Argofans

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 16, 2024 9:29 pm

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 20, 2024 10:58 am We'll be better able to speculate when we see the list of prospective free agents, but I'm already worried about three guys: Polk, Mital and Holley. All are signed for next year, but I think all three will get NFL nibbles, at least.

Polk and Darkangelo getting looked at by Denver.

https://3downnation.com/2024/12/16/denv ... -work-out/

One we have yet to hear about, but I'm still expecting, is Mital.

There will be lots, dozens maybe, of CFL players getting NFL "work-outs", thanks to the CFL's "window" thingy; how many of these players get actual, real NFL TC try-outs is another matter. My bet is a tiny fraction.

Polk, or Darkangelo or Holley could I guess possibly make NFL rosters; they are hardly irreplaceable superstars who would decimate the Argos roster.

OV Argo wrote: ↑Mon Dec 16, 2024 11:38 pm

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 16, 2024 9:29 pm

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 20, 2024 10:58 am We'll be better able to speculate when we see the list of prospective free agents, but I'm already worried about three guys: Polk, Mital and Holley. All are signed for next year, but I think all three will get NFL nibbles, at least.

Polk and Darkangelo getting looked at by Denver.

https://3downnation.com/2024/12/16/denv ... -work-out/

One we have yet to hear about, but I'm still expecting, is Mital.

There will be lots, dozens maybe, of CFL players getting NFL "work-outs", thanks to the CFL's "window" thingy; how many of these players get actual, real NFL TC try-outs is another matter. My bet is a tiny fraction.

Polk, or Darkangelo or Holley could I guess possibly make NFL rosters; they are hardly irreplaceable superstars who would decimate the Argos roster.

I don't get worked up about these NFL workouts. Very few will get an NFL contract and fewer still will end up on an NFL roster.

OV Argo wrote: ↑Mon Dec 16, 2024 11:38 pm Polk, or Darkangelo or Holley could I guess possibly make NFL rosters; they are hardly irreplaceable superstars who would decimate the Argos roster.

That's true, of course, but there are positional vulnerabilities between the FA pool and the NFL window. If Argos were to lose Polk and Mital to NFL camps, and Coxie to FA, that would downgrade the receiving corps from one of the league's deepest to one of the thinnest. Same at DT with Holley looking at NFL opps and both Brinkman and Ceresna potentially leaving as free agents. I don't expect to lose all six, and it's even possible Argos will keep them all but I think we will probably lose about three out of that group. We're fortunate that the football ops crew have been excellent at plugging in competent newbies each year, but it remains to be seen how much impact the loss of Magri and Russell will have in that regard.

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 17, 2024 10:40 am

OV Argo wrote: ↑Mon Dec 16, 2024 11:38 pm Polk, or Darkangelo or Holley could I guess possibly make NFL rosters; they are hardly irreplaceable superstars who would decimate the Argos roster.

That's true, of course, but there are positional vulnerabilities between the FA pool and the NFL window. If Argos were to lose Polk and Mital to NFL camps, and Coxie to FA, that would downgrade the receiving corps from one of the league's deepest to one of the thinnest. Same at DT with Holley looking at NFL opps and both Brinkman and Ceresna potentially leaving as free agents. I don't expect to lose all six, and it's even possible Argos will keep them all but I think we will probably lose about three out of that group. We're fortunate that the football ops crew have been excellent at plugging in competent newbies each year, but it remains to be seen how much impact the loss of Magri and Russell will have in that regard.

Sure, but that's a fact of life for all CFL teams now, no? Cursory NFL looks for some players every off-season; tons of free agents every off-season, so u can lose some but also sign some real good ones.

And I get players will want to max out on buck$, jumping at better offers in the lower money CFL, but a mark of a real good organization would be players wanting to stay with a strong & smart team (perhaps / IMO). Was annoying to see a good corner in Peters sign with the rival Pussycats last season - but how did that work out for ya pal? Argos players got play-off / GC bonus money and another ring, and you ended up hanging out with clowns like Scotty M & ego-Jones.

By my count the team lost 7 players to free agency and one to the NFL last year. All were replaced with players who performed very well in 2024. In some cases the replacements outperformed the players who left. IMO not as many players will leave this year ( I hope) and those that do will be adequately replaced.

OV Argo wrote: ↑Tue Dec 17, 2024 12:02 pm Sure, but that's a fact of life for all CFL teams now, no? Cursory NFL looks for some players every off-season; tons of free agents every off-season, so u can lose some but also sign some real good ones.

Yes, all teams are broadly speaking in the same boat. I'm concerned specifically about the Argo roster. No doubt there are other teams that are especially vulnerable at two position groups, and perhaps there are other teams facing the possibility of losing stars like Ceresna and Coxie as well as potential stars like Mital, Polk and Holley. But I'm choosing to focus on where the Argos might have to retool. Nothing wrong with that on an Argo forum, is there?

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 17, 2024 4:33 pm

OV Argo wrote: ↑Tue Dec 17, 2024 12:02 pm Sure, but that's a fact of life for all CFL teams now, no? Cursory NFL looks for some players every off-season; tons of free agents every off-season, so u can lose some but also sign some real good ones.

Yes, all teams are broadly speaking in the same boat. I'm concerned specifically about the Argo roster. No doubt there are other teams that are especially vulnerable at two position groups, and perhaps there are other teams facing the possibility of losing stars like Ceresna and Coxie as well as potential stars like Mital, Polk and Holley. But I'm choosing to focus on where the Argos might have to retool. Nothing wrong with that on an Argo forum, is there?

No, not at all - and I find the off-season roster moves & building and the draft a real interesting part of the entire year, till the play itself.

Note that the RedBlacks have signed two Canadian free agents (similar FAs to Kevin Brown in ending the season on a PR) - receivers Jeremy Murphy (former Bomber draft pick who has barely played for them) and undrafted last year, Darius Simmons (multiple Q all-star seasons); I wish the Argos had signed one of them, especially if they are concerned about losing one or more of Coxie, Polk & Mital. The RedBlacks also signed former Argo (10th overall pick) Dionte Knight who finished the season on the Ticats PR (i guess?), and brought back another O-Lineman - Cooper Hamilton (Laurier OUA all-star) who they had in TC last year. Might show somebody there is paying attention to Canadian talent for TC.

According to 3DN, Polk and Holley have each had five workouts (Holley is now up to six, actually) and Darkangelo has had one. Fortunately for us, it appears Mital has not had any. I find that surprising -- other than being a bit short, he seems like a potentially good slot receiver down there -- very athletic and also strong enough to block people.

https://3downnation.com/2025/01/05/ever ... offseason/

By my count, the Argos now have 7 Canadian interior LB types on the roster: vets Sopik, Cassar & Harelimana; recent draft picks Kwamou & Onyemenam; Junior ball star Stephen Smith (scooped from the Riders); and now Varga via the trade. I get that Varga is a very good young LB talent and they wanted to get good return for D. Allen, but a depth / ST linebacker seemed about the least area of need by position group (along with O-line, IMO).

No way all of them make the roster, unless 3 or 4 are stashed on IR or PR. Nice to have good ole Canadian "depth" and of course LBs make good ST players (coverage or blocking ability). We'll see if they aim higher though with defensive playing time in mind.

Polk has signed with Atlanta, apparently.