2023-24 off-season transactions

[Will]

I believe he’ll be back and him being still involved with the TO wrestling circuit is somewhat positive news.

I like to look at it that way as well.

[Rich]

Usually this time of year I’m all fretting and worried about who we’ll lose in FA, and who we’ll pick up.

But not this year. This year I’m as serene as a Buddhist monk.

Because I know that as long as #12 is lining up at QB, this team will be a Cup contender, and that’s all I need to know. Ohmmmmmm!

[bluto]

Usually this time of year I’m all fretting and worried about who we’ll lose in FA, and who we’ll pick up.

But not this year. This year I’m as serene as a Buddhist monk.

Because I know that as long as #12 is lining up at QB, this team will be a Cup contender, and that’s all I need to know. Ohmmmmmm!

Same. I'm not accustomed to being this, well, zen about the state of the club in the off-season. Particularly after a season that ended in a pretty bad flop.

There's a sense of a well thought out plan behind each re-structured contract, player re-signing or trade.

You feel like there's a few more to announce in the lead up to the FA deadline and perhaps afterward as well.

[Rich]

The only thing that worries me about 2024 is what happens if Chad gets hurt. We need a definite upgrade at QB#2 and QB#3, and it’l be interesting to see where the braintrust goes with this.

Dukes showed he could be an adequate fill-in, but I think you want a little more upside in your #2. We have some great prospects on our neg list, but none of them seem likely to sign up here this spring.

So do we maybe look to QBs on other CFL rosters? Ottawa currently have 7 QBs on their roster, how many do they need? My first choice would be to try and pry Crum away, he’d be a great #2. How about a Masoli swansong mentoring Kelly? I’d even consider giving Tyrie Adams a look. Is anybody content going into 2024 with Dukes at #2?

[AngeloV]

The only thing that worries me about 2024 is what happens if Chad gets hurt. We need a definite upgrade at QB#2 and QB#3, and it’l be interesting to see where the braintrust goes with this.

Dukes showed he could be an adequate fill-in, but I think you want a little more upside in your #2. We have some great prospects on our neg list, but none of them seem likely to sign up here this spring.

So do we maybe look to QBs on other CFL rosters? Ottawa currently have 7 QBs on their roster, how many do they need? My first choice would be to try and pry Crum away, he’d be a great #2. How about a Masoli swansong mentoring Kelly? I’d even consider giving Tyrie Adams a look. Is anybody content going into 2024 with Dukes at #2?

Dukes earned the right to be #2 based on his performance last season. The only move i would consider is signing Prukop to be #3, because he is as good as it gets at short yardage, which is an area we can improve on. Masoli won't be available until maybe Labour day, so he shouldn't even be a consideration, not to mention, he still makes money to high for a back up when you have a high priced starter.

[paulwoods13]

Dukes earned the right to be #2 based on his performance last season. The only move i would consider is signing Prukop to be #3, because he is as good as it gets at short yardage, which is an area we can improve on. Masoli won't be available until maybe Labour day, so he shouldn't even be a consideration, not to mention, he still makes money to high for a back up when you have a high priced starter.

I agree with all of this, including the Prukop idea, although I am still curious to see Bryan Scott in action. I thought he might have a higher upside than Dukes, but clearly Dukes had a better showing last year in camp and throughout the season. Scott might still yet into his own. To answer Rich's question, though, I for one am content going into the season with Dukes as the No. 2.

[Will]

I am fine with Dukes as the #2 -- the team has other areas of need where they will need to allocate their lesser than last year cap space.

[Shatto]

I am fine with Dukes as the #2 -- the team has other areas of need where they will need to allocate their lesser than last year cap space.

I agree. You make a very good point.

[bluto]

https://www.argonauts.ca/2024/02/01/...an-harelimana/

TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts Football Club announced today the extension of Canadian LB Brian Harelimana.
Harelimana, 28, joined Toronto in October 2023 and played in the Eastern Final vs. Montreal. The 6’2, 228lb linebacker played 12 games in Saskatchewan before joining the Argos after starting the 2023 season with Montreal, where he played one game for the Alouettes. Harelimana would tally four defensive tackles and four special teams tackles in those 13 games. The University of Montreal alum was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 CFL Draft by Montreal and over the course of 26 CFL games, the Rwanda-born Harelimana has recorded 18 defensive tackles, 13 special teams tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble.

[OV Argo]

https://www.argonauts.ca/2024/02/01/...an-harelimana/

Harelimana, along with Jamie Harry and Richie Sindani, are 3 vet Canadian players the Argos added last season as cast-offs from other teams - that was a smart move IMO and all 3 can play, and be solid depth guys or PR contributors at the least.

[primetime31]

Harelimana, along with Jamie Harry and Richie Sindani, are 3 vet Canadian players the Argos added last season as cast-offs from other teams - that was a smart move IMO and all 3 can play, and be solid depth guys or PR contributors at the least.

