Some interesting little tidbits in Barker's Reddit AMA

[Rich]

Re: Jason Barnes or Mo Mann, Barker said
"there's a lot of factors that go into bringing back a lot of different players. Just because they're not under contract now doesn't mean they won't be later".
Re: Anthony Coombs, a talent-packed backfield and the chances for some new wrinkles in the running game:
"My job is to create options from a ratio perspective for the coaching staff. Coombs is a great young player. Could be a RB, SB or even WR. The biggest thing is we have options with a player like him. Our offence runs through Ricky Ray, but Scott Milanovich understands the importance and value from running the ball. Jonathan Himebauch will bring in some great new ideas."
Re: weak secondary:
We've changed defensive coordinators 3 times in 4 years. Each has their own preferences for the type of DB they want. When you hire good people they're going to get promotions elsewhere.
Re: the most underrated Argos:
On offence Mike Bradwell. On defence Jermaine Gabriel.
Re: will we see Kackert on the roster:
Chad's working to rehab himself right now. At this point I would say no, but he's a very determined young man.
Re: Canadian QBs:
Hopefully 1 day Canadian QB's will have the same advantage other Canadians have in regards to the ratio. The development of QB's across the country has improved immensely in the last 5 years. As a matter of fact, if Canadian QB's counted towards the ratio Danny Brannagan might still be here.
Re: Rumours that Milanovich is unhappy:
I can tell you for sure he's not unhappy. Speculation is...what speculation is.
Re:resigning Ray and milanovich after this season:
Absolutely. Ricky Ray is perfect for this offence. He and Scott have formed a tight bond and signing 1 will probably help to signing the other.

[Rich]

Most interesting of all, I would say, is the prospect of Coombs playing WR. Plus the notion of Himebauch being something of a running game guru.

[Wobbler]

I've been wondering what we're going to do with Coombs before Durie retires. If AD is healthy, he starts at SB/RB. It sounds as though in the meantime we'll experiment with Coombs at various positions rather than relegating him to backing up Durie, and that seems like a sound idea.

[OV Argo]

Interesting about him naming Bradwell as most under-rated; i guess because he is versatile - can fill in at receiver, is a pretty decent blocker too and can play STs as well - because his lack of significant playing time at receiver seems to suggest to me they don`t have much faith in him there - and last season was crying out for young or back-up receivers to step up with some playing time.

Did anyone ask about draft thinking coming up É

[doubleblue]

Interesting about him naming Bradwell as most under-rated; i guess because he is versatile - can fill in at receiver, is a pretty decent blocker too and can play STs as well - because his lack of significant playing time at receiver seems to suggest to me they don`t have much faith in him there - and last season was crying out for young or back-up receivers to step up with some playing time.

Did anyone ask about draft thinking coming up É

I missed the Q & A but reading some later he did mention that this years draft was deep and that there was a lot more top end talent than other years.

I would have liked to have asked Jim about the new National rule and how they go about finding out what players in the NCAA can be classed as Canadian Citizens.
Also if he had thought of checking out whether Jabar Westerman could now be classed as a National. The guy is still only 29 but has 5 years experience in the NFL at LB and RE. Played his High School football in Brampton, Ontario and at 6'3 255 would make a good book end for Foley and is a free agent now as far as I can determine.

[argos1873]

Why wouldn't Westerman be classed a National as he was drafted by the BC Lions?

[Wobbler]

I'm pretty sure that doubleblue is talking about his brother, Jamaal.

[doubleblue]

I'm pretty sure that doubleblue is talking about his brother, Jamaal.

Ya you're correct I get those guys mixed up. It's Jamaal the oldest of the three Westerman brothers.

[Wobbler]

Jamaal Westerman would certainly be a great addition to the team. I'm not sure he'd come to the CFL instead of retiring after having made some pretty good money in the NFL, and if so it might be hard to outbid BC. It's a nice thought, though.

[OV Argo]

Jamaal Westerman would certainly be a great addition to the team. I'm not sure he'd come to the CFL instead of retiring after having made some pretty good money in the NFL, and if so it might be hard to outbid BC. It's a nice thought, though.

Westerman - would be a DE in the CFL - would have to beat out Foley or Okpo for playing time with the Argos = not sure he would be able to.

[jerrym]

Westerman - would be a DE in the CFL - would have to beat out Foley or Okpo for playing time with the Argos = not sure he would be able to.

It's certainly not automatic.