Jimmy Ralph

[jerrym]

Despite getting very limited playing time, Jimmy Ralph has done a good job when he's on the field. I would like to see him out there more often in the future. The Toronto Star has an excellent article on Jimmy and his brothers, Brock and Brett, who both played in the CFL.

https://www.thestar.com/sports/argos/2017/10/12/argos-receiver-jimmy-ralph-just-continuing-in-the-family-business.html

[paulwoods13]

He hasn't had limited playing time. Since Coombs went down, Ralph has played probably 90% of offensive snaps. He's not getting many looks from the QB, nor is Williams. On one play last game, a pass up the middle to Green was successful but it appeared Ralph had come wide open at about the same depth, further to the left. I like Ralph and I expect him to be around for a while, but he's nowhere near the player Coombs is at this point and he's gonna have to accept being targeted only a couple of times a game this year.

[OV Argo]

He hasn't had limited playing time. Since Coombs went down, Ralph has played probably 90% of offensive snaps. He's not getting many looks from the QB, nor is Williams. On one play last game, a pass up the middle to Green was successful but it appeared Ralph had come wide open at about the same depth, further to the left. I like Ralph and I expect him to be around for a while, but he's nowhere near the player Coombs is at this point and he's gonna have to accept being targeted only a couple of times a game this year.

Sorry, but a CFL slotback nowdays who only gets targeted once or twice a game is a bit of a joke and IMO a waste in an offence; wide-side WR you could see that, but not good enough for a slotback.

Coombs was contributing after being targeted quite a bit; maybe Ralph runs poor routes or Ray and the offensive braintrust figures he has weak hands ? When Ralph gets targeted more or lots and drops passes galore or makes little to no YAC yards, I'll start believing he is "nowhere near the player" (receiver) that Coombs (a converted tailback) is.

Declan Cross has made me believe he is a very good CFL H-back (good hands and bruising runner with some quicks or moves - like his college ball tailback experience would have suggested) who can make plays in the offence - since he has been used (i.e. given chances) this season, and after a couple of glaring drops last season that did not look good.

[ArgoZ]

Jeez, the kids a rookie. Rather then spend most of the year on the bench or maybe ST like a lot of other rooks, he's getting valuable, quality playing time/experience and is making plays when called on. I think they are bringing him along just fine. Good job Argonauts.

[Jon Gonzo]

Sorry, but a CFL slotback nowdays who only gets targeted once or twice a game is a bit of a joke and IMO a waste in an offence; wide-side WR you could see that, but not good enough for a slotback.

Coombs was contributing after being targeted quite a bit; maybe Ralph runs poor routes or Ray and the offensive braintrust figures he has weak hands ? When Ralph gets targeted more or lots and drops passes galore or makes little to no YAC yards, I'll start believing he is "nowhere near the player" (receiver) that Coombs (a converted tailback) is.

Declan Cross has made me believe he is a very good CFL H-back (good hands and bruising runner with some quicks or moves - like his college ball tailback experience would have suggested) who can make plays in the offence - since he has been used (i.e. given chances) this season, and after a couple of glaring drops last season that did not look good.


I like both players, and could really learn to love Declan Cross. I am sure the coaches are working with him on ball security. And lets get him some tough inside runs to get him involved. The guy loves to play. Give him the ball.

[Scooter McCray]

This kid wasn't even drafted and he has nothing but make his case to be on the team. He has ability and should keep getting better.

[ArgoGabe22]

Sorry, but a CFL slotback nowdays who only gets targeted once or twice a game is a bit of a joke and IMO a waste in an offence; wide-side WR you could see that, but not good enough for a slotback.

Coombs was contributing after being targeted quite a bit; maybe Ralph runs poor routes or Ray and the offensive braintrust figures he has weak hands ? When Ralph gets targeted more or lots and drops passes galore or makes little to no YAC yards, I'll start believing he is "nowhere near the player" (receiver) that Coombs (a converted tailback) is.

Declan Cross has made me believe he is a very good CFL H-back (good hands and bruising runner with some quicks or moves - like his college ball tailback experience would have suggested) who can make plays in the offence - since he has been used (i.e. given chances) this season, and after a couple of glaring drops last season that did not look good.

