How do the Argos prepare for next year?

[jerrym]

The East Finals was a big bummer. But some perspective is needed. The LA Dodgers won exactly zero world championships between 1989 and 2019 despite all their tons of talent and money to buy free agents. The Atlanta Braves won one World Series during 14 consecutive first place finishes, including many when they led the Majors in wins. They have finished first the last six years in a row, including this year when they led the league in wins and runs and tied the record for most home runs in a season, yet won only one World Series in those six years in 2021 and were out of the playoffs this year in a flash. As for the Maple Leafs - you know the story. Winning in the playoffs is never easy despite how much talent you have.

However, the Argos do need to start preparing for next year by looking at where they need to change and where circumstances, especially free agency, forces changes on them.
When it comes to Kelly, I think he has the potential to be the best QB in the CFL, but he is still learning. He has to get over trying to do it all, recognizing when going for broke is not the best strategy. He also has to learn how to not lose confidence in himself, as seen when he started running on nearly every play for a while after he lost confidence in his passing, although time to repeatedly do that was starting to run short. His signing a three year contract is good for the Argos, but his increased salary is likely going to decrease the team's flexibility in signing free agents or retaining players. I also like Dukes and think he could have a bright future, but I would like to have experienced backup, who take some pressure off Kelly and act as a coach to some extent, just as Andrew Harris did for Ouellette. However, not every player, even talented ones, are good at this role, so picking the right guy for the job is important. I would like to see Kelly continue to develop his passing skills in the offseason, something that Rourke, a workaholic, worked on hard in his two CFL offseasons, resulting a QB whose passes were much crisper and his defence recognition was much improved.
With regards to the defence and special teams, including their depth, even in the East Final loss they showed they are arguably the best, finishing just behind the Bombers and Als (a warning that could have got more attention since good defences often are the difference in playoffs) in points allowed and as many of them as possible should be retained. Leake in most games set up the offence with short fields repeatedly. The job here, IMO, will be primarily to fill the vacancies left by any players departing for free agency or the NFL.
The receiving corp could use a high octane speedster to open up the field even more, but overall it is a deep talented corps with the most depth in Canadian talent. A talented RB is needed to replace Andrew Harris, even if Adeboboye continues to develop into a good first string RB. RBs and injuries are synonymous.
Another lesson from this year, comes from the many predictions that the Als would be a disaster this year, because they lost so many players and signed very few in free agency. However, they added valuable pieces repeatedly throughout the season, such as Shawn Lemon and Darnell Sankey, that were there for anyone to sign for a while. They also scouted well for the draft and the American newcomers they did add. So the Argos should not ignore possible additions to an already strong team during the season.

[AngeloV]

They prepare exactly the same way as they did this year. You need to put yourself in position to play and hopefully host the Eastern final. and then hope for the best.

[ArgoRavi]

It's interesting that both Fajardo and Lemon were pursued by the Argos but both chose Montreal instead, likely because they were both going to get much more playing time there.

JC Abbott from 3downnation should be publishing the Argos' free agent list shortly so we can all scrutinize that and see who they should attempt to retain and who they should move on from.

[ArgoGabe22]

The goal is to limit roster turnover.

[OV Argo]

It's interesting that both Fajardo and Lemon were pursued by the Argos but both chose Montreal instead, likely because they were both going to get much more playing time there.

JC Abbott from 3downnation should be publishing the Argos' free agent list shortly so we can all scrutinize that and see who they should attempt to retain and who they should move on from.

CFL teams now lose key FAs every off-season - nature of the beast now.

But this Argo team is so deep and talented and have no need to pursue over-rated and over-priced FAs like the clueless Pussycats did this past season. Argos made smart additions like Orimolade & Pickett, and came up with new D talent like Pierce & Stiggers. Hopefully they draft well again too.

Best D talent in the league; best Canadian talent; and offensive stars like Kelly (has to be burning for redemption next season), Ouellette and hopefully a healthy and back to form K. Gittens, along with a very good O-line.

[TheHammer]

CFL teams now lose key FAs every off-season - nature of the beast now.

But this Argo team is so deep and talented and have no need to pursue over-rated and over-priced FAs like the clueless Pussycats did this past season. Argos made smart additions like Orimolade & Pickett, and came up with new D talent like Pierce & Stiggers. Hopefully they draft well again too.

Best D talent in the league; best Canadian talent; and offensive stars like Kelly (has to be burning for redemption next season), Ouellette and hopefully a healthy and back to form K. Gittens, along with a very good O-line.

