Matt Nichols released

[OV Argo]

That may be your opinion OV, I choose to believe that a Canadian QB can flourish in the CFL.
I loved the pick when Toronto drafted O’Connor and hope they sign him, given the chance I think he is a keeper.

But Tousignant was a "stiff"- cause he was given a bit of playing time on a real $hitty Als team as a rookie and did not produce? And then he was gone after just that one season from the Montreal team ? If he were an American QB / ex-NFL draft pick he probably would have been kept with his 1st CFL team for years and given repeat shots, and/or picked up by several other CFL teams for playing time opportunity. Literally hundreds of those examples for average to mediocre to useless American QBs in the CFL (that stiff Kevin Glenn made a career out if it).

Good luck on O'Connor getting CFL playing time.

[argotom]

Yes, this team is reminding me of the 1985 Montreal Concorde. Unlike the Concorde, I hope this team sees the field this year.

Other then the bonus situation, I do not understand this move at all.
While other teams, save Ottawa as well, have signed their QB's for lesser money we have not?

[paulwoods13]

Other then the bonus situation, I do not understand this move at all.
While other teams, save Ottawa as well, have signed their QB's for lesser money we have not?

Other than the assassination, how did you like the play, Mrs. Lincoln?

[argotom]

Other than the assassination, how did you like the play, Mrs. Lincoln?

I hope there is a plan B here.
Michael has great future potential, but not sure he is ready though to step in full time.

[Argo57]

But Tousignant was a "stiff"- cause he was given a bit of playing time on a real $hitty Als team as a rookie and did not produce? And then he was gone after just that one season from the Montreal team ? If he were an American QB / ex-NFL draft pick he probably would have been kept with his 1st CFL team for years and given repeat shots, and/or picked up by several other CFL teams for playing time opportunity. Literally hundreds of those examples for average to mediocre to useless American QBs in the CFL (that stiff Kevin Glenn made a career out if it).

Good luck on O'Connor getting CFL playing time.

I don’t consider the passport when watching a player, my opinion is based on performance.
Having said that you are correct, many bad QB’s who happen to be American have seen plenty of action in the CFL.

[Argo57]

Other then the bonus situation, I do not understand this move at all.
While other teams, save Ottawa as well, have signed their QB's for lesser money we have not?

I fully understand this move, Nichols contract (and bonus) are way too rich considering the current CFL climate so the Argos released him to hit the reset button on any future negotiations.
I also have no doubt that Arbuckle’s potential availability has factored into this, it is no secret that Dinwiddie really covets Arbuckle.

[doubleblue]

I feel the very same way. In fact, today could turn out to be a complete bonus in disguise as I think Dinwiddie likely preferred Arbuckle, but just not at a premium price. If it's MBT, MOC and a 3rd with CFL experience, just as well.

The $200,000 saved on Matt Nichols gets us two other very good players.

Well if Ottawa does as some are expecting release Arbuckle, we do the old switcharoo. The Argo end up with Arbuckle, MBT and MOC I guess. Right now there's nobody announced as signed. WR prospect Blumenthal was a college QB. Maybe there are some QB's from the neg list signed. I saw that Eastern Michigan QB Glass play last year and is suppose to be on the neg list. Had some good numbers there, 6'0 205 and can run. A CFL type QB, but very difficult for a American rookie to come in and start against a CFL defense now a days.

[paulwoods13]

I hope there is a plan B here.
Michael has great future potential, but not sure he is ready though to step in full time.

On that point we can agree. IMO getting O'Connor re-signed is of far greater significance than letting Nichols test the limited market for his services.

There is absolutely no doubt there's a Plan B, and a Plan C. That's assuming Nichols was ever truly Plan A. He wasn't in my mind.

[AngeloV]

I don’t consider the passport when watching a player, my opinion is based on performance.
Having said that you are correct, many bad QB’s who happen to be American have seen plenty of action in the CFL.

Yes. Erik Kramer was given about 3 months worth of chances before the CFL had no interest in him and he went on to have a pretty decent NFL career.

The thought that American QB’s are given such big, underserved chances is just not true.

