Story on M B-T

[Mike Hogan]

His is a story worth telling.

We had a long chat after Wednesday's practice. He was incredibly open about what went wrong, and what's gone right.

Enjoy.

https://www.argonauts.ca/2019/09/19/hogan-macbeths-second-act/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Will]

I was one of those people who had written M B-T off after the Edmonton game.

His play since then has been vastly improved. I think Zach Collaros could have played a factor as well.

[gilthethrill]

MBT has been cut more times than that guy who was trying to shave his face in the bathroom of a moving passenger train. The fellow (MBT) just won't quit.

[paulwoods13]

I've said it before and I'll repeat: I am increasingly sold on MBT as our future (as well as present) starting QB. Even when he was struggling in the early part of the season, I loved his demeanour and command of the huddle. Now that he has relaxed, he seems to be growing into the role very nicely. This is his third season, when QBs often take a major step up. Yes he's 30, and no he's not Ricky Ray, but right now he is one of the top-performing QBs in this league. If he keeps this up for the rest of the season, he will have earned a new contract with a sizeable pay increase. I'm hoping that happens.

[AngeloV]

I've said it before and I'll repeat: I am increasingly sold on MBT as our future (as well as present) starting QB. Even when he was struggling in the early part of the season, I loved his demeanour and command of the huddle. Now that he has relaxed, he seems to be growing into the role very nicely. This is his third season, when QBs often take a major step up. Yes he's 30, and no he's not Ricky Ray, but right now he is one of the top-performing QBs in this league. If he keeps this up for the rest of the season, he will have earned a new contract with a sizeable pay increase. I'm hoping that happens.

I agree Paul. Some of the comments on here about him are so ridiculous it isn't funny.

[Argo57]

Stand up guy who has earned the respect of his team, very important IMO.
This guy has taken a beating this season and still competes, many of us dumped on him when he was struggling so conversely he should be praised and respected for persevering and turning it around.
I hope they sign him and keep him around👍

[ArgoZ]

I've said it before and I'll repeat: I am increasingly sold on MBT as our future (as well as present) starting QB. Even when he was struggling in the early part of the season, I loved his demeanour and command of the huddle. Now that he has relaxed, he seems to be growing into the role very nicely. This is his third season, when QBs often take a major step up. Yes he's 30, and no he's not Ricky Ray, but right now he is one of the top-performing QBs in this league. If he keeps this up for the rest of the season, he will have earned a new contract with a sizeable pay increase. I'm hoping that happens.

What’s frustrating, is that if he was playing at this level during the start of the season, we would be talking playoffs. I know he’s not all to blame, but the lack of QB play was significant, especially in the close losses that could have been easy wins. If MBT has another implosion, will fans be able to still believe? I’m sold that he’s the best QB we currently have, but not as the 2020 leader just yet.

[jerrym]

I've said it before and I'll repeat: I am increasingly sold on MBT as our future (as well as present) starting QB. Even when he was struggling in the early part of the season, I loved his demeanour and command of the huddle. Now that he has relaxed, he seems to be growing into the role very nicely. This is his third season, when QBs often take a major step up. Yes he's 30, and no he's not Ricky Ray, but right now he is one of the top-performing QBs in this league. If he keeps this up for the rest of the season, he will have earned a new contract with a sizeable pay increase. I'm hoping that happens.

I am not entirely sold on MBT yet, but he is growing on me. I do agree his demeanour in terms of his unflappability and his command of the huddle are the keys to his success so far.

[argolio]

What’s frustrating, is that if he was playing at this level during the start of the season, we would be talking playoffs. I know he’s not all to blame, but the lack of QB play was significant, especially in the close losses that could have been easy wins. If MBT has another implosion, will fans be able to still believe? I’m sold that he’s the best QB we currently have, but not as the 2020 leader just yet.Maybe the off-season "promise" to Franklin that he'd be the starter hurt the team. It's not like Franklin outplayed MBT in camp.

Too many unknowns for 2020, like who the GM and coach will be, the health of Collaros, the upcoming trade deadline, etc.

[ArgoZ]

Maybe the off-season "promise" to Franklin that he'd be the starter hurt the team. It's not like Franklin outplayed MBT in camp.

Too many unknowns for 2020, like who the GM and coach will be, the health of Collaros, the upcoming trade deadline, etc.

If that is it for Franklin, he has to be one of the biggest busts in recent Argos memory. If we go with MBT and he falters, Franklin would have set the franchise back 3 years of winning. Terrible.

I have no idea why Collaros is on this team.

[gilthethrill]

If that is it for Franklin, he has to be one of the biggest busts in recent Argos memory. If we go with MBT and he falters, Franklin would have set the franchise back 3 years of winning. Terrible.

