2023-24 off-season transactions

[Shatto]

Perhaps we need to dial down the concern over the QB situation for the team. The odds are Kelly, the league's MOP, will be the Argos QB and Dukes who played extremely well as a rookie last year should be even better with another year under his belt. Granted there should be competition for the 3rd QB spot. Unless Scott makes a dramatic turnaround the team definitely needs a better 3rd QB. I fully expect the team to make an announcement of an additional one or two QBs being signed before training camp opens. Matocha, who is very mobile, has a good arm and according to his coaches has excellent leadership skills would be my choice. As stated by Primetime his size and small college background will probably put off NFL teams. According to one report the Argos have already met with Matocha. Maybe Mason Pierce can help persuade him that the Argos are a great team to play for!

[Rich]

Dukes who played extremely well as a rookie last year should be even better with another year under his belt.

“Extremely well” is overdoing it a bit, no? In my view Cam Dukes is a smart QB with a slight frame and a below-average arm. He’s a solid backup who’s not gonna lose a game on his own, but I don’t think he’ll ever be starter material.

[Shatto]

“Extremely well” is overdoing it a bit, no? In my view Cam Dukes is a smart QB with a slight frame and a below-average arm. He’s a solid backup who’s not gonna lose a game on his own, but I don’t think he’ll ever be starter material.

This is one where we will probably agree to disagree. Dukes is 6' 1" and 205. He will fill out with time. He started two games and would likely have won both if he had played the entire Winnipeg game (Scott came in, played briefly and looked terrible.) He is mobile, an accurate passer especially on short and medium passes, stays calm even when pressured, makes smart decisions and uses his feet to gain a 1st when necessary. In the two game he started, he played with a fair number of backups and still moved the team well. Will he become a starter?---maybe, maybe not, but don't rule him out. When watching practices I was impressed how he took charge of the offense. It became obvious fairly early that he was going to be the # 2 QB for the team. I still think for a rookie, he played extremely well but I understand your reservations.

[AngeloV]

This is one where we will probably agree to disagree. Dukes is 6' 1" and 205. He will fill out with time. He started two games and would likely have won both if he had played the entire Winnipeg game (Scott came in, played briefly and looked terrible.) He is mobile, an accurate passer especially on short and medium passes, stays calm even when pressured, makes smart decisions and uses his feet to gain a 1st when necessary. In the two game he started, he played with a fair number of backups and still moved the team well. Will he become a starter?---maybe, maybe not, but don't rule him out. When watching practices I was impressed how he took charge of the offense. It became obvious fairly early that he was going to be the # 2 QB for the team. I still think for a rookie, he played extremely well but I understand your reservations.

I met Dukes I a chance meeting downtown the day after the regular season finale. I was actually surprised how big he was, and I’m 6’2 and 230lbs. He definitely is not slight built.

[OV Argo]

This is one where we will probably agree to disagree. Dukes is 6' 1" and 205. He will fill out with time. He started two games and would likely have won both if he had played the entire Winnipeg game (Scott came in, played briefly and looked terrible.) He is mobile, an accurate passer especially on short and medium passes, stays calm even when pressured, makes smart decisions and uses his feet to gain a 1st when necessary. In the two game he started, he played with a fair number of backups and still moved the team well. Will he become a starter?---maybe, maybe not, but don't rule him out. When watching practices I was impressed how he took charge of the offense. It became obvious fairly early that he was going to be the # 2 QB for the team. I still think for a rookie, he played extremely well but I understand your reservations.

I thought Dukes was very impressive too; but - the sample size is way too small yet IMO; a lot of folks were convinced the likes of Arbuckle was a next great QB based on playing some for a strong Stamps team with a good offence (same deal Dukes got last year). Dukes shows good promise, but that doesn't mean 1 or 2 new QBs could pass him with real TC competition and smart evaluators.

There are dozens of examples of young QBs who flash some talent when they first get a shot at playing time in the CFL - and that is a reason to have hope for them and keep them around. And a smart team IMO would carry 3 extra QBs on a roster and give them all plenty of playing time in ex. games and roll all of them in during a season, when possible (in blow-out games or meaningless games in the standings at end of year perhaps); until one of them has proven LOTS to claim #2 - there is very little reason to have a set #2 & #3 or 4 hierarchy, IMO.