Ralph will never be the primary look on plays when you have receivers like Green and Edwards. It also took time for Coombs to get at the level he was this season. The thing with Cross is, a lot of Cross' players were specifically designed for Cross, like the TD vs Edmonton.

[paulwoods13]

When Ralph gets targeted more or lots and drops passes galore or makes little to no YAC yards, I'll start believing he is "nowhere near the player" (receiver) that Coombs (a converted tailback) is.

Declan Cross has made me believe he is a very good CFL H-back (good hands and bruising runner with some quicks or moves - like his college ball tailback experience would have suggested) who can make plays in the offence - since he has been used (i.e. given chances) this season, and after a couple of glaring drops last season that did not look good.

If memory serves, you were one of the posters on here suggesting Cross was not a player around this time last year. Maybe I'm wrong about that -- there was definitely more than one poster who ripped him on the basis of one or two dropped passes. Ironically, I came to his defence at the time. And for the record, I think Ralph has good potential. But to think he might already be what Coombs took three years to develop into seems overly optimistic.

[AngeloV]

There is an obvious conspiracy going on here.

[jerrym]

While I understand that Declan Cross is not going to replace Wilder or Whitaker, I do think he should be used more often on running plays. Having Cross carry the ball once in 16 games, when he has shown he is a good runner by gaining 231 of his receiving yards as YAC yards is ridiculous. It could even benefit whoever is in the backfield as RB, whether it is Wilder or Whitaker, because the opposition automatic assumption is that the RB is the only one getting the ball on a running play, especially now that Coombs is injured.

[ArgoGabe22]

I like Cross' speed and size but he never even ran the ball at McMaster. I don't think he's a true ball carrier. Not against him getting a carry but that's not really his role/position.

[R.J]

There is an obvious conspiracy going on here.
Pfft. It's the CFL, where lackluster Canadians are handed jobs (not that I think Cross has btw). I'd like to see the ratio dropped to an extent, although I'm not quite ready for the ratio as a whole to be dropped.

[ArgoZ]

If memory serves, you were one of the posters on here suggesting Cross was not a player around this time last year. Maybe I'm wrong about that -- there was definitely more than one poster who ripped him on the basis of one or two dropped passes. Ironically, I came to his defence at the time. And for the record, I think Ralph has good potential. But to think he might already be what Coombs took three years to develop into seems overly optimistic.

I was in the group that gave Cross a hard time. Rightfully so, those were some glaring drops on key downs. I only recall one poster asking he'd be cut though, and he's not posting here anymore. I'm glad he has grown to be a good player. Such is the growing pains of younger players.


While I understand that Declan Cross is not going to replace Wilder or Whitaker, I do think he should be used more often on running plays. Having Cross carry the ball once in 16 games, when he has shown he is a good runner by gaining 231 of his receiving yards as YAC yards is ridiculous. It could even benefit whoever is in the backfield as RB, whether it is Wilder or Whitaker, because the opposition automatic assumption is that the RB is the only one getting the ball on a running play, especially now that Coombs is injured.

Reminds me of Jeff Johnson. When they finally gave him the ball, he could only produce. I'd love to see Cross get a few carries, even if it is to thow the D off like you mentioned. But then again, we'd be taking away targeted plays for Ralph! LOL

[OV Argo]

I like Cross' speed and size but he never even ran the ball at McMaster. I don't think he's a true ball carrier. Not against him getting a carry but that's not really his role/position.

You are most incorrect there - "never ran the ball" - Cross played tailback at Mac - splitting duties with Wayne Moore (who Popp laughingly used a 12th overall draft pick on with the Als in 2016) - 2 bigger sized tailbacks for CIS ball and neither was a dominant ball carrier (like Jesse Lumsden was for Mac) - but they did the job and i believe played together on tha tMac Vanier winning team.

[AngeloV]

You are most incorrect there - "never ran the ball" - Cross played tailback at Mac - splitting duties with Wayne Moore (who Popp laughingly used a 12th overall draft pick on with the Als in 2016) - 2 bigger sized tailbacks for CIS ball and neither was a dominant ball carrier (like Jesse Lumsden was for Mac) - but they did the job and i believe played together on tha tMac Vanier winning team.

Care to change your story?

