Steve Slaton retires

[Rich]

And I like that the two INT RB left on the roster -- Akeem Daniels and Lyle McCombs -- are both straight out of college. I'm tired of signing these 26 or 27 year old RBs who are already half-done after spending a few years on NFL rosters. RBs have such a limited lifespan as it is.

[doubleblue]

And I like that the two INT RB left on the roster -- Akeem Daniels and Lyle McCombs -- are both straight out of college. I'm tired of signing these 26 or 27 year old RBs who are already half-done after spending a few years on NFL rosters. RBs have such a limited lifespan as it is.

The problem is with these guys is their size. Daniels is listed at 5'7 190 and McCombs at 5'7 171. That doesn't make for a very good match up against 250 pound DE's. Milanovich keeps stressing that his RB's have to be good pass protection blockers. To me common sense should dictate a RB the size of Cornish (6' 220), Allen of Sask (6'1 220), Harris of BC (5'11 215), Cable of Hamilton (6'1 215) would be what they should be looking for. When I saw the signing of guys like Daniels and McComb I was thinking they were looking for kick returners to take some of the pressure off Owens. Steele at a listed (6'0 200) isn't an every down RB IMO. Good on ST's and a change of pace out of the backfield but he's not going to get those tough yards consistently IMO. Maybe Kackert can come back and save the day.

[OV Argo]

The problem is with these guys is their size. Daniels is listed at 5'7 190 and McCombs at 5'7 171. That doesn't make for a very good match up against 250 pound DE's. Milanovich keeps stressing that his RB's have to be good pass protection blockers. To me common sense should dictate a RB the size of Cornish (6' 220), Allen of Sask (6'1 220), Harris of BC (5'11 215), Cable of Hamilton (6'1 215) would be what they should be looking for. When I saw the signing of guys like Daniels and McComb I was thinking they were looking for kick returners to take some of the pressure off Owens. Steele at a listed (6'0 200) isn't an every down RB IMO. Good on ST's and a change of pace out of the backfield but he's not going to get those tough yards consistently IMO. Maybe Kackert can come back and save the day.

Yeah - a couple of smurf type backs; and Steele isn't that big and neither are Coombs and Campbell = clearly, this team's offensive thinkers don't value a big power back let alone a decent size RB; if they want a big blocking back in the backfield they could always deploy Robinson or Dupuis more.

[ArgoRavi]

Yeah - a couple of smurf type backs; and Steele isn't that big and neither are Coombs and Campbell = clearly, this team's offensive thinkers don't value a big power back let alone a decent size RB; if they want a big blocking back in the backfield they could always deploy Robinson or Dupuis more.

Still enough time before training camp to sign a bigger back or two if they want one. Roster additions and deletions are happening almost daily it seems.

[Will]

I wouldnt be surprised if the weak dollar factored in

Have other CFL teams been affected by several retirements over the off-season. I figure that if that is a reason then it would cause a few retirements on every team and just not the Argonauts.

[argonaut11xx]

Have other CFL teams been affected by several retirements over the off-season. I figure that if that is a reason then it would cause a few retirements on every team and just not the Argonauts.

Im not sure, but living in Toronto isnt cheap, and taking a 15-20% pay cut would be a huge factor, not nessesarily the entire reason

[jerrym]

Living in Toronto is like living in Vancouver in terms of housing costs, although Vancouver is even more expensive. I remember reading an article in the Vancouver Sun on a several of the Lions young internationals having to share an apartment in a somewhat rundown part of the city to get by last year. With the further devaluation of the Canadian dollar, there is even less motivation to come or return.

[Will]

Im not sure, but living in Toronto isnt cheap, and taking a 15-20% pay cut would be a huge factor, not nessesarily the entire reason

I think the same could be said for Lions and Alouette players.

[argonaut11xx]

Living in Toronto is like living in Vancouver in terms of housing costs, although Vancouver is even more expensive. I remember reading an article in the Vancouver Sun on a several of the Lions young internationals having to share an apartment in a somewhat rundown part of the city to get by last year. With the further devaluation of the Canadian dollar, there is even less motivation to come or return.

Most of the Lions players live in Langley/Surrey/Delta, or Point Roberts, which is close to the Lions training center in Surrey. (Geroy lived in Langley during his time).

And prices in the lower mainland are very similar to living in Ajax/Whitby/Oshawa. Which is wayyy less than TO or Van.