2023-24 off-season transactions

[OV Argo]

A couple more signings on the defensive side.
Should be an interesting training camp.

https://www.argonauts.ca/2024/02/14/argonauts-ink-american-lb-malik-clements/
https://www.argonauts.ca/2024/02/14/...rius-hamilton/

Argos sure are loaded up at LB - Malik Clements added - he flashed some talent there for the Bombers.

I wonder if the Argos might think of switching McManis to MLB or is he more valuable /suited for W-OLB?; or are Jones or maybe Cassar going to be in the running for starting MLB ?

[primetime31]

Argos sure are loaded up at LB - Malik Clements added - he flashed some talent there for the Bombers.

I wonder if the Argos might think of switching McManis to MLB or is he more valuable /suited for W-OLB?; or are Jones or maybe Cassar going to be in the running for starting MLB ?

With the talent and skillsets on the defensive line, you wonder if the Argos will go with a 3-4 look at times this season. As a three man line, just imagine Ceresna, Brinkman and Oakman with four roving backers. In that scenario, I wonder if McManis could play as a rush end with Jones being so versatile. I'll guess we'll see who the new DC will be and their philosophy.

[OV Argo]

With the talent and skillsets on the defensive line, you wonder if the Argos will go with a 3-4 look at times this season. As a three man line, just imagine Ceresna, Brinkman and Oakman with four roving backers. In that scenario, I wonder if McManis could play as a rush end with Jones being so versatile. I'll guess we'll see who the new DC will be and their philosophy.

yeah - a possibility - Brinkman might be strong at nose tackle in a 3-4; but that notion has been floated before when looking at teams with a lot of LB talent, but we have not seen much 3-4 looks from CFL defences - seems to me - in some time.

[paulwoods13]

With the talent and skillsets on the defensive line, you wonder if the Argos will go with a 3-4 look at times this season. As a three man line, just imagine Ceresna, Brinkman and Oakman with four roving backers. In that scenario, I wonder if McManis could play as a rush end with Jones being so versatile. I'll guess we'll see who the new DC will be and their philosophy.

We'll have to see what the new DC's philosophy is, but I personally doubt we would use a 3-4 look given that we are pretty deep on the D-line even after the losses of Hendrix, Barlow and Costigan.

[paulwoods13]

I wonder if the Argos might think of switching McManis to MLB or is he more valuable /suited for W-OLB?; or are Jones or maybe Cassar going to be in the running for starting MLB ?

It certainly looked to me as if McManis played in the middle at times last year when Williams was out of the lineup. I often saw (at home games, where the formations are easier to ascertain) Jones outside and McManis inside. But guys moved around a ton in Mace's schemes, so who knows. Hendrix and Oakman, ostensibly tackles, often lined up outside, and Flo lined up inside periodically. We'll see what the new DC, whomever that is, has in store.

[Argo57]

It certainly looked to me as if McManis played in the middle at times last year when Williams was out of the lineup. I often saw (at home games, where the formations are easier to ascertain) Jones outside and McManis inside. But guys moved around a ton in Mace's schemes, so who knows. Hendrix and Oakman, ostensibly tackles, often lined up outside, and Flo lined up inside periodically. We'll see what the new DC, whomever that is, has in store.

Hopefully the coaching staff will be announced soon.

[TICATS SUCK !]

My reaction to Ouellette saying that Mace was the biggest reason he signed with the Riders was: this seems a bit odd. I also wondered if this was an indictment against Dinwiddie. He also cited the football culture/fan interest as another reason why he left. I will assume then, that any monetary difference in the offers he received was negligible. If this was in fact the case, it makes his departure even more disappointing. ArgoGabe 22, you stated that the last you heard AJ and Dinwiddie butted heads. Could you please elaborate about that.

[ArgoGabe22]

My reaction to Ouellette saying that Mace was the biggest reason he signed with the Riders was: this seems a bit odd. I also wondered if this was an indictment against Dinwiddie. He also cited the football culture/fan interest as another reason why he left. I will assume then, that any monetary difference in the offers he received was negligible. If this was in fact the case, it makes his departure even more disappointing. ArgoGabe 22, you stated that the last you heard AJ and Dinwiddie butted heads. Could you please elaborate about that.

