One guy who I hope doesn't get lost in the management and coaching changes is Frank Beltre. Don't know much about him but saw him making tackles all over the field last year. Seemed like a decent player to me.
Talk of the Argos using Derrell Walkers contract to make a pitch for Willie Jefferson. With the defence looking really nice, this would be an amazing final piece. The defence hasn’t been the same since the departure of Butler. One can hope.
I’m not thrilled about Nichols. I say MBT starts with his nice contract, O’Conner backs up. Use extra money for Jefferson and OL (Dennis).
SJ is granted his release from Argos
https://www.argonauts.ca/2020/02/07/...quest-release/
Free Agency Q&A with Pinball:
https://www.cfl.ca/2020/02/06/oleary...nball-clemons/
Willie Jefferson in Toronto to meet with Argos.
https://www.tsn.ca/most-outstanding-...auts-1.1439251
For a team that hasn't recovered from the Victor Butler saga, adding a Willie Jefferson would provide the Argos with arguably the best DL they've had since perhaps Jonathan Brown?
TORONTO ARGONAUTS FOOTBALL CLUB
GREY CUP CHAMPIONS: 1914, 1921, 1933, 1937, 1938, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1950, 1952, 1983, 1991, 1996, 1997, 2004, 2012, 2017, 2022
The Argos have traded for Bo Lokombo, and have signed Natey Adjei, Tommie Campbell, Matt Nichols, McLeod Bethel-Thompson and Jamal Campbell. They are also kicking the tires on Willie Jefferson. I am pleased that the Argos (and ownership) are being proactive in improving the team for 2020.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS FOOTBALL CLUB
GREY CUP CHAMPIONS: 1914, 1921, 1933, 1937, 1938, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1950, 1952, 1983, 1991, 1996, 1997, 2004, 2012, 2017, 2022
Sorry to hear that. It wasn't an easy year for SJ last year and he appeared to be frustrated quite often with good cause. Was probably asked to take a cut and/or didn't like the how the QB situation was shaping up. Maybe both. Just doing the math I believe many of the high salaried players around the League have to be asked to take a cut in pay. The money for the increase in the minimum has to come from somewhere.
This is all well and good, but have they saved enough money to persuade Laing and McEwen to stay?
I can't believe Green would walk away from a good offer because of the QB situation. With two experienced QBs, the Argos are in far better shape there than they've been since Game 2 of 2018. I'm betting SJ realizes any deal he signs now is likely his last contract, and like the vast majority of players he wants to maximize his earnings.
I agree a lot of vets are in for unpleasant pay surprises. Big dollars will still go to a few FAs, but not everyone will get them, and some (many?) will end up taking pay cuts. Last years' highest-paid FAs (apart from the QBs) are almost certain to be signing for less this time around.
Year of the Rocket: John Candy, Wayne Gretzky, a Crooked Tycoon, and the Craziest Season in Football History (https://sutherlandhousebooks.com/pro...of-the-rocket/)
Bouncing Back: From National Joke to Grey Cup Champs (https://bit.ly/3fvip5x)
YOTR YouTube https://bit.ly/37jtG4f
BB YouTube https://bit.ly/2TSYPs7
My guess is they are ready to move on from McEwen. Hope I'm wrong but . . .
With Laing, I'm guessing he's getting some big offers, and our brass may not be interested in matching.
It would be a huge shame to lose our two best NAT linemen, but they pay Pinball and Murphy to have a plan for things like this.
Year of the Rocket: John Candy, Wayne Gretzky, a Crooked Tycoon, and the Craziest Season in Football History (https://sutherlandhousebooks.com/pro...of-the-rocket/)
Bouncing Back: From National Joke to Grey Cup Champs (https://bit.ly/3fvip5x)
YOTR YouTube https://bit.ly/37jtG4f
BB YouTube https://bit.ly/2TSYPs7
Argos release Sean McEwen and 11 other players. Looks like he is heading to cowtown
https://www.argonauts.ca/2020/02/07/...source=dlvr.it
Releases I'm ok with:
Tyler Holmes
Jimmy Ralph
Zack Medieros
James Franklin
Dakota Prukop
Trumaine Washington
Chris Rainy
Kevin Fogg
Releases I'm nervous about:
Sean McEwan
Lindon Gaydosh
Jonathan Mincy
Releases I dont care about because they're not really football players they're youtubers so they dont count:
Donald de la Haye
The only loss I’m mildly concerned about is McEwan but he is replaceable.
Looks like Murphy and Pinball are finally taking an honest and realistic look at this roster and acting accordingly.
Toronto Argonauts
18 Time World Champions
WOW ! - an O-line re-build is obviously coming, and i hope O-line coach and can do well there. Won't be surprised to see 3 imports (including a new fake National) on the O-line.
I thought Washington had a future, but i guess not.
Franklin & Prukop should both catch on elsewhere in the CFL with a lot of teams with not much for QB depth.
McEwen to the Stumps would be huge for them; Holmes should find a home as even a depth guy but maybe a starter - with a pay-cut likely ?
I think calling these releases is a bit of a stretch considering they were all going to be free agents on Tuesday anyway. Obviously negotiations with the players they would like to bring back weren't going well, so they decided to turn there attention elsewhere for the time being. Seeing as how Cleyon Laing isn't on that list, I'm hoping that means they are om the verge of a positive announcement there.
It's us vs the rest of the country
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