2020-2021 offseason transaction thread

[AngeloV]

I say move on and pursue Masoli. Or even Arbuckle.

No guarantee of getting Masoli, and Arbuckle could very well be the next Franklin. I have no issue moving on, but I hope MBT is a decent back up plan being considered. And please sign O'Connor before Feb 9.

[AngeloV]

No guarantee of getting Masoli, and Arbuckle could very well be the next Franklin. I have no issue moving on, but I hope MBT is a decent back up plan being considered. And please sign O'Connor before Feb 9.

As I suspected, Masoli didn't make it to free agency.

https://www.tsn.ca/hamilton-tiger-ca...soli-1.1583616

[paulwoods13]

And please sign O'Connor before Feb 9.

Yes, that is an absolute must. I can live with either Nichols or MBT, but we have to keep the guy we've been developing.

[paulwoods13]

According to Lalji, "Masoli’s new deal is 287k in hard money. 365k with all incentives. Includes a 125k signing bonus."

Ain't no way Nichols and Arbuckle are keeping anywhere close to their previously negotiated salaries.

[AngeloV]

According to Lalji, "Masoli’s new deal is 287k in hard money. 365k with all incentives. Includes a 125k signing bonus."

Ain't no way Nichols and Arbuckle are keeping anywhere close to their previously negotiated salaries.

I agree. Their options will also be very limited. Unless they are prepared to walk away from playing, they would be foolish not to renegotiate their deals.

[OV Argo]

Argos acquire NI O-lineman Cody Speller (undrafted, but ended up starting on the GC Champs O-line last season), in a deal involving swap of late round draft picks.

Lots of competition on the O-line for this TC = good !

[Stevoman]

I agree. Their options will also be very limited. Unless they are prepared to walk away from playing, they would be foolish not to renegotiate their deals.

I heard that Arbuckle already offered to take a 20% cut, which is double what Fajardo and Mitchell did, and yet the Redblacks have said it needs to be more. I haven't heard about Nichols and what reduction he is willing to take.

[paulwoods13]

I heard that Arbuckle already offered to take a 20% cut, which is double what Fajardo and Mitchell did, and yet the Redblacks have said it needs to be more. I haven't heard about Nichols and what reduction he is willing to take.

Arbuckle was supposed to have signed for something close to $500k, so I can see why they'd be pushing for a much bigger reduction than 20%. Based on what Masoli signed for, Arbuckle should be at $300k max (and that's probably more than I'd be willing to spend on someone so unproven).

[paulwoods13]

Argos acquire NI O-lineman Cody Speller (undrafted, but ended up starting on the GC Champs O-line last season), in a deal involving swap of late round draft picks.

Lots of competition on the O-line for this TC = good !

Obviously we need to get him signed, but assuming we do, this looks like a very nice deal for a guy who might be able to start.

[OV Argo]

Obviously we need to get him signed, but assuming we do, this looks like a very nice deal for a guy who might be able to start.

Though Speller pulled- thru as an undrafted injury replacement starter on the Bummers GC team, not like I'd expect him to be a lock to start for the Argos; but real nice to have him for TC competition.

[Skinny G]

Per Farhan Lalji on DT's Sport Cage podcast, looks like the hold up with Nichols re-signing is because the Argos aren't paying any signing bonuses.

They talk about Nichols (and Nick Arbuckle) around the 50 Min mark
https://c1.futuripost.com/ckrm/playl...sc_ref=twitter

[doubleblue]

Argos acquire NI O-lineman Cody Speller (undrafted, but ended up starting on the GC Champs O-line last season), in a deal involving swap of late round draft picks.

Lots of competition on the O-line for this TC = good !

I like the deal. I was looking at the FA lists the other day and Speller was a guy I thought would be a good fit here. I think he has the potential to be a real good center and play for years. I know they have Blake who played center at Baylor but he is 34 or so and maybe is having second thoughts about playing much longer. All the other Canadian linemen are Guard, Tackle types.

