Matt Nichols Signs for 3 Years

[Neely2005]

https://mobile.twitter.com/FarhanLaljiTSN/status/1225537058317488132

Argonauts sign QB Nichols to three-year deal https://www.tsn.ca/1.1437772

[OV Argo]

Woo hoo !!!

[Mightygoose]

Now hoping is stays healthy. If so, we have some depth at QB. It's been a while.

[doubleblue]

Woo hoo !!!

Try and constrain yourself there OV. lol

So there you go boys and girls after months of speculating our wish list has been whittled down to the two left overs. Matt Nichols is obviously rated ahead of McCleod, as they say "follow the money". Three year contract to one year is quite telling.
Now who will be the receivers? Apparently Walker won't be back which is disappointing as he and Nichols could hook up for that deep threat that all teams look for. Edwards and SJ Green are on the back end of their careers IMO but can still be productive under the right circumstances. Rodney Smith had his moments last year but he will be 30 and then Chandler Worthy is also signed and played well late in the season. Unless there is a hidden gem in the no names signed so far maybe we will see most of those five guys back. Was one of the better receiving corps in the League last year IMO. Add Canadians Adjey, Gittens and Noel and the receiving looks good if and when they all get signed.
I don't see Nichols playing all 18 games and maybe he starts the year on the 6 game injured list to make sure his shoulder and throwing arm is back. Also would save a third of his salary from the cap. So I think all three QB's Nichols, MBT and O'Connor will see playing time this year. Is O'Connor the eventual starter? Time will tell, but he is a Jim Popp draft pick. Maybe the new Coach would rather have a more mobile QB coming along in the wings. Nathan Rourke will be there for the taking in the CFL draft.

[OV Argo]

An O-line to protect immobile QBs might be very key; be interesting to see what MacAdoo does there. Not to mention have a strong run game (i don't hold out much faith there).

Could be real interstin' competiton at OT - both for the import spot, or if they start a NI there (?) - J. Campbell re-signed was nice but i wouldn't just pencil him in as the starter with a new O-line coach and a bunch of competition (hopefully) - Simba, Richards & Starczala should all get a real look. FA situation = could lose both McEwen and Holmes, and Bomben already let go. Might have to look at hard at FAs or the draft there - and there are a good number of interior O-line prospects = don't be afraid to give young rookies a real shot - the Bummers started 2 young rookies on the O-line in a GC win.

[paulwoods13]

I'm sure Nichols wanted a three-year contract for many reasons, including the fact that it suggests he's now "the Man" here. I also assume the team did not want a repeat of this off-season, with no viable starting QB signed heading into the free agency period. Hence Nichols gets a multi-year deal. But as we all know, CFL contracts are not guaranteed. If MBT wins the job (which I believe will happen, and I am taking Pinball at his word that the decision on the starter will be left up to Dinwiddie), and/or if O'Connor's development accelerates, I doubt Nichols will collect on this deal in Years 2 and 3. If he does end up starting and does well, we don't need to worry about the QB position heading into 2021. If MBT has the kind of year I think he's capable of, he can sign a much bigger deal for 2021 while Nichols gets released. Either way we are more protected than we were heading into this off-season.

[doubleblue]

An O-line to protect immobile QBs might be very key; be interesting to see what MacAdoo does there. Not to mention have a strong run game (i don't hold out much faith there).

Could be real interstin' competiton at OT - both for the import spot, or if they start a NI there (?) - J. Campbell re-signed was nice but i wouldn't just pencil him in as the starter with a new O-line coach and a bunch of competition (hopefully) - Simba, Richards & Starczala should all get a real look. FA situation = could lose both McEwen and Holmes, and Bomben already let go. Might have to look at hard at FAs or the draft there - and there are a good number of interior O-line prospects = don't be afraid to give young rookies a real shot - the Bummers started 2 young rookies on the O-line in a GC win.

We can't forget the new National Rule. Several veteran American FA linemen still out there who could play as a National now. To me it's the easiest way to strengthen the Line. Sign a couple (Dennis, Bond, Draheim are still out there) to go along with Randy Richards and then go with two of them as part of the 10 National starters. Probably cheaper and better than some of the Canadians who have been found wanting. With the minimum going up to 65,000 some other salaries are going to have to come down a bit.

