got in seven more preseason games between 2016-2017 with the Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers adding 12 receptions for 176 yards and one touchdown. Anderson also spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears practice squads in that time.

https://www.argonauts.ca/2019/12/16/...ive-americans/

[jerrym]

WR Josh (Flash) Gordon, a player on the Argos negotiation list, has been suspended by the NFL for using performance-enhancing drugs and substances of abuse. He had 805 yard in his rookie 2012 season, and led the NFL in receiving with1,646 yards, as well gaining more than 700 yards two other years. Considering his drug problems, he may have burnt through his NFL salary and looks to the CFL in the future. But do the Argos want him?

The Seattle Seahawks claimed Gordon off waivers on November 1 after he was waived by the New England Patriots. Gordon caught six passes for 81 yards in four games playing with Russell Wilson. ...

The Saskatchewan Roughriders removed Gordon’s CFL rights from their neg list in December 2018 after adding the 28-year-old when he was dropped by the Calgary Stampeders. For nearly four Gordon was Stamps’ property. That initial addition by Calgary occurred when Gordon was suspended by the NFL for a positive marijuana test. Faced with the prospect of missing a full year on the football field in 2014, Gordon considered playing the remainder of the CFL schedule, although that would have required obtaining his release from the Cleveland Browns at the time. But the fact that Gordon wanted to play pro football in Canada stands out: he’s aware of the league, respects the high calibre of talent and saw it as a legitimate way to extend his playing career. ...

Marijuana issues have stunted his NFL career much as they did while at Baylor University where Gordon was suspended twice by the NCAA. ...

As a rookie, he produced 805 yards and five touchdowns on 50 catches. In June 2013, the NFL handed down a two-game suspension for a positive marijuana test. Gordon returned to the field for 14 games putting together a remarkable 1,646 receiving yards – leading the NFL – and nine touchdowns on 87 receptions.
After multiple suspensions kept Gordon away from the field, it appeared he was finally past four years of transgressions and ready to return for Cleveland full-time. But various factors played into the Browns trading him to the Patriots in September 2018. ...


Gordon played in 17 games catching 60 passes for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns. New England placed Gordon on injured reserve on October 23 and when healthy released the talented but troubled pass catcher.
He has played 63 career NFL games making 247 receptions for 4,252 yards and 20 touchdowns while averaging 17.2 yards per catch. Through parts of six seasons in the NFL, Gordon has made over $5.3 million. ...

Argos general manager Michael Pinball Clemons and vice president player personnel John Murphy made the move to put Gordon on the double blue’s neg list. Toronto is hoping Gordon might consider playing in the CFL if NFL opportunities subside due to the his fifth suspension in eight years.

https://3downnation.com/2019/12/16/a...ly-by-the-nfl/

[1971GreyCup]

It was nice to see former Argos and RB Dionte Spencer not only make the Denver Broncos, but named an alternate to this years Pro Bowl.

[jerrym]

The Argos have signed two more Americans: DL Ryan Davis and WR Isaac Zico.

Davis, who is 30, spent seven years in the NFL totalling 14 sacks and 44 DTs in 63 games.

Zico was an undrafted attendee at Arizona Cardinals TC where he caught four passes in four games. In his senior year at Purdue he had 743 receiving yards and a 16.2 yards per catch average.

[ArgoZ]

Nice to see the team (Murphy) so active in December, months away from the season. At this rate, there will have to be cuts before camp even opens!