Argos interested in Odell Willis

[Argonauter]

David Naylor has tweeted,

"The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are shopping defensive end Odell Willis. Saskatchewan, Toronto and possibly Edmonton believed to be interested."


Odell.jpg

[ArgoGabe22]

So much for that. Traded to the Riders for draft picks.

[Will]

Whatever happened to the notion that you don't trade one of your best players to your fiercest rival?

The Rider fans over on their board are all up in arms about this trade! Not pleased in the slightest.

[R.J]

Solid trade for the Bombers in getting the 8th and 23rd picks for Willis. Tamen never changes..... how long before he dismantles the Riders.

IMWT

[Argonauter]

Solid trade for the Bombers in getting the 8th and 23rd picks for Willis. Tamen never changes..... how long before he dismantles the Riders.

IMWT

Brendan Taman is an idiot who ruins teams Canadian talent and leaves their cupboards bare.

[gilthethrill]

Despite his attractive sack totals, I am glad he would up elsewhere. Odell "Offsides" Willis appears to be one dimensional. Winnipeg needed to get some Canadian content.

So, who becomes the new mayor of "Swaggerville"????

[KCargosfan]

I guess I'm in the minority here, the Peg should have gotten at least a 1st rounder for him. They were smart in at least they traded him to the West.

[ArgoGabe22]

I believe that it is technically a 1st rounder because Winnipeg forfeited it for Kito Poblah in the supplemental draft.

[KCargosfan]

I believe that it is technically a 1st rounder because Winnipeg forfeited it for Kito Poblah in the supplemental draft.

Good point. I guess if you told me you'd give me a top 3 pass rusher in the league for the #8 pick, I'd take it every time.

[Argocister]

Winnipeg now has 8,13,16,21,23 and 29 What are the chances they trade a couple for one of Edmontons 1st round picks.....and who do they want?

[RoRoYoBoat]

Trading Willis to an Eastern team would have been Joe's last choice.

[Area 51]

So, who becomes the new mayor of "Swaggerville"????

Where was the Mayor of Swaggerville during the week leading up to the Grey Cup? Crying about how he'd rather be at home and not at the Grey Cup. Nice leadership by the Mayor. This guy's as phoney as the moon landing.

I guess if you told me you'd give me a top 3 pass rusher in the league for the #8 pick, I'd take it every time.

You're living in a dream world if you think 1D Willis is a top three DE. That's like saying Phil Kessel is a top three forward - - he's third overall in goals scored, right? The typical Kessel game is one goal and a minus-3. How does that make the team better? Just like Willis he's one dimensional and hurts the team in more areas than he helps.

[Do or Die]

Not a real surprise, here:

The Riders certainly fill a glaring need...gaining some big pass rush potential. But, putting a steering wheel on OD's motor, repressing the penalties/blown contains, and eventually re-upping him.....are now...Rider problems.

The Bombers lost some big play potential....but will gain in consistency and attention to detail, on the D. They also already have a number of up-and-coming D-Linemen already, as well...

Bottom line....you had one GM, with the confidence to recruit import talent....making a deal with another GM....who perhaps did not.

[OV Argo]

Taman got hosed on this one IMO; sure, the Riders needed DE/pass rush help; but: they have a couple of good looking new DE prospects on the roster, plus Shomari Williams (and could have used the #8 or #23 pick on one of the impressive sounding DEs up in this draft to add to the mix); plus they coulda signed - for free - the recently cut Stevie Baggs (similar style DE to the over-rated Willis) - but I guess Taman is one of those typical GMs who has little faith / respect in his own recruting ability or the draft - so he gives up lots to acquire an over-rated, over-priced player = panic move, IMO.

We shall see though - maybe Willis has a great season to lead the Riders D; and maybe the draft picks the Bombers got turn out of little use.

[KCargosfan]

You're living in a dream world if you think 1D Willis is a top three DE. That's like saying Phil Kessel is a top three forward - - he's third overall in goals scored, right? The typical Kessel game is one goal and a minus-3. How does that make the team better? Just like Willis he's one dimensional and hurts the team in more areas than he helps.

Dream world rocks!

I had to look up who Phil Kessel was because I'm not a hockey fan (living in Kansas City doesn't make one follow hockey), so that analogy didn't make any sense the first time I read it.

I'll still take Willis for the No. 8 pick.

[gilthethrill]

Dream world rocks!

I had to look up who Phil Kessel was because I'm not a hockey fan (living in Kansas City doesn't make one follow hockey), so that analogy didn't make any sense the first time I read it.

I'll still take Willis for the No. 8 pick.

Phil Kessel's dad actually was an NFL qb....

[OV Argo]

Dream world rocks!

I had to look up who Phil Kessel was because I'm not a hockey fan (living in Kansas City doesn't make one follow hockey), so that analogy didn't make any sense the first time I read it.

I'll still take Willis for the No. 8 pick.

I certainly wouldn't take Willis for the #8 pick; but then again I ain't a CFL GM who has little use for top Canadian talent that is available in the draft; and again - the Riders have tons of other options available for TC to compete at DE - including a couple of newer guys on the roster with nice (ex-NFL) resumes, a couple of current roster guys, and the upcoming draft (with some good DE prospects). It's not like getting Willis was akin to getting Cam Wake or Joe Montford, or Brent Johnson or Ricky Foley in their CFL primes - he, IMO, traded for an over-rated DE - who has some pass rush skills though - lets see how much he helps the Riders D.

[ArgoRavi]

Phil Kessel's dad actually was an NFL qb....

And a CFL quarterback with Calgary too.

[KCargosfan]

Phil Kessel's dad actually was an NFL qb....

Interesting.

I certainly wouldn't take Willis for the #8 pick; but then again I ain't a CFL GM who has little use for top Canadian talent that is available in the draft; and again - the Riders have tons of other options available for TC to compete at DE - including a couple of newer guys on the roster with nice (ex-NFL) resumes, a couple of current roster guys, and the upcoming draft (with some good DE prospects). It's not like getting Willis was akin to getting Cam Wake or Joe Montford, or Brent Johnson or Ricky Foley in their CFL primes - he, IMO, traded for an over-rated DE - who has some pass rush skills though - lets see how much he helps the Riders D.

I'm guessing the Riders are desperate to have a good season after last year's disaster, therefore he is focused completely on the short-term. It's likely the No. 8 pick wouldn't have as big an impact this season as Willis. Time will tell. Willis may suck this year and the No. 8 pick may turn out to be the next Johnson or Foley, or the No. 8 pick may never amount to much and Willis could have another all-star year.

[argolio]

You're living in a dream world if you think 1D Willis is a top three DE. That's like saying Phil Kessel is a top three forward - - he's third overall in goals scored, right? The typical Kessel game is one goal and a minus-3. How does that make the team better? Just like Willis he's one dimensional and hurts the team in more areas than he helps.

If you want to pick out individual stats, Stamkos has 14 more goals than Kessel. How has he made his (also non-playoff) team better?


Pretty steep price paid by the Riders. Glad the Argos didn't match it or beat it.