Argos FA List - Who do you bring back?

[paulwoods13]

Here is the list posted by 3DN:

Running back and fullback
Javon Leake (A)
Andrew Harris (N)
A.J. Ouellette (A)

Receiver
Dejon Brissett (N)
Damonte Coxie (A)
Tommy Nield (N)
Richard Sindani (N)
Cameron Phillips (A)

Offensive line
Darius Ciraco (N)
Dylan Giffen (N)
Shane Richards (N)
Trevon Tate (A)
Dariusz Bladek (N)

Defensive line
Brandon Barlow (A)
Thomas Costigan (A)
Dewayne Hendrix (A)
Shawn Oakman (A)

Linebacker
Jack Cassar (N)
Trevor Hoyte (N)
Jonathan Jones (A)
Wynton McManis (A)
Adarius Pickett (A)
Robert Priester (A)
Henoc Muamba (N)

Defensive back
Jamie Harry (N)
Maurice Carnell (A)
Robertson Daniel (A)
Jamal Peters (A)

Specialists
Boris Bede (A)

Practice Roster FAs
Spencer Nichols (N)
Carlton Agudosi
Jeremiah Haydel (A)
Aaron Parker (A)
B.J. Byrd (A)
Brayden Noll
Aron Johnson (A)
Tyler Williams (A)
Emmanuel Falola (G)
Eric Sutton (N)
Benjie Franklin (A),
Alfredo Gachuz Lozada (G)

[ArgoRavi]

Here is the list posted by 3DN:

Running back and fullback
Javon Leake (A)
Andrew Harris (N)
A.J. Ouellette (A)

Receiver
Dejon Brissett (N)
Damonte Coxie (A)
Tommy Nield (N)
Richard Sindani (N)
Cameron Phillips (A)

Offensive line
Darius Ciraco (N)
Dylan Giffen (N)
Shane Richards (N)
Trevon Tate (A)
Dariusz Bladek (N)

Defensive line
Brandon Barlow (A)
Thomas Costigan (A)
Dewayne Hendrix (A)
Shawn Oakman (A)

Linebacker
Jack Cassar (N)
Trevor Hoyte (N)
Jonathan Jones (A)
Wynton McManis (A)
Adarius Pickett (A)
Robert Priester (A)
Henoc Muamba (N)

Defensive back
Jamie Harry (N)
Maurice Carnell (A)
Robertson Daniel (A)
Jamal Peters (A)

Specialists
Boris Bede (A)

Practice Roster FAs
Spencer Nichols (N)
Carlton Agudosi
Jeremiah Haydel (A)
Aaron Parker (A)
B.J. Byrd (A)
Brayden Noll
Aron Johnson (A)
Tyler Williams (A)
Emmanuel Falola (G)
Eric Sutton (N)
Benjie Franklin (A),
Alfredo Gachuz Lozada (G)

My priorities are:

Leake
Ouellette

Brissett
Coxie
Nield
Phillips

Ciraco
Giffen

Hendrix
Barlow
Oakman

Pickett
McManis
Cassar
Hoyte
Jones

Peters
Daniel
Franklin

Bede

I believe that some others like Priester, Carnell, Byrd and Tate can be re-signed for not a lot of money but they are not priorities for me - more like "nice to have" types.

[paulwoods13]

Many of the players on the list will feel entitled to, and deserve, a salary increase. IMO we will definitely be unable to sign all of the starters/rotation guys who are about to become FAs. And some tough decisions will be needed on guys who play important but somewhat limited roles, such as Leake, Cassar, Hoyte and Jones.

IMO Bladek, Muamba, Richards and Tate almost certainly will not be offered new contracts.

[Skilz]

Must Have: AJ Ouellette, Darius Ciraco, Brandon Barlow, Boris Bede, Jamal Peters, Adarius Pickett

Nice to Have: Javon Leake, Dewayne Hendrix, Robertson Daniel, Wynton McManis, Damonte Coxie, Tommy Nield

Sure; Depending on Price: Dylan Giffen, Jonathan Jones, Jack Cassar, Shawn Oakman, Cameron Phillips, Dejon Brissett

[Shatto]

I find all the comments made by others to be well thought out and difficult to disagree with. The one player that is causing me to think twice is Robertson Daniel. He is a very talented DB, which was confirmed by his selection to the All-CFL secondary. However, he will turn 33 during next season and has a history of injuries. Along with that, there is a rather large number of DBs that will be fighting for a place on the active roster. Peter, Pierce, Metchie, McFadden and Stiggers were starters at end of season but there are also Amos, Priester, Carnell, Franklin and Harry that should be available. Even if Stiggers goes to the NFL it is still impressive group of DBs. As much as I like him, I'm not sure I would spend the money on Daniel.