I wonder if Harelimana's return will mean that the Argos won't be able to resign either Cassar and/or Hoyte. It should be an intriguing next three weeks or so.

[paulwoods13]

I wonder if Harelimana's return will mean that the Argos won't be able to resign either Cassar and/or Hoyte. It should be an intriguing next three weeks or so.

Both guys will be looking for decent raises after ending their rookie deals, and I imagine both would like a shot at starting on defence. They are excellent special teamers but it remains to be seen if either can play defence full-time. After three years, one would tend to think they have hit their ceiling, but we'll have to wait and see. If either guy does not see an increased role on defence wherever they end up, it will seem evident they're (great) special teamers and that's about it. No shame in being a great player in what is often described as one-third of the Cdn game, but there's not as much money in it, unfortunately. My bet is Ott will go after one or both.

[ArgoRavi]

The only thing that worries me about 2024 is what happens if Chad gets hurt. We need a definite upgrade at QB#2 and QB#3, and it’l be interesting to see where the braintrust goes with this.

Dukes showed he could be an adequate fill-in, but I think you want a little more upside in your #2. We have some great prospects on our neg list, but none of them seem likely to sign up here this spring.

So do we maybe look to QBs on other CFL rosters? Ottawa currently have 7 QBs on their roster, how many do they need? My first choice would be to try and pry Crum away, he’d be a great #2. How about a Masoli swansong mentoring Kelly? I’d even consider giving Tyrie Adams a look. Is anybody content going into 2024 with Dukes at #2?

I am quite content with Dukes being #2 in 2024. He started and won a game last year, almost won another one with many starters missing in Winnipeg, and came off the bench to lead the team to a come-from-behind win in Regina against a desperate Riders team. He now has a full year under his belt too. At a minimum, he seems like a solid backup to me.

[gilthethrill]

I wonder if Harelimana's return will mean that the Argos won't be able to resign either Cassar and/or Hoyte. It should be an intriguing next three weeks or so.

Harelimana is on his 3rd team and has never really been more than a ST guy. I think he will be fortunate to land a PR spot.

[Will]

If the Argos do, indeed, lose Hoyte or Cassar (or both) then they may have no choice but to give Harelimana some sort of ST role.

[paulwoods13]

If the Argos do, indeed, lose Hoyte or Cassar (or both) then they may have no choice but to give Harelimana some sort of ST role.

Signing him is a hedge against losing them. Kwamou and Calver (who is still listed as a LB but saw some PT at FB last season) are under contract as well, and presumably Onyemenam and Murphy will be in camp. There is always a need for young NAT LBs to play specials. Hoyte and Cassar both seemed like they had potential to surpass the ST role, and it would be a shame to lose one or both. But that's what happens when you develop as many young NATs as Argos have the past three years -- can't keep 'em all when the time comes for salary increases.

The draft record has been really something:

2020 Brissett, Cassar, Acheampong and Giffen
2021 Nicastro, Nield, Hoyte and Hagerty (plus Doxtater and Vilain)
2022 MacKellar, Knight, Adeboboye, Noll, Kwamou, Sutton -- these guys all hit the end of their rookie contracts after this season

[OV Argo]

Signing him is a hedge against losing them. Kwamou and Calver (who is still listed as a LB but saw some PT at FB last season) are under contract as well, and presumably Onyemenam and Murphy will be in camp. There is always a need for young NAT LBs to play specials. Hoyte and Cassar both seemed like they had potential to surpass the ST role, and it would be a shame to lose one or both. But that's what happens when you develop as many young NATs as Argos have the past three years -- can't keep 'em all when the time comes for salary increases.

The draft record has been really something:

2020 Brissett, Cassar, Acheampong and Giffen
2021 Nicastro, Nield, Hoyte and Hagerty (plus Doxtater and Vilain)
2022 MacKellar, Knight, Adeboboye, Noll, Kwamou, Sutton -- these guys all hit the end of their rookie contracts after this season

Even if both Cassar & Hoyte move on (and good for them if they are wanted as FAs), then Kwamou, Harleimana and Onyemenam (all-star U Sports season last year) maybe Murphy, is a nice compliment of LBs - for whatever role - playing some on D but more likely back-ups and ST aces. Pretty difficult to keep 5 or 6 of those names on the roster, unless one or two are starting on D. Should be zero need to draft more linebackers coming up.

[Argo57]

Nice!
Darius Ciraco signs a 3 year extension to stay an Argonaut.

https://3downnation.com/2024/02/02/a...-through-2026/

[OV Argo]

Nice!
Darius Ciraco signs a 3 year extension to stay an Argonaut.

https://3downnation.com/2024/02/02/a...-through-2026/

Nice for sure ! - Argo interior 3 set with Ciraco, plus Hunter & Nicastro? Maybe means Dylan Giffen will like to sign somewhere as a FA for a chance to start ?

[paulwoods13]

Giffen re-signed earlier, I believe.