Toronto Argonauts linebacker Henoc Muamba (10) runs the ball against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats during first half CFL Eastern Conference final action in Toronto, on Sunday, December 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
It’s a date that’s always circled on the calendars of CFL fans.
This year, February 8 is when the league’s free agency period begins. It’s a chance for teams to load up on available talent, or simply fine tune a roster with the addition of a couple of players to provide an upgrade at a specific position or two.
For the Toronto Argonauts this year will in all likelihood be quieter than the past couple, at least in terms of volume. In both 2020 and 2021 the team was trying to overhaul a roster that had put together back to back 4-14 seasons. The heavy lifting in those two off seasons by the personnel department helped the team improve its record to 9-5 in 2021, finishing first the East Division and hosting the Eastern Final.
Sometimes a free agent signing pays off, while other times the player ends up landing with a bit of a thud. Argonauts.ca wondered what the last five seasons of free agency produced and presents this look back.
2021
There were just two signings of veteran CFL free agents when the window opened on February 9; quarterback Antonio Pipkin and running back John White. That didn’t mean the Argos were done, far from it. In the next couple of weeks, they signed CFL veteran linebacker Cameron Judge, along with defensive linemen Fabion Foote and Odell Willis. They also added several players without CFL experience including defensive linemen Shawn Oakman, Kony Ealy, and Dewayne Hendrix, along with receiver Damion Jeanpiere. In March, local linebacker Henoc Muamba boarded the Good Ship Argo.
2020
February 11 was an exceptionally busy day as the team looked to rework its roster after successive 4-14 seasons. Local receiver Juwan Brescacin was the first player signed, agreeing to terms almost immediately after the clock struck noon and teams were allowed to sign new players. Joining him in the next few hours were the likes of offensive linemen Dariusz Bladek and Philip Blake, receiver DaVaris Daniels, linebacker Nick Shortill, and defensive linemen Alex Bazzie, and Craig Roh. Also, the groundwork was laid for a trade with Montreal that brought kicker Boris Bede to Toronto. In the next few days defensive backs Crezdon Butler and Arjen Colquhoun, along with defensive tackle Drake Nevis signed with the Argos.
2019
A blizzard in Toronto on February 13 added to a very dramatic day as the club made a gigantic offer to Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, who opted to stay in Calgary. The Argos were still able to sign CFL veterans Shawn Lemon, Chris Rainey, Mercer Timmis, Kevin Fogg, Frank Beltre, Tobi Antigha, Tyrell Sutton and Cory “Poop” Johnson on day one. In the next few days the Argos were able to add Derel Walker, Micah Awe, and Ian Wild to the roster. Walker, Awe and Rainey were all on the short list of free agents the Argos had targeted.
2018
The Argos spent more time and money trying to keep the core of a Grey Cup championship team intact rather than bringing in new players. They re-signed potential free agents like quarterback Ricky Ray, receivers S.J. Green and Armanti Edwards, defensive tackle Cleyon Laing, linebacker Bear Woods, and defensive back Cassius Vaughan in the days leading up to February 13. Among those signed on or around the opening of free agency were defensive back Ronnie Yell, running back Greg Morris and linebacker Taylor Reed.
2017
It was appropriate that the free agency period would open on Valentine’s Day as Argo fans would love what happened at the end of the year. This was a unique situation because the Argos were between general managers, as Jim Popp was not hired until the end of February. On the first day the Argos would sign quarterback Jeff Mathews, defensive lineman Jeff Finley and defensive back Winston Venable. Other pieces of the Grey Cup puzzle, defensive backs Johnny Sears and Matt Webster, were acquired in the next few days, while defensive back Rico Murray and offensive lineman J’Micheal Deane each signed in March.
Will the Argos add several players, of just one or two? Will they make a big splash or simply add to an already impressive lineup? Those questions will begin to be answered on February 8, and you can follow the Argos on social media or go to Argonauts.ca to keep up with all the transactions.