Kerry Joseph joined the Argos in March of 2008.

BY ARASH MADANI
sportsnet.ca

Kerry Joseph, the CFL's most outstanding player in 2007, has been released by the Toronto Argonauts, sources told Sportsnet.ca.

The departure of the veteran quarterback is part of an Argonaut roster rehaul under new head coach Jim Barker.

In addition to Joseph, backup pivot Cody Pickett is also gone. The team lost return specialist Dominique Dorsey to Saskatchewan and is likely to lose free agent Jamal Robertson after informing the running back he would not be given any signing bonus money in a contract offer.

The Argos are expected to announce Monday that Joseph and Pickett have been cut.

Toronto traded for Joseph from Saskatchewan in March of 2008 after the Louisiana native led the Roughriders to a Grey Cup title. Joseph remained patient during two lean years with the Argos, which included three different head coaches and an ownership shuffle. He and Pickett split duties last season during the one and only Bart Andrus campaign, which ended with a 3-15 mark.

Barker, the fourth Argos coach since the start of the 2008 season, is expected to go younger at quarterback. He is presently without one on his depth chart, although receiver Reggie McNeal has been the Argos' No. 3 in the past and played the position in college. Joseph is 36, Pickett, 29.

The only notable free agent quarterback on the market is Steven Jyles, who is negotiating with Winnipeg. Alouettes backup Adrian McPherson has gone public saying he is hoping to be a full-time starter.

The Argonauts also have interest in Gibran Hamdan, the former Buffalo Bills quarterback, who was released late last season. The versatile pivot is exploring his NFL options, but Toronto's scouting staff is said to be enamoured with the 29-year-old University of Indiana product.