Argofans

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2026 8:21 pm

gilthethrill wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2026 7:57 pm Apparantly OT Sage Doxtator has been released.

He better not surface elsewhere in the CFL.

I think it's safe to say that he will, but it's another thing if he actually develops. See Mark Mroz.

ArgoRavi wrote: ↑Tue Mar 10, 2026 12:37 am

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2026 8:21 pm

gilthethrill wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2026 7:57 pm Apparantly OT Sage Doxtator has been released.

He better not surface elsewhere in the CFL.

I would be surprised if he didn't. The only issue that would prevent that is injuries and he has had his share of those.

Giving away a former high draft choice for nothing, when it isn't clear whether or not he's a legit player, would be terrible asset management IMO. If he's good enough to be valued by other teams, either trade him or keep him through camp and see how things unfold there.

shatto wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2026 10:54 pm It should also be noted, they still have Dankwah, Vandal, Bosse and Coakes under contract.

Dankwah: prospect who looks enticing but has barely played a down in the CFL.
Coakes: prospect who has never played in the CFL.
Vandal: former starter who appeared to regress big-time last season.
Bosse: utter disaster every time he played last year.

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 10, 2026 7:21 am

ArgoRavi wrote: ↑Tue Mar 10, 2026 12:37 am

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2026 8:21 pm

He better not surface elsewhere in the CFL.

I would be surprised if he didn't. The only issue that would prevent that is injuries and he has had his share of those.

Giving away a former high draft choice for nothing, when it isn't clear whether or not he's a legit player, would be terrible asset management IMO. If he's good enough to be valued by other teams, either trade him or keep him through camp and see how things unfold there.

I would imagine the Argos tried to trade him but there were no takers. Thus, he was released.
Having said that, I want to take this opportunity to thank Doxtator for his contributions and wish him well in his future endeavors.

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 10, 2026 7:21 am

ArgoRavi wrote: ↑Tue Mar 10, 2026 12:37 am

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2026 8:21 pm

He better not surface elsewhere in the CFL.

I would be surprised if he didn't. The only issue that would prevent that is injuries and he has had his share of those.

Giving away a former high draft choice for nothing, when it isn't clear whether or not he's a legit player, would be terrible asset management IMO. If he's good enough to be valued by other teams, either trade him or keep him through camp and see how things unfold there.

Maybe not a good look, but he was drafted by a former Argo regime. Maybe Doxtator was making quite bit more coin than some other guys who are likely to be back-ups (?) and when the team is already paying large for Hunter & Shepley.

Meanwhile - you win some / you lose some - the Argo D has added 2 former top 5 draft picks for free (agents) this off-season in Makonzo and Kongbo.

Good analysis by Paul of present OL players who might be backups this year. Vandal is an interesting case. He played very well in 2024. Normally a drop in an athlete's performance is one of, or a combination of --age ( not likely he is only 28), injury, motivation or even coaching. Hopefully, like Hunter, we shall see a return of form by Vandal this season. . Did say--hopefully!

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 10, 2026 7:21 am

ArgoRavi wrote: ↑Tue Mar 10, 2026 12:37 am

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2026 8:21 pm

He better not surface elsewhere in the CFL.

I would be surprised if he didn't. The only issue that would prevent that is injuries and he has had his share of those.

Giving away a former high draft choice for nothing, when it isn't clear whether or not he's a legit player, would be terrible asset management IMO. If he's good enough to be valued by other teams, either trade him or keep him through camp and see how things unfold there.

Apparently it is clear to the new Argo regime that Doxtator won’t pan out in Toronto.
Staying healthy and available has always been Doxtators issue.

shatto wrote: ↑Tue Mar 10, 2026 1:47 pm Good analysis by Paul of present OL players who might be backups this year. Vandal is an interesting case. He played very well in 2024. Normally a drop in an athlete's performance is one of, or a combination of --age ( not likely he is only 28), injury, motivation or even coaching. Hopefully, like Hunter, we shall see a return of form by Vandal this season. . Did say--hopefully!

Vandal, like MacKellar, or Bosse, or Dankwah or Doxtator were college ball offensive tackles who got converted to interior O-linemen by CFL good old thinking - i.e. Canadian O-linemen aren't good enough to play OT; we prefer Americans there; , so let's convert college ball OTs to guards if we want to play Canadians there. Sometimes this can pan-out well - lots of examples; but other times not so well - long arm OTs used to / suited to dealing with outside pass rushers and different run block assignments are not always going to be able to transition to interior O-line.

Might be a leap of understanding for some CFL scouts, GMs and coaches to get that if you want to find some very good interior O-linemen, then maybe you draft or sign guys who had demonstrated exactly that in college ball play (or known FAs with CFL experience).

This draft likely features a few of such accomplished interior O-linemen (top rated Taylor going to the NFL almost for sure; but all-Canadian OGs like A. Diouff (Carabins) or Vaccaro (Manitoba / Purdue) will be available and little (?) NFL flight risk. Again, IMO, the Argos have much more pressing draft needs to go to with their first few picks, but if they do decide to go O-line, please draft a proven interior guy if that's where you plan to play them.

Perhaps my memory is faulty but I am pretty sure Bosse's worst performance(s) last year were at tackle. And I think Dakwah's brief playing time was also at tackle.

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 10, 2026 7:01 pm Perhaps my memory is faulty but I am pretty sure Bosse's worst performance(s) last year were at tackle. And I think Dakwah's brief playing time was also at tackle.

OT was a big issue all of last season mostly, no; including trying a young import guy (Ergle ?) who was terrible, and Hunter went from very good guard to iffy OT; Bosse was listed as starter at OG in the Labour Day game; Doxtater started at OG a bunch of games; Vandal's & MacKellar's Argo O-line experience were at OG.