Barker discussing FA16 on TSN 1050

[R.J]

http://www.tsn.ca/radio/toronto-1050/barker-losing-a-player-who-s-bled-for-you-is-the-hardest-part-of-the-job-1.436851

[ArgoRavi]

Certainly seems like Watman is pegged for centre which means that the Argos will likely play at least 4 Canadians on the offensive line (Bourke, Holmes, Watman, Van Zeyl).

It also sounds like 1argoholic's favourite, Cody Fajardo, is in the mix at quarterback.

[Rich]

It also sounds like 1argoholic's favourite, Cody Fajardo, is in the mix at quarterback.

This is exciting, I love this kid too, can't wait to see what he can do on the big field. Tremendous athlete and competitor. He and Kilgore will be competing for the #2. Barker really sounded like he believes that one of these kids will be able to step up this year. Well let's bring it on, big fella.

Great interview, thanx for posting.

[1argoholic]

Oh man thanks for posting that. Always great to hear Hoagie and Barker has this nice calm way about explaining things so everything feels alright. It really is nice to add good local Canadian talent. Great to hear him mention Fajardo. It's always fun once the dust settles to watch young guys and what they can bring to the table. I still remember being upset that we ended up with Flutie. That lasted one minute into his first game with Toronto. I just loved Dunnigan but you move on.

[R.J]

http://www.tsn.ca/argos-eskimos-and-ticats-hit-hard-by-cflfa-1.438405

When over 120 players hit the open market Tuesday, the Toronto Argonauts GM's priority was bolstering his Canadian content knowing it could cost him some American starters.
So while Barker made seven moves last week, including the signing of tackle Josh Bourke and defensive lineman Brian Bulcke —both Canadians — the Argos lost nine free agents, the most notable being quarterback Trevor Harris (Ottawa), linebacker Greg Jones and running back Curtis Steele (Saskatchewan) and slotback Chad Owens (Hamilton).
Last year Toronto lost SirVincent Rogers, the CFL's top lineman in 2015, to Ottawa as a free agent.
"My focus was all on Canadians," Barker said. "I trust we have the best scouting staff in the league and I expect them to fill in those gaps.
"Canadians are a different story."
Barker's emphasis was also on Canadians prior to free agency, signing defensive lineman Ricky Foley, defensive back Jermaine Gabriel, linebackers Cory Greenwood and Thomas Miles and offensive lineman Wayne Smith to extensions.
Harris started 16 games last year, but Toronto still has veteran Ricky Ray, who played the club's final three games before signing a two-year extension in December. Still, Harris's departure creates questions given Ray, 36, needed most of last season to recover from off-season shoulder surgery.
Sophomore Logan Kilgore and journeyman Adrian McPherson are Toronto's other quarterbacks. It's a situation similar to 2012 when the Argos had unheralded rookies Harris and Zach Collaros — now Hamilton's starter — behind Ray.
"Scott (Argos head coach Scott Milanovich) has a lot of confidence in Logan Kilgore," Barker said. "The fact those two guys (Collaros and Harris) are going to be starting quarterbacks in our division is just the way it happened to play out.
"When you get Ricky Ray, that's what he gives you the opportunity to do: Develop these guys."

[R.J]

http://www.argonauts.ca/2016/02/13/gm-barker-happy-with-free-agent-haul/

Sounds like the Argonauts are just waiting for Okpalaugo to exhaust his NFL options and hope to bring him back. Great to hear.

[Neely2005]

http://www.argonauts.ca/2016/02/13/gm-barker-happy-with-free-agent-haul/

Sounds like the Argonauts are just waiting for Okpalaugo to exhaust his NFL options and hope to bring him back. Great to hear.

Glad to hear that he's still in the plans if it doesn't work out in the NFL.