Hogan: Fitting the Pieces Together

[Will]

https://www.argonauts.ca/2025/05/14/hog ... -together/

[primetime321]

A good opening article with the strongest position group on the team, IMO. Lots of quality, experience and flexibility. I expect the O-line to be at least in the top 2 or 3 in the league, if not the best once again.

I am awaiting Hoagie's article on the D-line, which is the biggest unknown on the team to be sure with all of the losses to free agency and the trade of Orimolade to Calgary.

[OV Argo]

Now add former draft pick Anim Dankwah to the O-line mix = quite the collection of Canadian O-line talent. Dankwah, like Doxtater & Bosse, is a huge, experienced at, OT type. Are these guys going to be getting shots to play OT (taking plenty of reps there)?, or maybe converted to interior? And where does Hunter end up playing? - already got Ciraco, Nicastro, Giffen and Vandal for the interior. Nice to have the competition and options, but you also can't carry that many guys on the roster (i guess they could do IR stashing?). An all Canadian O-line would be a possibility.

[paulwoods13]

With reports that Doxtator and Vandal played guard with the starting unit at the scrimmage (with Hunter at RT), I wouldn't be surprised to see Ciraco packaged off to Saskatchewan, which has lost two projected NAT starters (from an already thin group) to injury. The fact he dressed for only a couple of games last season, and barely set foot on the field in those, would seem to suggest he might be deemed expendable. MacKellar's departure decreased the interior depth, and it would be risky to rely on rookies for both backup spots as well as a couple of starting spots, potentially. But might happen.

[ARGO57]

With reports that Doxtator and Vandal played guard with the starting unit at the scrimmage (with Hunter at RT), I wouldn't be surprised to see Ciraco packaged off to Saskatchewan, which has lost two projected NAT starters (from an already thin group) to injury. The fact he dressed for only a couple of games last season, and barely set foot on the field in those, would seem to suggest he might be deemed expendable. MacKellar's departure decreased the interior depth, and it would be risky to rely on rookies for both backup spots as well as a couple of starting spots, potentially. But might happen.

The concern with this scenario is Doxtator has yet to prove he can stay healthy for any length of time.

[shatto]

The starting OL at the scrimmage was Moore (LT), Hunter (RT), Doxtater (LG), Vandal (RG) and Ciraco (C). That leaves 4 Canadian OL players to be accounted for--Nicastro, Giffen, Bosse and Dankwah. That does not include Kharia, Pyle or the injured Coakes, all of whom may return to U Sport football if they have eligibility left.

Can all 8 Canadian OL players be protected? If one or two are placed on the Practice Roster they would be fair game for a team needing OL players. As Paul has pointed out, Saskatchewan is in a somewhat desperate need for starting OL players.

So do we see a deal being made and what would the Argos demand for Ciraco or even Nicastro? It seems like a logical move by both teams but then again logic doesn't always play into all CFL decisions.

[OV Argo]

The starting OL at the scrimmage was Moore (LT), Hunter (RT), Doxtater (LG), Vandal (RG) and Ciraco (C). That leaves 4 Canadian OL players to be accounted for--Nicastro, Giffen, Bosse and Dankwah. That does not include Kharia, Pyle or the injured Coakes, all of whom may return to U Sport football if they have eligibility left.

Can all 8 Canadian OL players be protected? If one or two are placed on the Practice Roster they would be fair game for a team needing OL players. As Paul has pointed out, Saskatchewan is in a somewhat desperate need for starting OL players.

So do we see a deal being made and what would the Argos demand for Ciraco or even Nicastro? It seems like a logical move by both teams but then again logic doesn't always play into all CFL decisions.

IF there was a deal to be made with the Riders for an Argo O-lineman, the Riders do have 3 Canadian safeties (Dalke, Lokombo & Ford) with CFL experience; Dalke was a former starter, but lost his job last season with maybe lack of speed a concern; he is more of an old school, big hitter type S; Lokombo started last year plenty but not sure they are sold on him there; Ford was a good safety in U Sports ball and was an athletic tester at the CFL Combine. Maybe I'm wrong and the Argos are quite set at safety now, but seems to me an area of concern with nobody with real safety experience in their mix.

CFL "logic" - what, concern there?

[gilthethrill]

I don't know if the Argos would trade for a Canadian S when they easily could have drafted one in the recent Amateur Draft.

[OV Argo]

I don't know if the Argos would trade for a Canadian S when they easily could have drafted one in the recent Amateur Draft.

Their last round pick - D. Masuka (McMaster) - may be viewed as a future safety prospect.

CFL thinking often does not view the draft as a means to address immediate needs.

[Will]

I don't know if the Argos would trade for a Canadian S when they easily could have drafted one in the recent Amateur Draft.

Unless they want to see if one with a bit more experience becomes available? I know that Tyshon Blackburn showed some very nice potential last year, but my thought process was to try and keep Metchie around for another year and then hand the reins to Blackburn in 2026. The Elks presumably backed up a Brinks truck at Metchie's door so that plan became moot.