[AngeloV]

I fully understand this move, Nichols contract (and bonus) are way too rich considering the current CFL climate so the Argos released him to hit the reset button on any future negotiations.
I also have no doubt that Arbuckle’s potential availability has factored into this, it is no secret that Dinwiddie really covers Arbuckle.

It would take a lack of sensibility not to understand this move. Mitchell, Reilly, Harris, Fajardo, Collaros, and Adams all restructured their deals. Masoli took about a 200k cut in pay. But no agreement to restructure with Nichols. What is there not to understand?

[Will]

I've spliced posts on the other thread (sorry in advance if I missed any), felt that the release of the Argonauts projected starting QB warranted its own thread.

[OV Argo]

IF Ottawa with LaPolice, really wanted Nichols, and Dinwiddie with the Argos really preferred Arbuckle - why did they not get on with it sooner (make a trade for negotiating purpose)? All about trying to leverage / pay these QBs as little as possible I guess, given current (Covid) CFL situation ?

[argotom]

I fully understand this move, Nichols contract (and bonus) are way too rich considering the current CFL climate so the Argos released him to hit the reset button on any future negotiations.
I also have no doubt that Arbuckle’s potential availability has factored into this, it is no secret that Dinwiddie really covets Arbuckle.

What if Arbuckle stay's in Ottawa and Nichols does not return?

[Tobin Rote]

On that point we can agree. IMO getting O'Connor re-signed is of far greater significance than letting Nichols test the limited market for his services.

There is absolutely no doubt there's a Plan B, and a Plan C. That's assuming Nichols was ever truly Plan A. He wasn't in my mind.

Geez Paul... what did Matt Nichols ever do to you?

[Argo57]

What if Arbuckle stay's in Ottawa and Nichols does not return?

Could happen, that’s why I hope they are talking to MBT and MOC.
Once again the fact remains the Argos can’t pay Nichols anything close to what he signed for last year, if he refuses to figure that out then see you later.

[argotom]

Could happen, that’s why I hope they are talking to MBT and MOC.
Once again the fact remains the Argos can’t pay Nichols anything close to what he signed for last year, if he refuses to figure that out then see you later.

Definitely not MBT for me, as with him been there bought that T shirt mentality.

[Skinny G]

Could happen, that’s why I hope they are talking to MBT and MOC.
Once again the fact remains the Argos can’t pay Nichols anything close to what he signed for last year, if he refuses to figure that out then see you later.

Based on what Farhan Lalji (and Scianniti as well I believe) said, he wanted a signing bonus, but the Argos aren't paying anyone a bonus. It's something that they have seemingly made clear to all of their players that they are signing/re-signing. They aren't singling out Nichols, just treating everyone the same.

[doubleblue]

What if Arbuckle stay's in Ottawa and Nichols does not return?

I'm sure there is a plan B, C, D. But, one of Harris, Fajardo or Collaros should have been kept somehow for post Ricky. It looks like they have decided to move on without Nichols. Haven't heard anything yet out of Ottawa so maybe Marcel has decided to bite the bullet and pay the bonus to Arbuckle. If that's the case we're looking right now at MBT, MOC, AAR (and another rookie).
There was some talk last yearof Deshon Kizer coming to Toronto. Former Brown's #2 draft pick. But he got signed by the Titans last fall when they ran into QB injuries.

[Argo57]

Based on what Farhan Lalji (and Scianniti as well I believe) said, he wanted a signing bonus, but the Argos aren't paying anyone a bonus. It's something that they have seemingly made clear to all of their players that they are signing/re-signing. They aren't singling out Nichols, just treating everyone the same.

Thats part of it but it seems Nichols is also reluctant to accept a substantial pay cut from his reported $555,000 2021 contract even though many other top CFL players have recognized the fact that the economics of the CFL have drastically changed over the last several months.
If he refuses to figure this out he won’t play in 2021.

[Will]

I will be anxious until the Argos announce Arbuckle.

@REDBLACKS sign Matt Nichols likely paving the way for Nick Arbuckle’s exit from the team without ever playing a game

— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) February 1, 2021