[paulwoods13]

We can't forget the new National Rule. Several veteran American FA linemen still out there who could play as a National now. To me it's the easiest way to strengthen the Line. Sign a couple (Dennis, Bond, Draheim are still out there) to go along with Randy Richards and then go with two of them as part of the 10 National starters. Probably cheaper and better than some of the Canadians who have been found wanting. With the minimum going up to 65,000 some other salaries are going to have to come down a bit.

That might in fact be part of the plan, but it would mean starting "real" Canadians at positions formerly held by Internationals. Still need seven "real" NATs, so if two positions that had NATs on the o-line last year (let's say centre and left guard) were to have "naturalized" NATs this season, we'd need two "real" NATs to play positions formerly held by INTs. Maybe one position in the secondary and one at receiver, or maybe a LB and a DB?

[OV Argo]

We can't forget the new National Rule. Several veteran American FA linemen still out there who could play as a National now. To me it's the easiest way to strengthen the Line. Sign a couple (Dennis, Bond, Draheim are still out there) to go along with Randy Richards and then go with two of them as part of the 10 National starters. Probably cheaper and better than some of the Canadians who have been found wanting. With the minimum going up to 65,000 some other salaries are going to have to come down a bit.


Have to do better than that IMO - Bond is more of a guard; Dennis was a wash-out as a FA with the Riders; Draheim is a mediocre who got to play cause of his passport. And none of them will sign for cheap.

[Argo57]

Have to do better than that IMO - Bond is more of a guard; Dennis was a wash-out as a FA with the Riders; Draheim is a mediocre who got to play cause of his passport. And none of them will sign for cheap.

Argos maybe better served addressing the O-Line through the draft.

[doubleblue]

Have to do better than that IMO - Bond is more of a guard; Dennis was a wash-out as a FA with the Riders; Draheim is a mediocre who got to play cause of his passport. And none of them will sign for cheap.

All these guys have played in the CFL as imports in mostly "Canadian" positions and mostly left tackle, which is generally considered your best guy. Bond has played well mostly at RG. Randy Richards can play all the O Line positions. Could play center if McEwen goes to Calgary. I don't see anybody in the draft who is ready to step in and play. O'Donnell looks good but if he is that good he will be in a NFL camp. No if the Argos want to improve their offensive line in a hurry, they will pick their two best Canadians signed (Campbell & Simba)? and fit one import and two American Nationals around them. Still starting 4 Nationals for the ratio. Pay increase for sure but not in the range of what McEwen and Holmes were making.

[SkalbaniasGhost]

=Could play center if McEwen goes to Calgary. I don't see anybody in the draft who is ready to step in and play. O'Donnell looks good but if he is that good he will be in a NFL camp. No if the Argos want to improve their offensive line in a hurry, they will pick their two best Canadians signed (Campbell & Simba)? and fit one import and two American Nationals around them. Still starting 4 Nationals for the ratio. Pay increase for sure but not in the range of what McEwen and Holmes were making.

Sam Lefebvre(Laval) could start at center now for a much cheaper rate if Sean McEwen leaves for Calgary.Coulter Woodmansey,Mattland Riley,Jacob Szott and Spencer Hood are CFL ready.I've seen enough of the quick fixes.Let's see a foundation built for the next five year's.

[doubleblue]

Sam Lefebvre(Laval) could start at center now for a much cheaper rate if Sean McEwen leaves for Calgary.Coulter Woodmansey,Mattland Riley,Jacob Szott and Spencer Hood are CFL ready.I've seen enough of the quick fixes.Let's see a foundation built for the next five year's.