I have no idea why Collaros is on this team.

How is Franklin a bust? His contract is not huge, he cost us Mason Woods, who was a 2nd round pick and is currently out of football. Seems like a small price. When Franklin came to Toronto, he was still unproven. As for Collaros, if he heals up and continues his career, perhaps he would agree to backup a starter.

I don't understand your comment about the franchise being set back 3 years of winning.

[AngeloV]

If that is it for Franklin, he has to be one of the biggest busts in recent Argos memory. If we go with MBT and he falters, Franklin would have set the franchise back 3 years of winning. Terrible.

I have no idea why Collaros is on this team.

A bust? Maybe we put unrealistic expectations on him, but the fact is he had 2 great games prior to coming here. Unfortunately both were against the Argos so we may not have been looking at things objectively. Just like every other QB that comes to this league, until they firmly establish themselves, they are all just prospects.

[jerrym]

A bust? Maybe we put unrealistic expectations on him, but the fact is he had 2 great games prior to coming here. Unfortunately both were against the Argos so we may not have been looking at things objectively. Just like every other QB that comes to this league, until they firmly establish themselves, they are all just prospects.

In addition, Franklin had to become the starting QB earlier than the Argos planned due to Ricky Ray's injury, so he missed out on some development time. His early problems were likely somewhat related to that and may have also affected his confidence.

[argotom]

Every time MBT grows on you a little bit, he has a stinker like so far this first half.

[Shatto]

MBT showed again tonight may be a capable QB----------as a backup.

[ArgoZ]

How is Franklin a bust? His contract is not huge, he cost us Mason Woods, who was a 2nd round pick and is currently out of football. Seems like a small price. When Franklin came to Toronto, he was still unproven. As for Collaros, if he heals up and continues his career, perhaps he would agree to backup a starter.

I don't understand your comment about the franchise being set back 3 years of winning.

Franklin will have had 2 full seasons to take the reins and hasn’t been able to. If they part ways after this season, how is it not a bust? If they have a losing season next year, that’s 3 terrible, franchise hurting seasons due to not having a franchise QB that Franklin was supposed to be. Major bummer.

[ArgoZ]

A bust? Maybe we put unrealistic expectations on him, but the fact is he had 2 great games prior to coming here. Unfortunately both were against the Argos so we may not have been looking at things objectively. Just like every other QB that comes to this league, until they firmly establish themselves, they are all just prospects.

Maybe we did. They gave him unrealistic money too then. The franchise was then unrealistic to hope he would be the answer post Ricky Ray. All this hope and mortgaging the future on a prospect? I agree, it’s a crapshoot most of the time. So frustrating. I have no answers either.

[doubleblue]

How is Franklin a bust? His contract is not huge, he cost us Mason Woods, who was a 2nd round pick and is currently out of football. Seems like a small price. When Franklin came to Toronto, he was still unproven. As for Collaros, if he heals up and continues his career, perhaps he would agree to backup a starter.

I don't understand your comment about the franchise being set back 3 years of winning.

Yah I don't think James Franklin is a bust and I still feel he has more upside than McLeod but will he be here after this year? He will probably go the free agent route to see what's out there for him. IMO I think he is better than the two guys Ottawa is trotting out there this year so they could well be interested. He has to be frustrated by not being given a longer look the last two years, so he just might move on even if he doesn't receive that much more money than he is receiving here.
I read where he said Chapdelaine's offense is very complicated. You could have fooled me watching it but if that's the case it needs to be simplified to help these young QB's. Sometimes I believe the teams are over coached trying to justify their jobs. I mean how many passing routes do you need. There's down and in, down and out, a button hook and the fly and do some variations off them. Don't need a hundred plays drawn up. Balderdash. I can well remember how teams used to bring players in and they played the next week and they did alright. Now, oh they have to learn the Canadian game for a year, or if there is a veteran like Mincy, oh they have to learn the system for a month. You think Mincy couldn't have stepped in and played better than 2 or 3 of those guys on the field last night. Bear Woods had to wait for an injury to get on the field. Bear Woods doesn't need a stupid "system" he got a nose for the ball. The same with Mincy, you can either cover and tackle or you can't and we know he can. Conditioning would be the only reason those players wouldn't playing IMO.
Frustrating to watch an over coached team run by poor Coaching. Where is Ed Hervey when you need him. Lol
Sorry it boils over once in a while. But we have to be passionate, right?

[RB957]

I've said it before and I'll repeat: I am increasingly sold on MBT as our future (as well as present) starting QB. Even when he was struggling in the early part of the season, I loved his demeanour and command of the huddle. Now that he has relaxed, he seems to be growing into the role very nicely. This is his third season, when QBs often take a major step up. Yes he's 30, and no he's not Ricky Ray, but right now he is one of the top-performing QBs in this league. If he keeps this up for the rest of the season, he will have earned a new contract with a sizeable pay increase. I'm hoping that happens.


