Argos Shopping James Wilder Jr?

[1971GreyCup]

https://3downnation.com/2019/08/16/argos-shopping-star-rb-james-wilder-jr/

The Toronto Argos have made running back James Wilder Jr. available on the trade market, per sources.

Wilder Jr. was a healthy scratch for the Argonauts Week 10 game against Edmonton. Toronto wants to keep Wilder Jr. from being injured prior to any potential deal. The Argonauts signed Wilder Jr. to a two-year extension through the 2019 season in March 2018.

The 27-year-old started the first five games of the season at running back for Toronto producing 161 rushing yards on 38 carries and hauling in 26 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns. Last year Wilder Jr. rushed for 691 yards and three touchdowns on 147 carries with 56 catches for 539 and one major in 13 games.

During his first year in the CFL, the six-foot-three, 232-pound Wilder Jr. ran for 872 yards (7.2-yard average) and five touchdowns in 17 games while adding 51 catches for 533 yards. He started six regular season games for Toronto in which the Argos went 5-1 and the double blue went 2-0 in the playoffs, including the Grey Cup victory while being named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie in 2017.

Prior to coming north of the border, Wilder Jr. spent two seasons on the Cincinnati Bengals practice roster and had a stint with the Buffalo Bills. That came after Wilder Jr. won a BCS National Championship with Florida State University in 2014.

Wilder Jr. can be a dynamic offensive playmaker as seen during the Argos run to a CFL title.

[ArgoZ]

Dave Naylor commenting that Wilder declined (refused) to play Special Teams this week. He gone.

[Stevoman]

So, he misses 2 practices this week because he forgot his passport and then is asked to be the back up running back and play on special teams (likely because he wasn't there for much of the preparation) and then refuses? I understand he might feel slighted having to be the back up but that is quite unprofessional.

[paulwoods13]

If you aren't willing to do whatever the team needs you to do, you can't be part of the team. That's fundamental in a team sport. Time to cut the ties.

[Bleeds Double Blue]

Just for the record (even though nobody asked) I'm fully behind the Burks and Rainey combination at running back. Two explosive backs that I would like to see used more often. If it's true about Wilder refusing to back up and play on specials then I'd say it is time for him to go wrestling.

[Will]

If you aren't willing to do whatever the team needs you to do, you can't be part of the team. That's fundamental in a team sport. Time to cut the ties.

It is unfortunate that it has had to come to this, but yes this is unfortunately where we're at now.

[ArgoZ]

“Pull Together”, except when it comes to risking an injury playing ST when you have a WWE goal on your mind and a nice XFL contract on the horizon. Pains me to say this because I like the guy so much. I don’t think we need any more proof his mind is not focused on the Argos/CFL. Of course he misplaced his passport! Can happen to anyone, but happens to the guy who currently doesn’t give two craps. I think we are ok with Burks and Rainey at the moment too.

See ya Wilder. I will miss the personality and old effort you used to give.

[doubleblue]

James was the number 1 cheer leader (don't get me started on what the Argos are trotting out for cheer leaders these days, but I digress), last night, he sure wasn't pouting on the side lines. I think he would be great on special teams and would have been inserted into the game at some time.
MacBeth could use all the blocking available. Maybe James knows he has a job waiting for him in Tampa in the new revived XFL. But one never wants to burn bridges.

[ArgoZ]

A little bit of pull back this week with Chamblin saying it was his decision to not play Wilder on Special Teams and to let him sit. Not sure I fully believe that, more like some half truths in there. Why have a meeting with him then? He then goes on to say he doesn’t know Wilder’s future. Lots of mixed messages, which is telling really - He’s being shopped. I can’t see much of a market out there for Wilder. BC and Ottawa are rumoured. I wouldn’t strengthen Ottawa when we play them three more times, unless of course the seasons lost completely. BC’s season is done, so why spend money on a player that’s not going to be around next year? I think the Argos might be stuck and I can see his release before the 10th game, to avoid guaranteed salary. This weekend will be interesting.

[1971GreyCup]

Anyone hear why James Wilder didn’t dress on Sunday? Wasn’t he listed as backup RB prior to the game?

Is this the week where teams have to decide whether to drop veterans and avoid paying their salaries for the rest of the year?

[ArgoZ]

Anyone hear why James Wilder didn’t dress on Sunday? Wasn’t he listed as backup RB prior to the game?

Is this the week where teams have to decide whether to drop veterans and avoid paying their salaries for the rest of the year?