I don't see any of these guys ready to step in and play in the CFL. The Argos have a foundation of Canadian Offensive linemen on the roster already. Jamal Campbell, Shane Richards, Maurice Simba and have re-signed Eric Starczala. Campbell took three years of grooming before they could start him. Number one pick Richards from the NCAA wasn't ready, but I did like what I saw of Simba late in the season. Starczala will be starting his apprentice phase this year if they keep him around. Probably another guy will be picked somewhere in the draft. I think a lot people under estimate the calibre of player it takes to play in the CFL. Big jump from the college ranks unless you are an elite athlete.
Leo Cahill use to say you had to get a player from the first 4 rounds (NCAA) good enough to start in the CFL right out of college. With more teams now that is probably the first 3 rounds and some of them don't pan out. Those guys aren't available for the CFL anymore, so they have to look for players that need a few years on practice squads and backups that can develop into starters material. Kids coming out of USports get plugged in because the ratio but they need a few years to develop. So IMO if you can now find a couple of Import Linemen who have been good enough to start in the CFL and can now be a National it is like found money. Matt Nichols and MBT don't need to play behind rookie O Linemen learning how to pass block the veteran defensive linemen in this league. But we all have our opinions.

[paulwoods13]

No if the Argos want to improve their offensive line in a hurry, they will pick their two best Canadians signed (Campbell & Simba)? and fit one import and two American Nationals around them. Still starting 4 Nationals for the ratio. Pay increase for sure but not in the range of what McEwen and Holmes were making.

Not to belabour this, but that would also mean still needing six starting NATs elsewhere. Last year it was typically one at WR, one on the d-line, one at either LB or DB, and four on the o-line for total of seven. Naturalized NATs will upgrade us on the line only if we can find real NATs to play positions that were held in the past by INTs. So, where?

[doubleblue]

Not to belabour this, but that would also mean still needing six starting NATs elsewhere. Last year it was typically one at WR, one on the d-line, one at either LB or DB, and four on the o-line for total of seven. Naturalized NATs will upgrade us on the line only if we can find real NATs to play positions that were held in the past by INTs. So, where?

4 on the OL (including 2 American Nationals, FB/WR, DT, DE, OLB, S, CB (American National).

[Shatto]

We are all still coming to grips with the intricacies of the new ratio rules but as PW has pointed out, a team still needs to start 7 "real" Canadians ( Can Nat). This only changes if one of those 7 are injured and then may be replaced by a veteran American. So, if a team wants to reduce the number of Canadians on the OL, the team must find other ways to play the 7 starting Canadians. Assuming Lokombo can be one of the LB's and we manage to re-sign Laing and one of Woodson/Gabriel/Boateng are re-signed and can play as a DB starter, it leaves 4 Canadians to play on offense. Unless the team starts 2 receivers, the team still needs to start 3 Canadians on the OL.

[paulwoods13]

4 on the OL (including 2 American Nationals, FB/WR, DT, DE, OLB, S, CB (American National).

OK, tnx. I agree we should be able to find two starters in the secondary and at LB among Lokombo, Gabriel, Boateng and Woodson -- maybe even three. Robbie Smith started a few games last season at DE and seems capable, but not sure we have any NAT capable of backing him up. And of course DT requires that we re-sign Laing (far from a sure bet IMO) or find another NAT capable of starting there. Or we could play two true NATs at receiver: say Adjei plus either Gittens (in five-receiver sets) or Cross/Cibasu (in H-back/TE sets).

[AngeloV]

4 on the OL (including 2 American Nationals, FB/WR, DT, DE, OLB, S, CB (American National).

So you think Lokombo starts at WILL? I think you might see him at safety with Darby moving to the half. I see the starting secondary at this point as: (bondary to field) Campbell/Richardson/Lokombo/Darby/Woodson or Boateng.

I also would not count against having 2 Canadians in the receiving corps and wonder if the Argos might pursue Brescacin in free agency.

[Will]

I expect (hope) that Pinball advised MBT that the plan was to sign Nichols. I'm a little surprised at the term to be honest, however with a 1-2 punch of MBT/Nichols (in any order), I am content with the QB's going into the 2020 season. Now let's address the other areas of need.

[doubleblue]

So you think Lokombo starts at WILL? I think you might see him at safety with Darby moving to the half. I see the starting secondary at this point as: (bondary to field) Campbell/Richardson/Lokombo/Darby/Woodson or Boateng.

I also would not count against having 2 Canadians in the receiving corps and wonder if the Argos might pursue Brescacin in free agency.