No one can elaborate. It’s all online drivel. I said that sarcastically however someone (zero credibility) was pushing that narrative online.

[AngeloV]

My reaction to Ouellette saying that Mace was the biggest reason he signed with the Riders was: this seems a bit odd. I also wondered if this was an indictment against Dinwiddie. He also cited the football culture/fan interest as another reason why he left. I will assume then, that any monetary difference in the offers he received was negligible. If this was in fact the case, it makes his departure even more disappointing. ArgoGabe 22, you stated that the last you heard AJ and Dinwiddie butted heads. Could you please elaborate about that.

I call BS on his statement. Anyone that has played competitive football knows that defensive coaches spend zero time with offensive players. Just be honest and admit you went to the highest bidder.

[Argo57]

I call BS on his statement. Anyone that has played competitive football knows that defensive coaches spend zero time with offensive players. Just be honest and admit you went to the highest bidder.

You see this type of rhetoric from players when they sign with a new team, over the top pandering to their new coaching staff and fan base.
If the Argos had decided to pay him the most he’d still be playing in Toronto, it’s all about the $$$.
Roll on Ka’Deem Carey!!!!

[gilthethrill]

You see this type of rhetoric from players when they sign with a new team, over the top pandering to their new coaching staff and fan base.
If the Argos had decided to pay him the most he’d still be playing in Toronto, it’s all about the $$$.
Roll on Ka’Deem Carey!!!!

I like 3 Down Nation but it seems like they are really hyping him up only since he joined the Riders. Same RB but now with a Shiny new Nickname,

[paulwoods13]

I call BS on his statement. Anyone that has played competitive football knows that defensive coaches spend zero time with offensive players. Just be honest and admit you went to the highest bidder.

While offences and defences meet separately, players see how coaches handle "the other side" in practice and the locker room. Ouellette also spent a lot of early mornings in the gym with players from the Argo defence. Players talk. And Ouellette presumably got a direct pitch from Mace when he was weighing offers. IMO there is zero doubt Mace's coaching style had a significant influence on his decision. But IMO the biggest factor -- bigger than Mace, bigger than salary -- was the possibility of building a brand outside of football. He will be a huge celebrity in Sask, where folks are eager to spend to support their heroes. He is gonna sell a lot of merchandise to the Riders' rabid fanbase. He has already started that brand-building process, without even having to do much yet.

[Argo57]

While offences and defences meet separately, players see how coaches handle "the other side" in practice and the locker room. Ouellette also spent a lot of early mornings in the gym with players from the Argo defence. Players talk. And Ouellette presumably got a direct pitch from Mace when he was weighing offers. IMO there is zero doubt Mace's coaching style had a significant influence on his decision. But IMO the biggest factor -- bigger than Mace, bigger than salary -- was the possibility of building a brand outside of football. He will be a huge celebrity in Sask, where folks are eager to spend to support their heroes. He is gonna sell a lot of merchandise to the Riders' rabid fanbase. He has already started that brand-building process, without even having to do much yet.

Apparently Coach Mace’s coaching style had little influence on the Argo defensive free agents who played under him last season as none of them followed him out west despite rampant speculation that they would be tripping over themselves to do so.

[AngeloV]

While offences and defences meet separately, players see how coaches handle "the other side" in practice and the locker room. Ouellette also spent a lot of early mornings in the gym with players from the Argo defence. Players talk. And Ouellette presumably got a direct pitch from Mace when he was weighing offers. IMO there is zero doubt Mace's coaching style had a significant influence on his decision. But IMO the biggest factor -- bigger than Mace, bigger than salary -- was the possibility of building a brand outside of football. He will be a huge celebrity in Sask, where folks are eager to spend to support their heroes. He is gonna sell a lot of merchandise to the Riders' rabid fanbase. He has already started that brand-building process, without even having to do much yet.

So you agree, it was all about the money than because the brand building will bring him more money.