It was a busy opening to CFL Free Agency for GM Jim Barker and his staff. The Argos were quick to acquire a plethora of quality Canadian talent, specifically on both sides of the line, giving Coach Milanovich some flexibility to slot in a few more international players on defence or at skill positions. While the roster won’t be finalized until June, these recent additions are an encouraging sign as the team embarks on a journey to the 104th Grey Cup at BMO Field.
Let’s take a glance at the newest members of the Double Blue
OL – Josh Bourke
Barker added some serious muscle in front of Ricky Ray on Day 1 of Free Agency, signing left tackle and seven-time East Division All-Star Josh Bourke. The move reunites Bourke with Argos Head Coach Scott Milanovich, who at one point was his offensive coordinator in Montreal. He’s also a ratio-buster, as the Windsor native gives the Argos some more flexibility to start an international player elsewhere. With Corey Watman and 2015 draft pick Sean McEwen also in the mix, there’s potential for Toronto to start an entirely Canadian offensive line in 2016.
K/P – Lirim Hajrullahu
Hajrullahu returns to his Ontario roots where he made a name for himself as the highest-scoring kicker in CIS history with the Western Mustangs. He comes to the Argos after spending his first two pro seasons in Winnipeg, where he was the West Division nominee for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2014. With Swayze Waters now wearing a Carolina Panther uniform, all three kicking duties are Hajrullahu’s to lose. As a Canadian, he gives coach Milanovich added ratio flexibility. For those wondering, it’s pronounced “Hi-rule-ah-hu.”
DL – Brian Bulcke
Bulcke brings toughness, leadership and a Canadian passport to the defensive line, all of which will prove valuable in 2016. He joins the Double Blue after spending the previous three seasons with the rival Hamilton Tiger-Cats, where he missed the majority of the last two because of bicep and knee injuries. At 6-4 and 281 pounds, Bulcke is an absolute force at defensive tackle, clogging up the lane and allowing the rush-end to get free. 2013 was his breakout campaign, setting career highs in tackles (24), sacks (3) and fumble recoveries (3). He was nominated as the team’s Most Outstanding Canadian and Defensive Player, to boot. GM Jim Barker says he’ll be a big help in the development of 2015 draft pick Daryl Waud. A Toronto native, Bulcke’s addition helps make up for the loss of Canadian DL Cleyon Laing, who recently signed with the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.
DB – Keon Raymond
Toronto’s defensive secondary was talented but relatively inexperienced in 2015, as starters AJ Jefferson, Travis Hawkins, Akwasi Owusu-Ansah and Devin Smith were all CFL rookies. Free safety Jermaine Gabriel, who missed six games due to injury, was only in his third season. With the addition of Keon Raymond, an 8-year CFL veteran, the Argos add an experienced playmaker with two Grey Cup rings. He tallied a franchise-record seven regular season defensive touchdowns during his time with the Stampeders and will once again work under defensive coordinator Rich Stubler. Stubler, a renowned football strategist, orchestrated one of the league’s top defences during his time in Calgary.
DL – Bryan Hall
A big body and a big personality, Bryan Hall is another welcomed addition to the defensive line. At 6-foot-1 and 295-pounds, Hall was an immovable object on Hamilton’s elite defence and will be in the running to replace 2015 starter Euclid Cummings at defensive tackle, who recently signed in Winnipeg. Set to enter his third CFL season, Hall had three sacks, 38 tackles and a forced fumble in 15 games with the Ticats in 2015. Prior to coming to Hamilton, Hall was a member of the Super Bowl XLVII-winning Baltimore Ravens. It’s worth noting he’s also known as one of the funniest players in the CFL, so he’ll be sure to fit right in with his new teammates.
DB- Jerald Brown
Brown joins the Argonauts in 2016 for his eighth CFL season, having spent the last seven seasons with the Montreal Alouettes. In 102 career regular season games, 95 of which he started, the 5-11, 185-pound native of Washington, DC has registered 279 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, 18 interceptions, seven fumble recoveries and 19 pass knockdowns with the Als. The 2013 CFL All-Star and three-time East Division All-Star helped the Alouettes to back-to-back Grey Cup Championships in 2009 and 2010.
OL – Corey Watman
As versatile as he is tenacious, the 6-foot-2, 294-pound Watman plays multiple positions on the offensive line, including centre. Born and raised in the Greater Toronto Area, Barker has signed yet another ratio-breaker at his position. With both Watman and Greg Van Roten under contract, the Argos will have plenty of flexibility to slot players in at multiple positions up front. He also grew up cheering for the Argonauts, so signing with Toronto after three years in Riderville will be a homecoming for the Queensville native. Barker expects Watman to become a mainstay on the O-Line.
DL – Justin Hickman
The Argonauts acted quickly to find a replacement for Tristan Okpalaugo, who recently signed with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, signing former CFL All-Star Justin Hickman. Hickman, a 6-2, 265-pound native of El Paso, Texas comes to Toronto after spending a total of five CFL seasons (2009-11& 2014-15) with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The 30-year-old spent two seasons (2012-13) with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts before returning to the CFL for his second stint with the Ticats in 2014. The 2011 CFL and East Division All-Star led Ticats with eight sacks and ranked second among Ticats defensive lineman in tackles (28). With Hickman, Bryan Hall and Brian Bulcke now all under contract, it’s a Ticat reunion of some sort on the Argonauts defensive line.