Jim Barker believes in his veteran players. That’s the messaging the Toronto Argonauts GM wants to get across when CFL Free Agency opens Tuesday morning.
“My philosophy is that in free agency, you don’t build a team there,” said Barker. “You can plug a hole here or there, but my focus is always on re-signing our own players and then augmenting where we need help.”
Known for his conservative approach to free agency, Barker says he’ll continue to focus on his “ground up” strategy that has allowed the Argos to bring in and develop talents like Trevor Harris and Anthony Coombs in recent years.
“I think I have the best scouting staff in the league and I rely on them a lot. You win championships by building from the ground up,” said Barker, who helped the Double Blue to a 2012 Grey Cup win by acquiring All-Star quarterback Ricky Ray from the Edmonton Eskimos.
It’s safe to say that Barker’s philosophy has paid off well in Toronto, with a talented corps of veteran players and a strong Canadian presence that he says is among the top in the league.
“I think I have the best scouting staff in the league and I rely on them a lot. You win championships by building from the ground up”
Take sophomore Anthony Coombs, the Argos first-round pick (third overall) in 2014’s CFL Draft, for example. The running back thrived under the tutelage of veteran Andre Durie and proved a venerable duel threat, picking up 700 receiving yards on 79 catches in 2015.
“Andre has been a great pro and really helped in Anthony’s development,” said Barker. When you have a veteran like that you can bring in a young guy and develop him at a steady pace.”
Trevor Harris is another strong example. The fourth-year pivot went on an absolute tear when he stepped in for the injured Ricky Ray, racking up 4,354 yards and 33 touchdowns, good enough for third in the league behind Henry Burris and Bo Levi-Mitchell.
“Having veteran players allows us to bring younger players up and grow them,” said Barker. “Trevor hardly played at all but he was here watching and learning under Ricky and when he got his chance he did great.”
READ: Who topped the list of the Argos’ sophomores to watch in 2016?
Come Tuesday, expect the Argos to continue to focus on re-signing and maintaining their veterans and up-and-comers. For Barker, keeping those leaders is always the biggest challenge, and that seems evident in the wealth and scope of this year’s free agent pool.
“I think you’re seeing almost double the number of free agents now,” he said. “It makes keeping your veteran corps that much more important.”
With the upcoming 104th Grey Cup on home turf, Barker has every intention to win now. But he won’t make any rash decisions come free agency.
“You win championships from the ground up.”