He was on the depth chart but we’ve talked about that accuracy. I didn’t see him on the sidelines either. I’d imagine there is lukewarm interest for a trade and he seems no longer in the Argos plans, so no need to risk injury.

Yes, this is the week before the 10th game. We are bound to see some moves.

[paulwoods13]

Anyone hear why James Wilder didn’t dress on Sunday? Wasn’t he listed as backup RB prior to the game?


Yes, he was, but there are always 46 on the depth chart and 44 on the game roster. One INT had to sit. It makes no sense to dress Wilder if you're going to feature Burks and Rainey at TB. Wilder could have replaced Beltre as a special teams guy, except Beltre also rotated in at DE.

Have to assume he's leaving town this week, one way or another. Maybe Wpg would take him for their next two games.

[paulwoods13]

He was on the depth chart but we’ve talked about that accuracy. I didn’t see him on the sidelines either. I’d imagine there is lukewarm interest for a trade and he seems no longer in the Argos plans, so no need to risk injury.

Yes, this is the week before the 10th game. We are bound to see some moves.

He was on the sidelines yesterday. Mentioned on the broadcast, and I saw him at least twice, including once when was pumping up Burks.

[1971GreyCup]

Thanks. We missed the broadcast having attended the game and didn’t know if the broadcasters mentioned it.

[1971GreyCup]

JW Jr. is pretty vocal about his frustration on Twitter recently. Definitely wants to play or go.

[Neely2005]

JW Jr. is pretty vocal about his frustration on Twitter recently. Definitely wants to play or go.

Apparently he doesn't want to play that bad as he refused to play special teams after missing two practices.

[AngeloV]

Everyone knows I’m a big JWJ guy, but the Argos don’t need a guy that’s going to take to social media his frustrations at not playing. There is no denying the Argos offence has been quite better since he’s been out of the line up. Whether that’s just because MBT has now played enough to figure it out or the backfield duo of Burks and Rainey has produced more is irrelevant. It doesn’t reflect well on him.

[Argo57]

Everyone knows I’m a big JWJ guy, but the Argos don’t need a guy that’s going to take to social media his frustrations at not playing. There is no denying the Argos offence has been quite better since he’s been out of the line up. Whether that’s just because MBT has now played enough to figure it out or the backfield duo of Burks and Rainey has produced more is irrelevant. It doesn’t reflect well on him.

As you know Angelo I liked what Wilder contributed to the Argos in 2017 (who wouldn’t), he lost me when he joined forces with Victor Butler and started trash talking the Argonauts organization during contract negotiations.
So Wilder venting again on social media doesn’t surprise me at all and in fact doesn’t reflect well on him.
Personally I prefer Burks in the Argonauts lineup.

[Neely2005]

He might get back in the lineup depending on the severity of Rainey's injury.

[Foxhound]

Darius Raso's signing has now made James Wilder expendable.

:love:

[1971GreyCup]

Veteran cuts done for 2019? I’ve only seen Winnipeg’s Chris Williams receive this treatment in 2019.

[paulwoods13]

Veteran cuts done for 2019? I’ve only seen Winnipeg’s Chris Williams receive this treatment in 2019.

I doubt it's finished. The rule set out in the 2014 CBA (which presumably is the same in the current CBA) says six-year vets are guaranteed pay after their team's ninth game, five-year vets after the 10th game, four-year vets after the 11th game, and one-year vets after the 14th game.

[ArgoRavi]

He might get back in the lineup depending on the severity of Rainey's injury.

He is in for Burks tomorrow and he better damn well produce.

[ArgoZ]

I doubt it's finished. The rule set out in the 2014 CBA (which presumably is the same in the current CBA) says six-year vets are guaranteed pay after their team's ninth game, five-year vets after the 10th game, four-year vets after the 11th game, and one-year vets after the 14th game.

Thanks for the info. I was wondering why there hasn’t been more moves. The Argos seem have to game 15 to decide on Wilder.


He is in for Burks tomorrow and he better damn well produce.

I thought for sure he was done as an Argo. Big time chance for redemption. It’s too bad we are essentially out of the playoffs. With the Cats weaker and Argos playing well, it should be a close one and this game could have meant so much.

[Argo57]

He is in for Burks tomorrow and he better damn well produce.

Put up or shut up time for Wilder.

[gilthethrill]

Put up or shut up time for Wilder.

Is Burks actually injured???

[Argo57]

Is Burks actually injured???

