Bede out; Hajrullahu in

[paulwoods13]

Boris Bede has announced his departure from the Argos.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3995...vity&ref=notif

Assuming nothing changes, this is a huge loss IMO. I have no idea where we will find someone as good as him on kickoffs and field goals.

[Will]

Argos better have a plan there that doesn't include a training camp competition. I still have terrible memories of Drew Brown, Zack Medeiros and Tyler Crapigna.

[gilthethrill]

Argos better have a plan there that doesn't include a training camp competition. I still have terrible memories of Drew Brown, Zack Medeiros and Tyler Crapigna.

Maybe Liram H has decided its time to give up the NFL and return to Canada?

[AngeloV]

Boris Bede has announced his departure from the Argos.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3995...vity&ref=notif

Assuming nothing changes, this is a huge loss IMO. I have no idea where we will find someone as good as him on kickoffs and field goals.

His stupid American status is the problem IMO. Today even American players coming out of Usport are designated as nationals, but the league in its wisdom wouldn’t do that for players prior to the rule change. The are probably looking at going National or American on an entry level deal.

Having said that, if the league does in fact change the kickoff rule and allows a team to take the ball on the 40 after a TD, his kickoff ability will become irrelevant.

[Stevoman]

Sucks to lose Bede. I was happy with him doing both jobs. Sigh...February is a tough month for CFL fans. So much player movement! I know there's lots to always be excited about too but hard to see good players/people leave.

[Rich]

Losing Bede hurts, but if the choice was between keeping him or Brissett I think they made the right call.

["Issues"Mcgee]

Bede will be missed. Kickers who can tackle are rare and we haven't had one since Swayze Waters. This is a tough loss.

[kellynjk]

Happy to see that they've re-signed Brissett, but sorry about Bede leaving. Wonder what the thinking was on letting Bede go?

[AngeloV]

Losing Bede hurts, but if the choice was between keeping him or Brissett I think they made the right call.

Absolutely. I hate losing Bede but his American status and price tag probably too much to overcome. If they do go American, it will be at a bargain priced entry level deal.

[Argo57]

Absolutely. I hate losing Bede but his American status and price tag probably too much to overcome. If they do go American, it will be at a bargain priced entry level deal.

Which also could very well mean they can retain another key player.

[ArgoZ]

I’m not too upset about Bede. He had a solid season, however, he hasn’t been as clutch as he was 3 years ago. 2 years ago, he was borderline terrible and had a high price tag. I thought he wouldn’t even be on the team last year. We already have a better punter and let’s see who the kicker turns out. If it means we resign Pickett or others, I’m good with it, despite how awesome of a guy he is.

[paulwoods13]

Having said that, if the league does in fact change the kickoff rule and allows a team to take the ball on the 40 after a TD, his kickoff ability will become irrelevant.

Good point.

[AngeloV]

I’m not too upset about Bede. He had a solid season, however, he hasn’t been as clutch as he was 3 years ago. 2 years ago, he was borderline terrible and had a high price tag. I thought he wouldn’t even be on the team last year. We already have a better punter and let’s see who the kicker turns out. If it means we resign Pickett or others, I’m good with it, despite how awesome of a guy he is.

Solid season? He was 37-39. That’s a lot more than solid. I also don’t remember him ever being borderline terrible as an Argo. Are you in Buffalo Bills mode?

[Argo57]

Solid season? He was 37-39. That’s a lot more than solid. I also don’t remember him ever being borderline terrible as an Argo. Are you in Buffalo Bills mode?

Yeah but he missed 2!

[ArgoZ]

Solid season? He was 37-39. That’s a lot more than solid. I also don’t remember him ever being borderline terrible as an Argo. Are you in Buffalo Bills mode?

His percentage was great last season for sure, yet I feel so many were short gimme’s. 78 % 2 seasons ago including some really key misses. Maybe I’m trying to cope

[OV Argo]

Ok, so did Bede retire or has he been released ? And if it's the latter, why on earth would anyone cut a veteran kicker with a booming leg coming off a near perfect FG kicking season ?

[Tobin Rote]

Ok, so did Bede retire or has he been released ? And if it's the latter, why on earth would anyone cut a veteran kicker with a booming leg coming off a near perfect FG kicking season ?

I feel like we're going to find out very soon. This front office doesn't make very many false steps...

[paulwoods13]

Ok, so did Bede retire or has he been released ? And if it's the latter, why on earth would anyone cut a veteran kicker with a booming leg coming off a near perfect FG kicking season ?

No pending free agent gets "released: once the negotiation window opens. He's about to become a free agent, and can already negotiate with all teams. My guess is Bede gave the Argos a number to re-sign him, and they concluded it would cost too much and handcuff them at other positions. Presumably they have a plan in mind to replace him at a much lower salary. Very unlikely they'll find someone as good as Bede, but the salary savings might allow them to fill another essential spot on the roster. There's risk involved here, but there is also a risk of losing someone else important if they overspend on his position.

[OV Argo]

No pending free agent gets "released: once the negotiation window opens. He's about to become a free agent, and can already negotiate with all teams. My guess is Bede gave the Argos a number to re-sign him, and they concluded it would cost too much and handcuff them at other positions. Presumably they have a plan in mind to replace him at a much lower salary. Very unlikely they'll find someone as good as Bede, but the salary savings might allow them to fill another essential spot on the roster. There's risk involved here, but there is also a risk of losing someone else important if they overspend on his position.

So then, the Argos brain-trust might have another really good kicker, cheaper, to replace Bede, in mind?

Or do they feel place-kicking is really not that important compared to some other positions, and it's better to cheap-out and save a few buck$ and go with an un-proven kicker ?

Find it hard to believe that Bede would be asking for exorbitant buck$, but maybe i guess; and most other CFL teams are quite set with good or veteran place-kickers (outside of Hamilton maybe), so not like he would have a lot of suitors for leverage and to get big bucks ?

[paulwoods13]

So then, the Argos brain-trust might have another really good kicker, cheaper, to replace Bede, in mind?

Or do they feel place-kicking is really not that important compared to some other positions, and it's better to cheap-out and save a few buck$ and go with an un-proven kicker ?

Find it hard to believe that Bede would be asking for exorbitant buck$, but maybe i guess; and most other CFL teams are quite set with good or veteran place-kickers (outside of Hamilton maybe), so not like he would have a lot of suitors for leverage and to get big bucks ?

Clearly the org has no plan at all, and was caught completely off guard by this. That'll teach 'em.

If you find it hard to believe a player would try to maximize his earnings, especially at this stage of his career and after a superb season, I have no idea what would convince you. I guess you might also find it hard to believe that an organization that went 16-2 with a bunch of key guys on cheap first contracts might have to make tough decisions all over the roster in order to put together another competitive team and comply with the salary cap.