Nick Arbuckle signs with Argos

[Skinny G]

Per Matthew Scianitti Arbuckle is finalizing his deal with the Argos

https://twitter.com/TSNScianitti/sta...052523526?s=20

[Wobbler]

At least there is a lot more tape on Arbuckle than we had on James Franklin. Fingers crossed.

[Stevoman]

Come on Arbuckle! Nothing against Nichols but I prefer the upside with Arbuckle. Having MBT on board again as a #2 or #1 if Arbuckle falters with O'Conner to be the eventual #2/or starter in a few seasons would be my ideal scenario.

[Shatto]

I have to admit, I'm somewhat nervous about banking on Arbuckle being our starting QB, in light of his small sample of work as a 1st string QB. Hopefully, MBT can be signed and they can compete for the starting job. Unfortunately, that pushes O'Connor down to the #3 role and he is not likely be dressed for many games. As much as I'd love to see a Canadian QB on the field, it might be too much of a gamble going with just Arbuckle and O'Connor.

On the whole, the team appears to have been improved by the recent moves. Assuming Rogers signs, the lineup of Brescacin, Rogers, Daniels, Bryant and Worthy looks pretty impressive. The only player who might be replaced by a newcomer is Worthy and if that does happen the new player will have to be fairly impressive.

[ArgoGabe22]

Frank Z reports MBT wants to rejoin the Argos. But sometimes with Frank, I think he’s just thinking out loud without any concrete sources/info

[OV Argo]

Arbuckle with MBT & O'Connor sounds pretty good for TC; who will be the 4th or 5th QBs for TC competition though (could find a gem there) ?

Stumps 3rd string, back-up QB Montell Cozart is still un-signed - maybe Dinwiddie likes him too ? Hec & Vanier winning QBs Chris Merchant (has signed to play in a European league) and Adam Sinagra ( non drafted but rumoured to have been targeted by the Als as a TC non-counter, but very doubtful there IMO) are out there to be brought in if the Argo staff have ever heard of them ?

Problem i could see is if Dinwiddie is sold on Arbuckle as his guy and sticks with him even thru struggles, poor play and losses; surely they would turn to MBT (and be open to him winning the job in TC as well); O'Connor remains a long-shot for any playing time, but you never know i guess.

[Skinny G]

Frank Z reports MBT wants to rejoin the Argos. But sometimes with Frank, I think he’s just thinking out loud without any concrete sources/info

Here's the link to Frank Z's article

https://torontosun.com/sports/footba...woodie-reunion

[Skinny G]

Based on Scianitti's update last night, looks like the Argos will end up having to pay Arbuckle some sort of bonus, but no mention on how big that bonus will be.

https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/video/nichols...buckle~2130140

[Skinny G]

Deal done with Arbuckle. As per Scianitti Arbuckle received a 150k signing bonus


https://www.tsn.ca/toronto-argonauts...ckle-1.1585829

https://www.argonauts.ca/2021/02/01/argos-sign-qb-nick-arbuckle/

[Will]

Changed the title of this thread simply to reflect the fact that the deal is done.

[Argonut1996]

This is great news, he is young with hugh potential. Another great QB out of the Calgary system.

[AngeloV]

Deal done with Arbuckle. As per Scianitti Arbuckle received a 150k signing bonus


https://www.tsn.ca/toronto-argonauts...ckle-1.1585829

https://www.argonauts.ca/2021/02/01/argos-sign-qb-nick-arbuckle/

So much for the word that the Argos were going to pay NOBODY a signing bonus. I'm glad it's done though. He is relatively mobile so that's a plus. Hopefully O'Connor and MBT get signed. I highly doubt there will be any pre-season games, so this year more than any other, the projected starters will likely start the season as starters. It'll be hard for a newcomer to win a job unless of course salary cap considerations play a major part.

[argolio]

Due to his athleticism, Arbuckle has a higher ceiling than Nichols, but he's not there yet. We definitely need an experienced backup (MBT makes the most sense) to compete with O'Connor, who hopefully will be signed soon.

[paulwoods13]

Interesting to note that Arbuckle's career rushing numbers are far worse than MBT's:

MBT 48/276/5.8
Arbuckle 62/149/2.4

Passing-wise, Arbuckle comes out ahead, albeit on a much smaller sample size (263 attempts vs. 798)

Average gain per pass: NA 8.5, MBT 7.8
Completion percentage: NA 72.6, MBT 67.0
TD/100 passes: NA 4.6, MBT 4.4
Int/100 passes: NA 1.9, MBT 2.9

It's impossible to quantify the impact of being in Dickenson's system, with Calgary's talent, vs. being in Trestman's/Chapdelaine's system, with Toronto's talent.

To my eyes (and I'm probably one of very few who sees it this way), Arbuckle has not earned anointment over MBT as a starter. But given the reported size of his signing bonus, I can't foresee a scenario in which NA is not handed the starting job. And I'm not expecting MBT to be re-signed.

[AngeloV]

Interesting to note that Arbuckle's career rushing numbers are far worse than MBT's:

MBT 48/276/5.8
Arbuckle 62/149/2.4

Stats as you know can be skewed. The rushing average of Arbuckle takes a beating because he ran all the QB sneaks for Calgary. MBT was taken out for Franklin/Prukop on QB sneaks.

[Tobin Rote]

So much for the word that the Argos were going to pay NOBODY a signing bonus. I'm glad it's done though. He is relatively mobile so that's a plus. Hopefully O'Connor and MBT get signed. I highly doubt there will be any pre-season games, so this year more than any other, the projected starters will likely start the season as starters. It'll be hard for a newcomer to win a job unless of course salary cap considerations play a major part.

I'm reading conflicting stories regarding Michael O'Connor's status with the Argos. Is he under contract for the 2021 season or not? Frank Z's column in the Toronto Sun indicated that he is signed.

[AngeloV]

I'm reading conflicting stories regarding Michael O'Connor's status with the Argos. Is he under contract for the 2021 season or not? Frank Z's column in the Toronto Sun indicated that he is signed.

You answered your own question when you said FrankZ.

If he is signed, the Argos have not announced it, thus he is on the pending free agent list.

[paulwoods13]

Stats as you know can be skewed. The rushing average of Arbuckle takes a beating because he ran all the QB sneaks for Calgary. MBT was taken out for Franklin/Prukop on QB sneaks.

Sure, but MBT actually picked up positive yards when he carried the ball, a point his detractors are unlikely to concede. He's not just a statue in the pocket.

Yes, Arbuckle ran a lot of short-yardage sneaks, but in the seven games he started in 2019 (when he presumably would have had the most opportunities to move the pocket and scramble), he managed 18 carries for 58 yards, an average of 3.2.

[Shatto]

In no way to denigrate Arbuckle but MBT's experience, grit and determination and most importantly the leadership skills he has demonstrated under difficult conditions, should allow MBT to at least have a decent shot at the starting job (if he signs).. Arbuckle may be the better QB in the long run but MBT may be the better QB choice to start the season.

[AngeloV]

Sure, but MBT actually picked up positive yards when he carried the ball, a point his detractors are unlikely to concede. He's not just a statue in the pocket.

Yes, Arbuckle ran a lot of short-yardage sneaks, but in the seven games he started in 2019 (when he presumably would have had the most opportunities to move the pocket and scramble), he managed 18 carries for 58 yards, an average of 3.2.

But he also continued to run the sneaks in those games. if 8 of those carries were sneaks, you're looking at 10 for 50 on the rest of his carries. MBT ran less than 5 sneaks the entire year. But remember, I am in the pro MBT group. I love his toughness, and he improved with each start.