What free agents, besides Bo Levi Mitchell, did the Ticats overpay for this year?

[Argo57]

What free agents, besides Bo Levi Mitchell, did the Ticats overpay for this year?

Good question, both Jameer Thurman and James Butler performed very well for Hamilton this season.

[gilthethrill]

Good question, both Jameer Thurman and James Butler performed very well for Hamilton this season.

Would OT Joel Figeroua who was limited by injuries count?

[Argo57]

Would OT Joel Figeroua who was limited by injuries count?

He was a bit of a turnstile when he played this season.

[TheHammer]

Would OT Joel Figeroua who was limited by injuries count?

Hard to say if he was overpayed when we don't know his salary.

And I guess Duke Williams was a bust. I think he was 5th highest paid WR in the league this year or something like that.

You have to come at it from the Ticats perspective though. They were 8-10 last year and had some glaring holes on the team. They were in full-on "Win Grey Cup at home" mode. They needed to fill in those gaps, and quickly. No, it did not work out, but can you blame them? I'm hoping now the Cats can just focus on a 2(ish) year rebuild (doesn't take long in the CFL). Rely on scouting and drafting. Keep impactful guys on the roster like Sayles, White, McAllister, Katstantonis, etc.

The Argos on the other hand, were coming off a Grey Cup win, and needed some more subtle (but impactful) changes. They didn't need to go out and get the big FA signing. They were set, for the most part. The Argos, like last year, probably don't need to do much to their roster, but of course at lot will depend on free agency. Sounds like it's a good culture there, so a lot of players may prefer to stay. You have a great team, I'm jealous!

[gilthethrill]

Hard to say if he was overpayed when we don't know his salary.

And I guess Duke Williams was a bust. I think he was 5th highest paid WR in the league this year or something like that.

You have to come at it from the Ticats perspective though. They were 8-10 last year and had some glaring holes on the team. They were in full-on "Win Grey Cup at home" mode. They needed to fill in those gaps, and quickly. No, it did not work out, but can you blame them? I'm hoping now the Cats can just focus on a 2(ish) year rebuild (doesn't take long in the CFL). Rely on scouting and drafting. Keep impactful guys on the roster like Sayles, White, McAllister, Katstantonis, etc.

The Argos on the other hand, were coming off a Grey Cup win, and needed some more subtle (but impactful) changes. They didn't need to go out and get the big FA signing. They were set, for the most part. The Argos, like last year, probably don't need to do much to their roster, but of course at lot will depend on free agency. Sounds like it's a good culture there, so a lot of players may prefer to stay. You have a great team, I'm jealous!

I thought I read somewhere the Figs was paid $200,000.00 to sign in Hamilton, I could very well be mistaken but I am sure he was paid a high salary. Yes, Duke is another signing that I forgot.
Hosting the GC it appeared like Hamilton decided to retain several aging veterans to help get then there.
Although the Cats may appear to be a mess going into the offseason, this is the CFL….just look at Montreal.

[OV Argo]

What free agents, besides Bo Levi Mitchell, did the Ticats overpay for this year?

Besides Bovine; Duke Williams, Figueroa, Butler (check his this season and now career yds/carry averages and name me any CFL starting RB close to that weak), Casey Sayles (solid player, good season, but read they paid him league top DT buck$, and if true he ain't worth close to that); unless these guys were all signed for average to below average CFL money for their positions - any team could easily find better & cheaper IMO. How did it pan out anyhow ?

[OV Argo]

He was a bit of a turnstile when he played this season.

WHAT ??? - how dare you refer to an O-lineman as such ?

[ArgoRavi]

Besides Bovine; Duke Williams, Figueroa, Butler (check his this season and now career yds/carry averages and name me any CFL starting RB close to that weak), Casey Sayles (solid player, good season, but read they paid him league top DT buck$, and if true he ain't worth close to that); unless these guys were all signed for average to below average CFL money for their positions - any team could easily find better & cheaper IMO. How did it pan out anyhow ?

Sayles was worth every penny the Ticats paid him IMO. Ja'Gared Davis was not though. And you can debate Chris Edwards also who is a superb player but a real head case.

The Ticats have not drafted or recruited well since 2019. They need to fix that for sure. The Argos, on the other hand, have, arguably, been the best in the league since late 2019 in drafting and recruiting.

[Will]

Hopefully we'll have a free agent list out in the next few days so that we can better analyze this thread.