[paulwoods13]

Per Farhan Lalji on DT's Sport Cage podcast, looks like the hold up with Nichols re-signing is because the Argos aren't paying any signing bonuses.

They talk about Nichols (and Nick Arbuckle) around the 50 Min mark
https://c1.futuripost.com/ckrm/playl...sc_ref=twitter

Thanks for posting that. Very interesting.

Nichols is gonna have to take a major haircut, or see what he can manage to wheedle out of Ottawa. I presume Murphy and Pinball have a Plan B and a Plan C. MBT would undoubtedly be part of one of those plans, hopefully O'Connor is part of Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, etc.

[paulwoods13]

Though Speller pulled- thru as an undrafted injury replacement starter on the Bummers GC team, not like I'd expect him to be a lock to start for the Argos; but real nice to have him for TC competition.

He's definitely not guaranteed to start, but according to his CFL bio he started eight games at guard and three at centre in 2019, so he has a decent amount of game experience. I think he has an excellent chance of starting at centre, where as doubleblue noted we have only an older guy waiting in the wings to replace the extremely valuable McEwen.

[AngeloV]

Yes, that is an absolute must. I can live with either Nichols or MBT, but we have to keep the guy we've been developing.

I sent out a tweet today to TSN's CFL insiders regarding any news on O'Connor's free agency, and Farhan Lalji replied with this. Not encouraging IMO.

Nothing imminent for Michael. Let’s hope he doesn’t fall through the cracks. @TheTrueQB is ready to be a legit #2 this season IMO

— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) January 28, 2021

[OV Argo]

I sent out a tweet today to TSN's CFL insiders regarding any news on O'Connor's free agency, and Farhan Lalji replied with this. Not encouraging IMO.

Let's hope the new Argo regime - that didn't draft O'Connor - see some value there for TC competition.

Doubt he is going to cost more than CFL QB minimum; also can't see another CFL team having interest.

[paulwoods13]

It would be unbelievably disappointing and short sighted if we let MOC walk after spending a high pick on him and working on his development. Dinwiddie spoke highly about him way back so that would seem to suggest he wants him back. But MOC might have sussed that there is a shortage of good backups around the league so he might have some bargaining leverage.

[OV Argo]

It would be unbelievably disappointing and short sighted if we let MOC walk after spending a high pick on him and working on his development. Dinwiddie spoke highly about him way back so that would seem to suggest he wants him back. But MOC might have sussed that there is a shortage of good backups around the league so he might have some bargaining leverage.

You believe another CFL team would have interest in O'Connor to give him some sort of leverage?

NO other CFL team liked him enough to draft him before the Argos when they all had the opportunity.

Pretty well all other CFL teams already have 5 or 6 QBs on the roster for TC.

And most importantly, CFL GOBs have little to zero use ... oh, never mind. o

[Argo57]

It would be unbelievably disappointing and short sighted if we let MOC walk after spending a high pick on him and working on his development. Dinwiddie spoke highly about him way back so that would seem to suggest he wants him back. But MOC might have sussed that there is a shortage of good backups around the league so he might have some bargaining leverage.

Hopefully they get him signed, would be nice to see the Argonauts develop (and actually keep) a young QB.

[jerrym]

He's definitely not guaranteed to start, but according to his CFL bio he started eight games at guard and three at centre in 2019, so he has a decent amount of game experience. I think he has an excellent chance of starting at centre, where as doubleblue noted we have only an older guy waiting in the wings to replace the extremely valuable McEwen.

I see it as a good deal for the Argos even if he doesn't start. The Bombers traded Canadian OL Cory Speller and their 2021 52nd overall pick to the Argos for the Argos 48th draft pick because he was going to become a free agent on February 9th.
A swap of four draft positions later in the draft for a guy who not only plays guard but was good enough to play centre in the drive for the Cup. Plus it's not impossible the 52nd draft pick can turn out to be as good or better than the 48th we gave up. And even if the 52nd choice is a wash an excellent chance we still win. Just another indication we are seeing a major improvement in management's player selection for the upcoming season over the last couple of seasons.