BY ISAAC OWUSU – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
It was Monday afternoon at 12:42pm exactly. My blackberry’s email notification chime went off, per usual, I went to quickly glimpse at the title, close it, and carry on with my day. Clearly, nothing could be so important that it’s emailed on a tedious Monday afternoon. Boy, was I wrong.
BREAKING: Eskimos trade Ricky Ray to Argos for Steven Jyles read the headline. In disbelief, I said out loud to myself “What, no way! Are you ******* kidding me?”, all the while laughing hysterically. Two things immediately crossed my mind, firstly, this has to be a joke, and the second thought, did they pass that ‘Be the Argos GM’ piece from last week to GM Jim Barker?
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The smoke has cleared. Acquiring quarterback Ricky Ray for quarterback Steven Jyles and kicker Grant Shaw, changes the outlook of the Argos in Toronto and amongst the league.
It is amazing how much of an impact one move makes for the franchise. Regardless of what the cost is, getting him is the perfect move for the Argos, as it addresses five of the eight concerns I had identified in my ‘Be the Argos GM piece’ which you can read in full here.
Here are the five concerns (bolded) and my thoughts on how the trade deals with the situation:
1. With Stephen Jyles now officially tabbed as “the guy” at pivot, are you convinced in his performance and potential, especially from last season? Do you bring in a veteran to compete with him (such as the rumoured Henry Burris)?
Though it appeared that the team was ready to move forward with the Steven Jyles experiment at quarterback by re-signing him last week, unfortunately, but frankly, he needs much more preparation time than the team and the fan base would want from a starting QB to make an impact. Rumours had Henry Burris coming in to challenge, and possibly mentor the young pivot.
Jyles is now an Eskimo, and Burris will not be an Argo, or at least I think I can say so confidently. The team has found their QB for right now, Ray will come in as the immediate starter and in terms of the future, its a “we’ll cross that bridge when we get there” approach, but he can help mentor Dalton Bell and B.J. Hall, the team’s backups.
2. Over the course of the season, GM and now ex-head coach Jim Barker spoke of needing a playmaker at receiver; ironically, the team recently cut their leader in receiving TDs, Brandon Rideau. How would you go about taking care of the receiver position?
This may not have been directly addressed, however, I believe that Barker and Milanovich feel that they saw with the larger concern at the QB position being addressed, there’s no longer a feel that receiver is a position much of concern. I wouldn’t be surprised if the team moves forward with Spencer Watt, Mike Bradwell, Chad Owens, Chad Rempel and Maurice Mann, but then again, who knows with the Argos.
3. On special teams, Noel Prefontaine is going into his 15th season in 2012, and coming off a great year, scoring 142 kicking points. However, there is the young and hungry Grant Shaw heading into his third season. How would you handle having two kickers at opposite ends of their careers considering the direction of the team for 2012?
Grant Shaw’s value is large, but by giving him away in the trade the team wants to avoid the burden of paying two solid kickers worth starting, meanwhile only fully utilizing one.
Keeping Prefontaine, shows that the team trusts the results that they have seen year after year, rather than Shaw’s potential. Jyles and Shaw for Ray is a steep price, but the team can afford it.
If you have seen Prefontaine play, you’d know he’s a better athlete than most kickers and can serve well for a team that utilizes many special teams trick plays, and he even serves as fourth string emergency QB.
4. With last season’s abysmal fan attendance, how would you bring the fans out to the Rogers Centre in 2012?
Bringing in a new coaching staff and an experienced starting quarterback brings promise to the fan base. Since news broke, it has been trending around the city. Toronto fans appreciate moves that bring their team any closer to success. It’s simply too hard to bring people into seats off a dream and potential. Ray in Toronto will bring the fans as they will want to see if the guy is as good as the team gave away for him.
5. Is this team close to being in position to contending next year? Or are they in need of rebuilding over a multiple seasons?
It’s no question that the team believes they are in position to win right now. Seeing the BC Lions win the championship at home weeks ago was definite motivation for Barker and Milanovich. Having the 100th Grey Cup in the Rogers Centre in 2012, is even more motivation strictly for a successful 2012. Rebuilding? More like reloading.
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