Just checked 2015 OUA stats. Cross didn’t make the top
50 rushers with #50 having a grand total of 37 yards. I think it’s safe to say he never ran the ball in University.

Officially:

2014: 3 carries for 21 yards; 12 receptions for 107 yards.

2015: 5 carries for 23 yards; 4 receptions for 42 yards

Interestingly, he was listed as a wide receiver on the roster.

[ArgoGabe22]

You are most incorrect there - "never ran the ball" - Cross played tailback at Mac - splitting duties with Wayne Moore (who Popp laughingly used a 12th overall draft pick on with the Als in 2016) - 2 bigger sized tailbacks for CIS ball and neither was a dominant ball carrier (like Jesse Lumsden was for Mac) - but they did the job and i believe played together on tha tMac Vanier winning team.

You are very incorrect with "splitting time". Moore's 108 carries in 2016 compared to Cross' 7 and 1515 career yards compared to 169. MAC actually lists Cross as a WR, and not a RB.

[cfl-cis fan]

You are very incorrect with "splitting time". Moore's 108 carries in 2016 compared to Cross' 7 and 1515 career yards compared to 169. MAC actually lists Cross as a WR, and not a RB.

Cross played a very unique position at MAC which was a blocking hybrid SB/H-Back. He was primarily a blocker but did run and receive based on the game plan. OUA stats are not complete and he did not play much in his last year due to injuries. However check his stats by game for his 2014-2015 season on the MAC site. Believe it or not he was the 2014 Offense MVP.
http://www.marauders.ca/boxscore.aspx?path=football&id=10194 this is a sample of his stats

[OV Argo]

Cross played a very unique position at MAC which was a blocking hybrid SB/H-Back. He was primarily a blocker but did run and receive based on the game plan. OUA stats are not complete and he did not play much in his last year due to injuries. However check his stats by game for his 2014-2015 season on the MAC site. Believe it or not he was the 2014 Offense MVP.
http://www.marauders.ca/boxscore.aspx?path=football&id=10194 this is a sample of his stats

Point is - somebody here said he "never" ran the ball for Mac - and that is incorrect - even if some usual suspect dullards want to believe he "never" ran the ball there, cause that fits their defending the faith narrative - knock yourself out pal. Cross had a 19 yard TD run in that game stat you provided - but yeah, really, he "never" ran the ball/

[OV Argo]

There is an obvious conspiracy going on here.

Is that you Oliver Stone ? ;o)

[OV Argo]

Hey - if some here are good with Jimmy Ralph playing close to full-time reps at a key slotback position in the CFL and want to say it's OK that he almost is never targeted cause he ain't "good enough" or needs to "develop" or is just ok for running clearing routes mostly - that's just swell/special and to each his own opinion.

IMO- a CFL slotback targeted once a game just does not cut it for a good offence. Maybe wayyyy over-due to see what maybe Brian Jones could do instead in that spot = a big target traditional CFL slotback - like the role Sinopoli has played for Ottawa ? - 3 straight thousand yard receiving seasons; Jones is bigger & faster than Sinopoli and was a star, productive slotback in CIS ball - IF Jones has even close to the receiving skills of Sinopoli - great hands, smart route runner, tough to bring down/very good at YAC yards = he could be a huge addition to the Argo offence. But maybe Ralph has a great game coming up - with Ray and the offensive brain-trust throwing the ball to him 2 or 3 times ?

[Jon Gonzo]

Are we really going to split hairs with Declan Cross?

That's too much hair man. Who cares.

All I remember is when he came out of Mac, he was lauded by a couple of my Hamilton friends which was backed up by Duane Ford, who said he was a good sneak pick.

I liked the sounds of him and wanted the Argos to draft him and was happy they did.

I am still happy.

[OV Argo]

If memory serves, you were one of the posters on here suggesting Cross was not a player around this time last year. Maybe I'm wrong about that -- there was definitely more than one poster who ripped him on the basis of one or two dropped passes. Ironically, I came to his defence at the time. And for the record, I think Ralph has good potential. But to think he might already be what Coombs took three years to develop into seems overly optimistic.


Provide the link that shows me "ripping" Cross here; I was disappointed in those 2 glaring drops, but I was not the guy saying he should be cut for that.