[ArgoRavi]

I find all the comments made by others to be well thought out and difficult to disagree with. The one player that is causing me to think twice is Robertson Daniel. He is a very talented DB, which was confirmed by his selection to the All-CFL secondary. However, he will turn 33 during next season and has a history of injuries. Along with that, there is a rather large number of DBs that will be fighting for a place on the active roster. Peter, Pierce, Metchie, McFadden and Stiggers were starters at end of season but there are also Amos, Priester, Carnell, Franklin and Harry that should be available. Even if Stiggers goes to the NFL it is still impressive group of DBs. As much as I like him, I'm not sure I would spend the money on Daniel.

That's a fair point about Daniel and a tough decision may need to be made about him.

Other than Stiggers potentially, do we see anyone heading to the NFL? I don't see a large number of players doing so and I wouldn't be surprised if Stiggers is the only one and that's not even a sure thing.

[kellynjk]

I would think that Wynton McManis, Damonte Coxie and Tommy Nield should all be the "Must Have" list, particularly Coxie.

[Argo57]

My list:

RB
AJ Ouellette
Javon Leake

Receiver
Dejon Brissett
Damonte Coxie
Tommy Nield

O-Line
Darius Ciraco
Dylan Giffen

D-Line
Shawn Oakman
Dewayne Hendrix
Brandon Barlow

Linebacker
Either Jack Cassar or Trevor Hoyte
Jonathan Jones
Wynton McManis
Adarius Pickett

DB
Jamal Peters

Special Teams
Boris Bede

Practice Roster
BJ Byrd
Benjie Franklin

I’m wondering if the Argonauts may also look at moving on from Kurleigh Gittens Jr and his salary of $215,000 in order to retain some other players?

[SkalbaniasGhost]

My list:

RB
AJ Ouellette
Javon Leake

Receiver
Dejon Brissett
Damonte Coxie
Tommy Nield

O-Line
Darius Ciraco
Dylan Giffen

D-Line
Shawn Oakman
Dewayne Hendrix
Brandon Barlow

Linebacker
Either Jack Cassar or Trevor Hoyte
Jonathan Jones
Wynton McManis
Adarius Pickett

DB
Jamal Peters

Special Teams
Boris Bede

Practice Roster
BJ Byrd
Benjie Franklin

I’m wondering if the Argonauts may also look at moving on from Kurleigh Gittens Jr and his salary of $215,000 in order to retain some other players?

You have to keep Gittens Jr and Brissett. Nield's concussion history has me concerned about his future with this team. Jared Wayne just got cut by the Texans. He could be available for 2024.

[OV Argo]

You have to keep Gittens Jr and Brissett. Nield's concussion history has me concerned about his future with this team. Jared Wayne just got cut by the Texans. He could be available for 2024.

Wasn't aware of Nield's concussion problems?

Jared Wayne would be a real interesting get; as would DE Luiji Vilain (went from the Vikings to the Panthers this season).

Gittens, Brissett, Nield , Ungerer, maybe Sindani, (with maybe Wayne) = the nucleus of a very good Canadian air-force.

[AngeloV]

I’m wondering if the Argonauts may also look at moving on from Kurleigh Gittens Jr and his salary of $215,000 in order to retain some other players?

Unless Gittens agrees to a lower paying contract restructure, he's as good as gone. Same with Devaris Daniels. They are both really big tickets. My hope is that they both restructure. I wonder if they have any 2023 money left to compensate them with bonus money in restructured deals.

[OV Argo]

Unless Gittens agrees to a lower paying contract restructure, he's as good as gone. Same with Devaris Daniels. They are both really big tickets. My hope is that they both restructure. I wonder if they have any 2023 money left to compensate them with bonus money in restructured deals.

