Training Camp competitions

[OV Argo]

I hope he son isn't as delusional as the father.

I guess his dad figured the guy is so good and that going to the lowly CFL he would be handed the starting QB job and light up the league; be interesting to hear daddy's reaction when he finds out his son is not even close to starting or gets cut.

[OV Argo]

D-backfield: area of big competition too with possibilty of a bunch of new starters? - one of or a combo of Black/Gabriel at safety i guess, and then ? - some NFL experienced guys signed like Underwood who played in the NFL; holdovers from last year to be starters ?

Linebacker - Emry at MLB, then at OLB - i like Horton for his good play-making on D last year but can he start at OLB? ; also have hopes for NFL vet Matt Ware to pick-up the CFL game and maybe play OLB.

D-Line: i Hope Cleon Laing continues to improve and hold down a DT spot; maybe NFL vet Thomas at another DT spot; hope draft pick Kirby Fletcher can show well to make the roster - as a solid back-up or maybe plays some in a rotation; DE - Maybin gone; Horton unlikely to play there with Burke at DC; a bunch of new guys will be battling for a job, and some with good resumes; Ivan Brown played some last year but was ordinary at best IMO - wish the Argos had drafted a DE to compete (instead of taking another O-lineman like Dhillon). Lots of competition needed at D-Line.

[gilthethrill]

D-backfield: area of big competition too with possibilty of a bunch of new starters? - one of or a combo of Black/Gabriel at safety i guess, and then ? - some NFL experienced guys signed like Underwood who played in the NFL; holdovers from last year to be starters ?

Linebacker - Emry at MLB, then at OLB - i like Horton for his good play-making on D last year but can he start at OLB? ; also have hopes for NFL vet Matt Ware to pick-up the CFL game and maybe play OLB.

D-Line: i Hope Cleon Laing continues to improve and hold down a DT spot; maybe NFL vet Thomas at another DT spot; hope draft pick Kirby Fletcher can show well to make the roster - as a solid back-up or maybe plays some in a rotation; DE - Maybin gone; Horton unlikely to play there with Burke at DC; a bunch of new guys will be battling for a job, and some with good resumes; Ivan Brown played some last year but was ordinary at best IMO - wish the Argos had drafted a DE to compete (instead of taking another O-lineman like Dhillon). Lots of competition needed at D-Line.

OV, I thought I read somewhere Fletcher is going to be converted to the O-Line....I really like Horton as Balls replacement, be seems like a natural play maker.

[gilthethrill]

You mean he might buy the team? Hey, maybe he'll build a stadium in Vaughn or Markham.

No AV....his son should be the starting qb....I have no insight on the fathers finances.

[OV Argo]

OV, I thought I read somewhere Fletcher is going to be converted to the O-Line....I really like Horton as Balls replacement, be seems like a natural play maker.

Wouldn't surprise me re Fletcher = dumb-@$$ CFL thinking - how many long-range project, back-up NI O-Lineman do the Argos need, and when they are lacking at D-Line (Fletcher has been a CIS all-star DT) ???

[Argocister]

Is there a scenario where Burke could play both Gabriel and Black?

[OV Argo]

Is there a scenario where Burke could play both Gabriel and Black?

Sure - Gabriel starts at safety and Black gets a real shot to win a starting corner job - his natural position plus he has lots of CFL D experience now - unlikely though IMO.

[Argo]

Sure - Gabriel starts at safety and Black gets a real shot to win a starting corner job - his natural position plus he has lots of CFL D experience now - unlikely though IMO.

Isn't Black the Elder (particularly) too short to start at CB? Methinks that today's very tall, athletic WRs would easily exploit their advantage.

[Wobbler]

Not too surprised by these developments.

You must be better informed than I am - I was surprised that Koch retired. He's only 29, and was (IMHO) a fairly important backup. Koch was our only plausible backup at center, and could have come in at guard as well. I doubt we told him that he was unlikely to make the team.

We no longer have a single non-import natural interior lineman on the roster, which is kinda weird.

[ArgoRavi]

According to Frank Zicarelli, Jerious Norwood has retired: http://www.torontosun.com/2014/05/27...-spots-to-fill

I had said a few weeks ago on here that I wasn't sure that the Argos would bring Norwood back anyway given his age but it looks like Norwood made the decision for them.

[gilthethrill]

According to Frank Zicarelli, Jerious Norwood has retired: http://www.torontosun.com/2014/05/27...-spots-to-fill

I had said a few weeks ago on here that I wasn't sure that the Argos would bring Norwood back anyway given his age but it looks like Norwood made the decision for them.

No Ravi, there is more to this story than we are led to believe. Last week DE Ezra Butler retired as well. I suspect OV is calling these players impersonating GM Jim Barker. He tells them the Argos are going to field an all non-import lineup this season.

As for AV's comments on Ziccarelli....I agree.

[bluto]

anyone else think that some veteran players might feel a bit uneasy about import rookies at camps impressing coaches with no veterans around? this could light a fire under the CBA negotiations.

[gilthethrill]

I noticed a plethora of new names on the roster. D-line is certainly not short of players auditioning for jobs.

[ArgoRavi]

Milanovich seemed to be in a very good mood on Wednesday: http://www.argonauts.ca/video/index/id/96413

OV will be happy to hear that Stefan Ptaszek is a guest coach although he may not be happy to hear the role that Milanovich has in mind for Brendan Gillanders.

[Wobbler]

"Maybe some time at FB" seems like a pretty fair assessment. Please surprise us all, BG!

[1argoholic]

Well here we go with all of the excitement, surprises and let downs that training camp brings. Hopefully we have filled the massive holes with guys who pick up the game quickly and don't disappoint.
I know I'm going to hear plenty from my mom through the year as she watches and doesn't know who the hell is who. She took me to my first game some 44 or 45 years ago.

[jerrym]

According to Frank Zicarelli, Jerious Norwood has retired: http://www.torontosun.com/2014/05/27...-spots-to-fill

I had said a few weeks ago on here that I wasn't sure that the Argos would bring Norwood back anyway given his age but it looks like Norwood made the decision for them.

I am not surprised that Norwood has retired. While he impressed with his running style when healthy, he was injured a lot and increasingly so as the season wore on. The last thing the Argos need is another running back with a high propensity to injury.

[gilthethrill]

According to the Argo website DL Marcus Thomas, who arrived around the same time as Aaron Maybin, has also decided to retire from professional football.

[bluto]

random question:

does anyone recall the name of the game that the players used to play after practice with the beachball and the bat? or how the game went? (or is this just something i made up in my mind and convinced myself is a real thing...)

[argotom]

I never had a problem with Casey Printers. An early bad decision based upon bad advice (shades of George Lazenby) and a late no-win situation in Hamiltoxic served to frame a very good athlete.

I agree with you.
Always thought he got a bum rap.
With the right mentor type QB coach, he could have lasted a lot longer in this league.