Every time MBT grows on you a little bit, he has a stinker like so far this first half.

This is it in a nutshell.... and why I would not put my faith and trust into MBT being the starting QB. I mean, I love the guy... but he's not THE guy. Between bad decisions and overthrowing or underthrowing receivers, he is just not consistent enough for me. And for all of the progress he has made, I don't believe the bottom line will change. For all of the criticisms of James Franklin, he hasn't had near the same amount of opportunities as MBT to really prove himself. At this point, I feel like even if they give the ball to Franklin, all we are doing is showcasing him so another team can grab him in free agency. I can't believe that he would want to stay in Toronto in the current situation.

[gilthethrill]

Franklin will have had 2 full seasons to take the reins and hasn’t been able to. If they part ways after this season, how is it not a bust? If they have a losing season next year, that’s 3 terrible, franchise hurting seasons due to not having a franchise QB that Franklin was supposed to be. Major bummer.

A bust is a player that a team heavily invests their future in (ie trades several valuable assets, perhaps overpays with a huge contract). Popp simply made a trade for, what most people thought was the best qb in the CFL who was not starting. Again, Mason Woods for James Franklin was not a bad deal. Franklin was a prospect coming here. Then he gets a HC in Trestman who didn't seem to like him. That's not on Franklin.

[Argo57]

A bust is a player that a team heavily invests their future in (ie trades several valuable assets, perhaps overpays with a huge contract). Popp simply made a trade for, what most people thought was the best qb in the CFL who was not starting. Again, Mason Woods for James Franklin was not a bad deal. Franklin was a prospect coming here. Then he gets a HC in Trestman who didn't seem to like him. That's not on Franklin.

You have indeed stated the facts, Trestman for whatever reason didn’t like Franklin and didn’t play him last season (even when the Argos were out of it) which IMO was a very shortsighted and idiotic approach, fast forward to this season in which Franklin was injured early on and put on the 6 game injured list.
Well the Argos are realistically out of playoff contention and should have another look at Franklin to make a thorough decision.
Calling Franklin a bust under the above circumstances (listed above) is simply not factual, what is fact is we really don’t know what kind of prospect he is at this time, however it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see him go to another franchise and have success.

[argonaut11xx]

I really hope MBT excels, in the XFL with coach Trestman

Love your article, but when MBT quoted Jim Carrey, and is from San Fran, that kinda made sense of everything. HAHA.

He is a likeable 2nd stringer at best, and at 31 not worth the investment.

[ArgoZ]

You have indeed stated the facts, Trestman for whatever reason didn’t like Franklin and didn’t play him last season (even when the Argos were out of it) which IMO was a very shortsighted and idiotic approach, fast forward to this season in which Franklin was injured early on and put on the 6 game injured list.
Well the Argos are realistically out of playoff contention and should have another look at Franklin to make a thorough decision.
Calling Franklin a bust under the above circumstances (listed above) is simply not factual, what is fact is we really don’t know what kind of prospect he is at this time, however it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see him go to another franchise and have success.

Guys, I didn’t call Franklin’s career a bust (even though I believe that’s the future), only his time here in Argoland is shaping up to be one. If we don’t see much from him these last games and he’s gone, that’s not an unreasonable statement. The Argos didn’t spend much to get him but they did invest the franchise heavily on him becoming our star. If you recall, he was the prized off-season signing to replace Ray. Chamblin proclaimed him his Starter. He has had some issues not in his control, but you can’t say he hasn’t had his chances. Every time MBT relieved this guy, the team has become instantly better. Trestman being the pro he is, figured out Franklin just isn’t that good before the rest of us did. Or was it something else? A poster used to remark how Franklin doesn’t put in the hours, comes off the field smiling no matter what. It certainly seems like he doesn’t give a F. If family is more important to him then good for him, I would tend to agree. That doesn’t mean he’s right for my football team. We need a star and there’s nothing wrong selfishly wanting one as fans. Neither one of these guys are that and I don’t see it being fixed for next season.

[1971GreyCup]

A bust is a player that a team heavily invests their future in (ie trades several valuable assets, perhaps overpays with a huge contract). Popp simply made a trade for, what most people thought was the best qb in the CFL who was not starting. Again, Mason Woods for James Franklin was not a bad deal. Franklin was a prospect coming here. Then he gets a HC in Trestman who didn't seem to like him. That's not on Franklin.

What was there in 2018 for Trestman to like about Franklin? He pretty much offered the same last year and this year.