2023-24 off-season transactions

[Rich]

I think the Argos have identified Ouellette as a player who transcends the football field, of course, the challenge now is to re-sign him. I recall people were worried about him leaving last year because of certain posts on social media, but he ended up re-signing. Therefore, I'm not reading too much into any social media posts yet.

To me it looks like they’re preparing to let Ouellette walk. They just signed a second American Ouellette-style back. We know Pinball loves Adedoboye, as do I, and the team may believe he’s ready for prime time, as do I. RB may not be the wisest place to spend the big bucks this year, as much as I’d miss the hammer of Thor.

[Will]

I think we should prepare for the possibility, if not likelihood, that we won't be able to keep both McManis and Pickett. At least one of them will be signing elsewhere, IMO -- both deserve really high salaries, and I don't see how both can be fit into this salary structure.

It's interesting (and somewhat worrisome) that Pickett, Peters and Ouellette have all been active on Twitter (sometimes tagging each other) speculating about where the big money will be spent in free agency.

Pinball's latest comments suggest Argos might be willing to give big bucks to Ouellette, but I would not be surprised if Sask makes a big pitch for him, and I could see him being interested. What a fanbase on which to build a personal brand.

If it does become apparent during the pre-signing week that Ouellette is moving on, I would not put it past Pinball to go hard after Oliveira.

I fear about losing McManis, because he's basically played under Mace throughout his CFL career, although Mace wasn't DC in Calgary technically.

[Argo57]

A prime example why you let a young player follow his dreams, reflects well on Pinball and the Argonauts as stated by the player agent.

https://3downnation.com/2024/01/16/q...e-pursues-nfl/

[Will]

Richie Sindani re-signed by the Argos. Came in late in the year, and made a couple of clutch catches in several games.

[AngeloV]

Richie Sindani re-signed by the Argos. Came in late in the year, and made a couple of clutch catches in several games.

Good depth signing. I don't see him as a starter, but definitely a quality back up. You need those to be good.

[bluto]

https://3downnation.com/2024/01/18/c...onto-argonauts

Canadian defensive back Royce Metchie has restructured his contract with the Toronto Argonauts.The 27-year-old was scheduled to earn a $30,000 off-season roster bonus on Jan. 15, per sources, as part of a contract worth $160,000 for the upcoming season. League sources indicated that Metchie was the subject of trade talks prior to renegotiating his deal, which will now pay him $140,000 in 2024.
Metchie earned $155,000 with the Argos in 2023, which made him the second-highest-paid defensive back in the CFL.
The five-foot-eleven, 197-pound defender started all 18 regular season games at safety for the Argos this past season, recording 72 defensive tackles, two forced fumbles, one interception, and one touchdown. He also started the team’s East Final loss to the Montreal Alouettes, making five tackles.
Metchie was a third-round pick of the Calgary Stampeders in the 2018 CFL Draft. He spent four years with the team prior to being traded to the Argonauts in February 2022 in exchange for Canadian linebacker Cameron Judge. He won the Grey Cup with Toronto that same season as a full-time starter.
The University of Guelph product was born in Nigeria before being raised primarily in Brampton, Ont. His younger brother, John Metchie III, plays receiver for the Houston Texans.
Metchie has made 223 defensive tackles, 13 special teams tackles, seven interceptions, three forced fumbles, and one touchdown over the course of 66 career CFL games.

[bluto]

https://3downnation.com/2024/01/19/a...ariusz-bladek/

The Toronto Argonauts have released Canadian offensive lineman Dariusz Bladek, per sources.The 29-year-old guard was scheduled to hit free agency on February 13 but officially won’t be returning to The Six.
Bladek joined the Argonauts ahead of the cancelled 2020 season and has played the past three years in double blue. He started all 27 games he played through the 2021 and 2022 seasons, serving as a veteran leader during the team’s run to the 109th Grey Cup.
However, the six-foot-five, 305-pound blocker was unable to break back into the lineup in 2023 after missing the start of the season with an ankle injury. He did not dress for a single game and was a healthy scratch for the final two-thirds of the year amid a crowded offensive line room.
Bladek was originally selected 11th overall in the second round of the 2017 CFL Draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, playing three seasons for the team. He appeared in 45 games over that span, making 22 starts.
Born in New Jersey and raised in Florida, Bladek was eligible for Canadian citizenship through his Montreal-born mother. He played collegiately at Bethune-Cookman University from 2012 to 2015.
The Argos are slated to begin their 2024 season on Sunday, June 9 at 7:00 p.m. ET when they host the B.C. Lions.

[AngeloV]

https://3downnation.com/2024/01/19/a...ariusz-bladek/

Not a surprise. Good of the Argos to do it early and give him a head start on free agency.

[Shatto]

Not a surprise. Good of the Argos to do it early and give him a head start on free agency.

The team treated him decently, by keeping him on injury list and paid as per contract. If he is fully recovered from his injury (should be by now) he would be a valuable addition to the Edm or Sask OL.

[ArgoRavi]

The team treated him decently, by keeping him on injury list and paid as per contract. If he is fully recovered from his injury (should be by now) he would be a valuable addition to the Edm or Sask OL.

I could see him rejoining his buddy Philip Blake in Saskatchewan.

[gilthethrill]

Not a surprise. Good of the Argos to do it early and give him a head start on free agency.

Ben Grant and his primary podcast sponsor “Something in the Water Brewing” won’t be happy. But as a comic and all seriousness this is a class move by the Argos to allow him to find a new team early.

[gilthethrill]

Rookie DB Benji Franklin who had a productive pro debut in last years season finale in Ottawa has joined the San Antonio Brahma Bulls of the newly formed UFL.

[AngeloV]

Rookie DB Benji Franklin who had a productive pro debut in last years season finale in Ottawa has joined the San Antonio Brahma Bulls of the newly formed UFL.

He must have been place on the practice roster after the last game, which would have made him a free agent.

[ArgoRavi]

He must have been place on the practice roster after the last game, which would have made him a free agent.

That's exactly what would have happened. Maybe he will return to the Argos after the UFL season is over, unless he gets some NFL interest.

[gilthethrill]

I fear about losing McManis, because he's basically played under Mace throughout his CFL career, although Mace wasn't DC in Calgary technically.

Hamilton could be thinking the same thing about LB Jameer Thurman. He is listed as a pending FA who also has ties with Mace.

[Shatto]

That's exactly what would have happened. Maybe he will return to the Argos after the UFL season is over, unless he gets some NFL interest.

The team offered contracts to 6 players on the PR. Either he wasn't offered a contract or he rejected an offer. In either case he would be released and have become a free agent.

[OV Argo]

D. Maxie named D-line coach, and Dom Picard RBs coach.

Both former very good players for the Argos; both with some nice coaching experience.

[paulwoods13]

The hiring of these two coaches would seem to suggest that we are not losing anyone else from the coaching staff. Picard replaces Harrison and Maxie replaces Mace's DL responsibilities. Still to unfold is the naming of a new DC. Perhaps either Fields or Eiben, or maybe someone from outside the org?

[Argo57]

Looks like a decent signing, Argos stocking up on prospects ahead of free agency.

https://3downnation.com/2024/01/22/t...-derek-parish/

[ArgoRavi]

Looks like a decent signing, Argos stocking up on prospects ahead of free agency.

https://3downnation.com/2024/01/22/t...-derek-parish/

It's really unusual for an NFL draft pick from the previous year to end up in the CFL so quickly. I guess that the change of position has something to do with that.