Yes they definitely are going to have options. Lokombo was an intimidating force at safety for the Als but Darby is no slouch and can cover better IMO. CB would be one position they could use a Naturalized National of either Campbell or Richardson. Boateng and Woodson could slide in there in case of an injury. Probably rotate in there some anyway.
Brescacin would be interesting, I just assumed he would re-sign with Calgary.

[paulwoods13]

Brescacin would be interesting, I just assumed he would re-sign with Calgary.

I think there's a very good chance Brescacin signs with either Toronto or Hamilton.

[paulwoods13]

Lalji says Nichols signed for $350k in hard money with incentives that could take it to $560k. That's pretty rich, IMO. $350k base is not too far out of line but I thought we could have got him for closer to $300. There were not gonna be any other suitors at his pay grade so we had some leverage. But he had some, too -- our desire for a second experienced QB.

If both guys negotiated the same games-played incentive ($5k per game/$90k total available), and if the reported numbers are accurate, we would be in for a minimum payout of $657k (MBT $217k, MN $350k, GP $90k). If MN negotiated a higher GP incentive, obviously that could push our total QB spend up; at the same time, it would be an incentive for mgmt. to play MBT instead of MN.

I hope MN's GP incentive maxes at $90k and his other incentives (potentially $120k) relate to team success: first-place finish, GC appearance, GC win. If he plays the most and we have a great year, I'd be thrilled to have him exceed $500k in earnings. But I still like MBT's chances of winning the starting job, if it truly is the open competition we've been told it will be.

[argos1873]

The best signing we could ask for given the circumstances. Just curious but what is better than this, given whats available?

[OV Argo]

I don't see any of these guys ready to step in and play in the CFL. The Argos have a foundation of Canadian Offensive linemen on the roster already. Jamal Campbell, Shane Richards, Maurice Simba and have re-signed Eric Starczala. Campbell took three years of grooming before they could start him. Number one pick Richards from the NCAA wasn't ready, but I did like what I saw of Simba late in the season. Starczala will be starting his apprentice phase this year if they keep him around. Probably another guy will be picked somewhere in the draft. I think a lot people under estimate the calibre of player it takes to play in the CFL. Big jump from the college ranks unless you are an elite athlete.
Leo Cahill use to say you had to get a player from the first 4 rounds (NCAA) good enough to start in the CFL right out of college. With more teams now that is probably the first 3 rounds and some of them don't pan out. Those guys aren't available for the CFL anymore, so they have to look for players that need a few years on practice squads and backups that can develop into starters material. Kids coming out of USports get plugged in because the ratio but they need a few years to develop. So IMO if you can now find a couple of Import Linemen who have been good enough to start in the CFL and can now be a National it is like found money. Matt Nichols and MBT don't need to play behind rookie O Linemen learning how to pass block the veteran defensive linemen in this league. But we all have our opinions.


As i tried to point out: the Bummers just won the GC with a rookie 1st round draft pick and an undrafted FA starting on their O-line; and the Ticats have been a top team lately with young Canadian O-linemen (Revenberg, Ciraco) out of the draft starting sooner than later; i think a lot of people under estimate the calibre of young Canadian talent that smart CFL teams can reap and get production out of - and at a lot of positions. Lefebvre is a milti-year Q all-star at C (his "real" position - i.e. not a new position for him) and he learned under a Laval coaching staff that has produced a number of very good CFL hogs - he might be a quite able replacement for a departed McEwen, and he should be available still at # 11 or 20 or maybe even 28.

As far as NIs able to play for the Argos on D: Laing (would be a real tough loss if he leaves); Lokombo at OLB (or maybe safety but he's more of an OLB IMO); Woodson at D-half or corner; maybe Robbie Smith at DE (backed by a good draft pick) - but this is unlikely if Jefferson is signed + one of the new import DE signings shows lots; not sure if Gabriel is a write-off at safety, but i like his vet smarts plus he can also move up to OLB some, and they could also think of drafting a good safety prospect who could play right away or platoon perhaps; and if Bear Woods is listed as one of the new "Nationals", them Kwemo IMO has the talent to spell or back-him up quite capably.