No more Harris, Muamba, Bladek or maybe R. Danie or Ciraco on the roster frees up some ca$h ?

[Rich]

I wouldn’t mind if we lost some great players. It sounds nuts but this roster was maybe TOO good this year. Clinching in week 12 had a negative impact on our playoff performance, there can be no doubt.

You don’t need to be good enough to win 16 games in the CFL. I mean, as an Argofan it was thrilling and unforgettable to watch, and I will treasure the memories forever. But give us a team that’s “only” good enough to win 12 games and we’re probably better off.

[AngeloV]

I wouldn’t mind if we lost some great players. It sounds nuts but this roster was maybe TOO good this year. Clinching in week 12 had a negative impact on our playoff performance, there can be no doubt.

You don’t need to be good enough to win 16 games in the CFL. I mean, as an Argofan it was thrilling and unforgettable to watch, and I will treasure the memories forever. But give us a team that’s “only” good enough to win 12 games and we’re probably better off.

That is a far different outlook than you had all year.

[Rich]

That is a far different outlook than you had all year.

I didn’t realize how winning so many games could have such a negative impact on our playoff performance. I’m still thrilled to have seen the Argos win 16 games. It’s a once in a lifetime thing. But I now realize how it can take a team’s edge away in the playoffs.

[AngeloV]

No more Harris, Muamba, Bladek or maybe R. Danie or Ciraco on the roster frees up some ca$h ?

Muamba and Bladek counted ZERO against the cap this year, and Harris' 6 game stint meant only 2/3 of his contract counted against the cap this season, so in reality, not much savings there. I would hope Ciraco returns. Call me crazy, but I would rather keep both Cassar and Hoyte over Jordan Williams. Williams has great speed and is versatile, but he makes a lot of cash, and truthfully, I thought the Argos were better on D when Jones played over him.

[Argo57]

Muamba and Bladek counted ZERO against the cap this year, and Harris' 6 game stint meant only 2/3 of his contract counted against the cap this season, so in reality, not much savings there. I would hope Ciraco returns. Call me crazy, but I would rather keep both Cassar and Hoyte over Jordan Williams. Williams has great speed and is versatile, but he makes a lot of cash, and truthfully, I thought the Argos were better on D when Jones played over him.

I’m a big Jonathan Jones fan and agree the Argos D was better with him playing, Williams was rather mediocre this season IMO.

[paulwoods13]

Muamba and Bladek counted ZERO against the cap this year, and Harris' 6 game stint meant only 2/3 of his contract counted against the cap this season, so in reality, not much savings there. I would hope Ciraco returns. Call me crazy, but I would rather keep both Cassar and Hoyte over Jordan Williams. Williams has great speed and is versatile, but he makes a lot of cash, and truthfully, I thought the Argos were better on D when Jones played over him.

Assessing Williams is tricky. He did not stand out to my untrained eyes, but IMO it's hard to argue that the defence was better or worse with either guy because it was basically great for the entire season. I wish we had a better read on what Hoyte or Cassar could bring to a regular role on D; Hoyte looked very promising in 2021, and I thought Cassar looked a bit slow when he played in 2022, but again I'm not the best judge. Cassar saw only snippets of action on D this year, and Hoyte virtually no snaps.

One thing this year showed is that Argos were willing to spend quite a bit above the cap by stashing money on the injured list. It won't always be practical to do so, but it's good to know MLSE was fine with establishing an Argo version of Robidas Island, if necessary. Figuring out how much they can pay in free agency is a real challenge (for every team) because of the knowledge that some guys will get injured, but there's no real way to know how much can be saved by six-gaming people. Some of it is pure luck. Magri and Russell have their work cut out for sure.

[Argo57]

No more Harris, Muamba, Bladek or maybe R. Danie or Ciraco on the roster frees up some ca$h ?

Argos would be well advised to sign Ciraco, he played very well this season.
The Chad’s contract extension also kicks in this season which will chew up more cash.

[gilthethrill]

Argos would be well advised to sign Ciraco, he played very well this season.
The Chad’s contract extension also kicks in this season which will chew up more cash.

I would like Ciraco back too, but if he leaves Nicastro can go back to C and perhaps Giffen taking his G spot.