He's become about the most productive CFL H-back now - with some big gainers; Lavoie for the RedBlacks might be used a bit more, but he has had some drops problems and IMO Cross is better. Still say the Als' big bruising H-back (name escapes me now - injured for a bit but back last game) - is the best talent there in the league - not used that much but has produced some big plays - as both a receiver & ball carrier; dofus clowns like Mavis Reed & Chapdelaine don't get it though and he would be stuck with one or two touches a game, maybe.

[Argo57]

Hey - if some here are good with Jimmy Ralph playing close to full-time reps at a key slotback position in the CFL and want to say it's OK that he almost is never targeted cause he ain't "good enough" or needs to "develop" or is just ok for running clearing routes mostly - that's just swell/special and to each his own opinion.

IMO- a CFL slotback targeted once a game just does not cut it for a good offence. Maybe wayyyy over-due to see what maybe Brian Jones could do instead in that spot = a big target traditional CFL slotback - like the role Sinopoli has played for Ottawa ? - 3 straight thousand yard receiving seasons; Jones is bigger & faster than Sinopoli and was a star, productive slotback in CIS ball - IF Jones has even close to the receiving skills of Sinopoli - great hands, smart route runner, tough to bring down/very good at YAC yards = he could be a huge addition to the Argo offence. But maybe Ralph has a great game coming up - with Ray and the offensive brain-trust throwing the ball to him 2 or 3 times ?

Count me in on wanting to see what Jones can do, don't understand the Argos not giving him a decent chance to sink or swim as a pro.

[jerrym]

Count me in on wanting to see what Jones can do, don't understand the Argos not giving him a decent chance to sink or swim as a pro.

With Coombs, Cross and Ralph being Nationals who got playing time at WR/SB, I wouldn't be surprised if Jones goes elsewhere as a free agent since his lack of any receptions in his second year with the Argos tells him his future chances in Toronto are not great. I also thought he had some promise last year but sometimes it doesn't work out on one team: for example, Chad Owens on the Als. (Please do not reply that Jones is not Owens.)

[jerrym]

Another National receiver who could be highly attractive on the free agent market is Llevi Noel, who is second in the league in special team tackles with 23 after this game. In other words, even if he does not develop as a receiver, he would be valuable to other teams.

[OV Argo]

Way to go Jimmy ! - good game and the guy has good hands.

The offence is better when the ball gets spread around and they show diversity - stuck with banging the ground game - Wilder is a very good back now that he has found his CFL game and has confidence - very smooth runner and hits the holes and has both power & speed; Cross was involved and can be a good weapon; Green, Edwards and Posey are a very good big 3. This offence can be very good if Ray is given time to throw.

[Argo57]

Way to go Jimmy ! - good game and the guy has good hands.

The offence is better when the ball gets spread around and they show diversity - stuck with banging the ground game - Wilder is a very good back now that he has found his CFL game and has confidence - very smooth runner and hits the holes and has both power & speed; Cross was involved and can be a good weapon; Green, Edwards and Posey are a very good big 3. This offence can be very good if Ray is given time to throw.

Agreed on all counts OV, hard to defend an offence that utilizes all weapons available and has an effective running game as well.

[jerrym]

Way to go Jimmy ! - good game and the guy has good hands.

Yes! Statistically the best game of his young career with 6 catches (a tie of his previous best) for 89 yards. He shows lots of promise for the future.

[paulwoods13]

So now that Ralph is establishing himself, who sits when Coombs comes back? Can't be Williams because he's starting, or Noel because he's a force on special teams. It shouldn't be Ralph because he's best suited to fill in if Coombs goes down again. In theory that means Jones, but he has really started to establish himself on specials as well. I think Webster draws the short straw at that point.

[Shatto]

I especially watched Jones on special teams yesterday---was very effective.

[AngeloV]

So now that Ralph is establishing himself, who sits when Coombs comes back? Can't be Williams because he's starting, or Noel because he's a force on special teams. It shouldn't be Ralph because he's best suited to fill in if Coombs goes down again. In theory that means Jones, but he has really started to establish himself on specials as well. I think Webster draws the short straw at that point.

Agreed.

[Will]

Agreed.

Aren't we only dressing 2 backup DBs currently?