Folarin Orimolade for Cam Judge

[AngeloV]

I think this is a sign that McManus is not coming back.

But, are either Varga or Judge natural fits at MIKE?

I think Judge’s game is similar to McManis. I never saw McManis as a natural MLB either.
This move also improves what is already the best Canadian talent in the league.

[AngeloV]

Marty York is reporting Murphy (who I guess is still involved if true) is telling players they need to accept pay cuts. Players are not happy. Maybe hence the exodus/trades.

How does Marty have the time to research this? His life seeems dedicated to trolling rhe Jays and Raptors. Of course, I think he just copies and pastes all his posts on twitter. Sound familiar?

[paulwoods13]

I think Judge’s game is similar to McManis. I never saw McManis as a natural MLB either.
This move also improves what is already the best Canadian talent in the league.

Whether or not McManis is a natural Mike, he's the best defensive player in the league IMO. Losing him would be a huge blow. Let's hope the "plan" includes bringing him back. But guys like him want and often get huge deals from other teams.

[OV Argo]

Bizzarr-o - this collection of Canadian LB talent - UNLESS they really plan to start Nationals at both MLB & W-OLB (the winner of TC competition between Varga & Cassar at MLB; Judge backed by Sopik at W-OLB, with a bunch of other guys available for back-ups and ST duty)

Can't see any way they would trade for both Varga and now Judge and have McManis in the plans as well ... UNLESS they were thinking of going to a real 3-4 base D.

And true or old style MLBs seem to be closing in on a thing of the past in the CFL now (IMO); McManis, Thurman, Adam Bighill = all more better suited to W-OLB where they started out in the league (though McManis was sure fine as Argo MLB last season - that i hinted might prove to be the case before the season last year).

[ArgoRavi]

I think Judge’s game is similar to McManis. I never saw McManis as a natural MLB either.
This move also improves what is already the best Canadian talent in the league.

Whether or not McManis is a natural Mike, he's the best defensive player in the league IMO. Losing him would be a huge blow. Let's hope the "plan" includes bringing him back. But guys like him want and often get huge deals from other teams.

I feel like it's McManis' leadership skills that would be missed as much as his strong play on the field. I truly hope that the Argos don't lose him and I sure hope that it isn't to Hamilton, if they do.

Orimolade is also an excellent leader, by all accounts, but I do see the logic behind this trade. When the Argos signed him prior to 2023, I think that they believed he was close to becoming THE dominant pass rusher in the CFL. While he played at a high level over the past two years, I think that they made the determination that they overpaid him for what he produced. He was still under contract for 2025, right? If so, perhaps they asked him to take a pay cut and he balked.

[AngeloV]

I think Judge’s game is similar to McManis. I never saw McManis as a natural MLB either.
This move also improves what is already the best Canadian talent in the league.

Whether or not McManis is a natural Mike, he's the best defensive player in the league IMO. Losing him would be a huge blow. Let's hope the "plan" includes bringing him back. But guys like him want and often get huge deals from other teams.

Not saying it won’t be a drop off. Just saying I think he can play in the middle and play well. It would be a decent replacement if the Argos use the same defensive system

[AngeloV]

I feel like it's McManis' leadership skills that would be missed as much as his strong play on the field. I truly hope that the Argos don't lose him and I sure hope that it isn't to Hamilton, if they do.

Orimolade is also an excellent leader, by all accounts, but I do see the logic behind this trade. When the Argos signed him prior to 2023, I think that they believed he was close to becoming THE dominant pass rusher in the CFL. While he played at a high level over the past two years, I think that they made the determination that they overpaid him for what he produced. He was still under contract for 2025, right? If so, perhaps they asked him to take a pay cut and he balked.

I agree with all of this.

[ARGO57]

I think Judge’s game is similar to McManis. I never saw McManis as a natural MLB either.
This move also improves what is already the best Canadian talent in the league.

Whether or not McManis is a natural Mike, he's the best defensive player in the league IMO. Losing him would be a huge blow. Let's hope the "plan" includes bringing him back. But guys like him want and often get huge deals from other teams.

I feel like it's McManis' leadership skills that would be missed as much as his strong play on the field. I truly hope that the Argos don't lose him and I sure hope that it isn't to Hamilton, if they do.

Orimolade is also an excellent leader, by all accounts, but I do see the logic behind this trade. When the Argos signed him prior to 2023, I think that they believed he was close to becoming THE dominant pass rusher in the CFL. While he played at a high level over the past two years, I think that they made the determination that they overpaid him for what he produced. He was still under contract for 2025, right? If so, perhaps they asked him to take a pay cut and he balked.

Pretty well said Ravi.
I also suspect the Tiger Cats will pursue McManis aggressively considering he is very familiar with their new DC and several ex Argos who now play in Hamilton.

[ArgoGabe22]

Marty York is reporting Murphy (who I guess is still involved if true) is telling players they need to accept pay cuts. Players are not happy. Maybe hence the exodus/trades.

...and you believe Marty York?

This isn't 1985.

Not really but it is plausible some asked to do so and won’t take pay cuts. 23 players (as reported by York) seems excessive. I wouldn’t be surprised if York is just taking an educated guess but aren’t we all??!

[RichK]

I think FLO was worth every penny we were paying him. IMO his value to the D wasn’t accurately reflected in the stats. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a DE run stunts as often as he did. His incredible and sometimes unconventional pressures led directly to several sacks by his teammates. Plus he seemed to play his best when the game was on the line: see, the ESF.

If we don’t sign McManus after this move I’d call it a major failure by the brain trust.