[Rich]

This is one where we will probably agree to disagree. Dukes is 6' 1" and 205. He will fill out with time. He started two games and would likely have won both if he had played the entire Winnipeg game (Scott came in, played briefly and looked terrible.) He is mobile, an accurate passer especially on short and medium passes, stays calm even when pressured, makes smart decisions and uses his feet to gain a 1st when necessary. In the two game he started, he played with a fair number of backups and still moved the team well. Will he become a starter?---maybe, maybe not, but don't rule him out. When watching practices I was impressed how he took charge of the offense. It became obvious fairly early that he was going to be the # 2 QB for the team. I still think for a rookie, he played extremely well but I understand your reservations.

My impression of Dukes is clouded by the fact he backs up a QB who’s built like a LB and has one of the strongest arms in pro football.

Any #2 would suffer by comparison (on the field). To me it’s relative. If Bo-Levi was our starter I’d probably be calling Dukes the next Zach Collaros.

[Rich]

The once-highly-touted WR prospect JJ Arcega-Whiteside has decided to retire after signing with the Argos in January. Disappointing, but I think it’s another good reason to grab the similarly big-bodied Mardner at #5. The main reason being after losing Gittens I’d wanna keep Canadian WRs a team strength. Obviously Mital works too but he should be gone by then.

I think WR makes more sense at #5 than LB as Marshall Ferguson suggested.

[gilthethrill]

The once-highly-touted WR prospect JJ Arcega-Whiteside has decided to retire after signing with the Argos in January. Disappointing, but I think it’s another good reason to grab the similarly big-bodied Mardner at #5. The main reason being after losing Gittens I’d wanna keep Canadian WRs a team strength. Obviously Mital works too but he should be gone by then.

I think WR makes more sense at #5 than LB as Marshall Ferguson suggested.

No big loss with the retirement of Arcega-Whiteside. Philadelphia was really critisized for using a high draft pick on him and his NFL production (or lack of) proved those right. The team also signed an O lineman named Darta Lee. He has been released so often by XFL 2.0 teams as well as USFL teams ( remember these leagues possess very weak offensive lines) that I doubt he will last long in TC. I give him credit though, he is determined to play pro ball and he must love the game.

[Rich]

No big loss with the retirement of Arcega-Whiteside. Philadelphia was really critisized for using a high draft pick on him and his NFL production (or lack of) proved those right.

His lack of NFL production proved nothing. Many, many great CFL players had a lack of production in the NFL. This guy was a physical specimen.

[OV Argo]

The once-highly-touted WR prospect JJ Arcega-Whiteside has decided to retire after signing with the Argos in January. Disappointing, but I think it’s another good reason to grab the similarly big-bodied Mardner at #5. The main reason being after losing Gittens I’d wanna keep Canadian WRs a team strength. Obviously Mital works too but he should be gone by then.

I think WR makes more sense at #5 than LB as Marshall Ferguson suggested.

Getting a potential stud and possible soon to be starter at MLB like Dublanko would be nice; but otherwise, the Argos need more Canadian LBs like a hole in the head compared to other position groups (D-line, receiver for example) - yet Ferguson has the Argos taking 2 LBs with their first 2 picks ? Much rather see them go with the best D-lineman - either a DE or DT - available in the first round.

As far as receiver need - both Mital & Mardner may be gone early, but there are a bunch of pretty good receiver prospects that can likely be had in that group of next picks = maybe get another Nield quality receiver in mid rounds, and could even go with 2 picks there.

[gilthethrill]

Getting a potential stud and possible soon to be starter at MLB like Dublanko would be nice; but otherwise, the Argos need more Canadian LBs like a hole in the head compared to other position groups (D-line, receiver for example) - yet Ferguson has the Argos taking 2 LBs with their first 2 picks ? Much rather see them go with the best D-lineman - either a DE or DT - available in the first round.

As far as receiver need - both Mital & Mardner may be gone early, but there are a bunch of pretty good receiver prospects that can likely be had in that group of next picks = maybe get another Nield quality receiver in mid rounds, and could even go with 2 picks there.

What's interesting about DuBlanko is, and for some reason all media has avoided this, is he actually started his pro career with San Antonio XFL 2.0, was named starting MLB as well as a Team Captain out of TC and after week 1 was released for some sort of mysterious off field issue. He said the release shocked him and I am not saying he did anything wrong, but I find it odd that 3 Down Nation hasn't written anything about it. Having said that, I think he would be a solid pick at 5 to help the LB core with the sudden retirement of Muamba and the trading of Jordan Williams.