I honestly don’t know, he has played quite well since replacing Wilder so you would think they would want him in the lineup if available.

[doubleblue]

Maybe there is a team interested in Wilder, but want to see him play again before making a deal.

I still thing Wilder can be a difference maker if used to his strengths. It would be interesting to see how a team like Calgary and Bo Mitchell would use him.

[Foxhound]

Is Burks actually injured???

I'm guessing "No". I think the Argos are simply "showcasing" James Wilder for other teams by playing him. That's the only explanation that makes sense since Brendan Burks has been playing better than Wilder this year.

:(

[timlb01]

I'm guessing "No". I think the Argos are simply "showcasing" James Wilder for other teams by playing him. That's the only explanation that makes sense since Brendan Burks has been playing better than Wilder this year.

:(

Great job they did show casing him. Pathetic use of him. It just looks like they don’t consider players strengths when coming up with plays. Brutal job utilizing him.

[paulwoods13]

You have to have run-blocking o-linemen to run the ball. Evidence suggests we do not have those.

[Argo57]

You have to have run-blocking o-linemen to run the ball. Evidence suggests we do not have those.

Someone should tell Chapdelaine this, continuously running Wilder between the tackles with no results.

[Blue90]

Someone should tell Chapdelaine this, continuously running Wilder between the tackles with no results.

It appears to me that the line doesn't block at all for Wilder. Every time he got the ball, he was surrounded by Hamilton players. Maybe his teammates don't like him?

[Bleeds Double Blue]

Did I hear right on the broadcast that Burks was put on the 6 game with a groin injury? I may have been numb at that point.

[Argo57]

It appears to me that the line doesn't block at all for Wilder. Every time he got the ball, he was surrounded by Hamilton players. Maybe his teammates don't like him?

My guess is Wilder didn’t intimidate Hamilton by standing with his helmet held high during the player intros?
Hamilton was ready for any run play involving Wilder, unfortunately Chapdelaine obliged by calling the same predictable run plays between the tackles.

[paulwoods13]

Did I hear right on the broadcast that Burks was put on the 6 game with a groin injury? I may have been numb at that point.

Burks is on the six, for whatever reason. Doesn't mean he won't come off it before six games, tho. All of our injured players are now on the six. I assume this is to open the possibility of SMS savings for some of them.

[jerrym]

Wilder still thinks the Argos have a chance of making the playoffs. He also comments on his refusing to play on STs below.



The Toronto Argonauts’ running back is coming off his best performance of the season against the Ottawa REDBLACKS in Week 13, but he’d had some troubles prior to that outing, including an injury and multiple games served as a healthy scratch. ...
He suffered a rib injury in the Argos’ Week 6 game against the Calgary Stampeders. After spending a few weeks out of the lineup, it looked as though the 27-year-old was ready to make a return to full-time duty. However, that didn’t quite come to fruition. The team offered Wilder a spot on special teams to work him back into the fold. Wilder admittedly declined that, believing that it wasn’t what was best for him or the team. ...

“I was displeased, obviously, but I gave it a few days,” Wilder said. “I tried it out, but then I was just like ‘hey coach, I don’t think this would be the smartest thing coming off a rib injury and playing a special teams role. I don’t think that would be helping the team. I think you should put a guy there that really wants to be there who’s 100 percent healthy and would be fit for the job,’ and coach ended up pulling the plug and healthy scratching me and the two games after that. That was really frustrating on my part.”

After having a relatively quiet outing against the Tiger-Cats during the Labour Day Classic in Week 12, Wilder feasted on Ottawa. He rushed for 42 yards and a touchdown on eight carries while adding another 45 yards and two scores on three catches in the receiving game to help Toronto to a 46-17 victory — it was the second win of the year for the Boatmen and their first on the road. ...

Despite the odds being against them, Wilder and the rest of the Argos are going to continue to fight until the last second. “Every guy in our locker room believes we have a shot so that’s what matters most. We all truly believe and everybody’s really buying in. Nobody is doubting each other; nobody is pointing fingers. Our record, I don’t believe it represents the team we truly are. We had many close games, many games shooting ourselves in the foot and a lot of games where we were up and just couldn’t finish. We’re finally coming together. It’s coming together a little later than we expected — later than we wanted to — but the main thing is that it is coming together. If we have even a one percent chance of getting in, that’s enough for the guys in this locker room.”

https://www.cfl.ca/2019/09/15/wilder-every-guy-locker-room-believes-shot/