OV Argo wrote: ↑Tue Jan 27, 2026 6:54 pm
New O-line coach Picard = going to be interesting to see his influence and decisions, and the play of the unit as a whole.
IF he is told to follow GOB pencilling-in procedure and be forced to go with 2 import OTs (i'll bet that is the thinking, just because), that would leave, for the interior - Hunter, Shepley & Nicastro (the first 2 about the highest paid O-linemen in the league (?) - maybe a great trio; and that leaves a whole slew of former draft picks - Bosse, Dankwah, Doxtater, Vandal, Giffen, Coakes - to fight for the 2 depth jobs ? Nice to have lots of competition for TC and depth at all positions.
I would expect Dankwah to compete at tackle. As Paul suggests, Doxtater may end up competing at tackle as well.
To answer your previous question, it took a little more than a year for Hunter to become the highest paid OL in the league.
Doxtater & Dankwah getting serious TC reps to compete for a starting OT job ? - we shall see, and again, be interesting to see what new O-line coach Picard thinks.
It would IMO make very good sense for one of your back-up O-linemen to have the versatility & skills to fill in at both OT and interior O-line; pretty well all of the guys on that list played OT in college ball.
SO, Shepley would be ahead of Hunter in rising to top of the class in O-lineman pay-day then; he did kick around the NFL a bit longer; plus he played Canadian ball at UBC.
DL Paris Shand has signed with the UFL's Columbus Aviators. According to TSN's Coty Wiles, Shand has had just one NFL workout (Cleveland) since being released by the Bills last summer. If he joins the Argos, it won't be until the summer at the earliest.
Shand's agent has probably convinced him that the UFL is a quicker route to the NFL. If he doesn't impress in the UFL he wont increase his bargaining position with the Argos.
OV Argo wrote: ↑Tue Jan 27, 2026 6:54 pm
New O-line coach Picard = going to be interesting to see his influence and decisions, and the play of the unit as a whole.
IF he is told to follow GOB pencilling-in procedure and be forced to go with 2 import OTs (i'll bet that is the thinking, just because), that would leave, for the interior - Hunter, Shepley & Nicastro (the first 2 about the highest paid O-linemen in the league (?) - maybe a great trio; and that leaves a whole slew of former draft picks - Bosse, Dankwah, Doxtater, Vandal, Giffen, Coakes - to fight for the 2 depth jobs ? Nice to have lots of competition for TC and depth at all positions.
I agree we have the depth and the top level talent to go all Canadian on the o-line. Between Shepley, Hunter, Dankwah and Doxtater there’s surely two top level CFL starting OTs.
2025 was a bit of a disaster for Ryan Hunter. He had a slow start, and he may or may not have had weight problems and a possible clash with the HC. And of course his ridiculous traffic accident in the summer, a 280 pound man (and the team’s second or third -most expensive asset) getting schmucked by a truck on his way to practice while riding an electric scooter (!?) Even though he played better when he returned, he was not likely back to 100% yet. I expect him to rebound big time in 26.
ArgoRavi wrote: ↑Tue Jan 27, 2026 11:29 pm
DL Paris Shand has signed with the UFL's Columbus Aviators. According to TSN's Coty Wiles, Shand has had just one NFL workout (Cleveland) since being released by the Bills last summer. If he joins the Argos, it won't be until the summer at the earliest.
This is unexpected, disappointing news. I am going to respectfully disagree with you Ravi. Shand still has to earn a roster spot. Season starts in March, so.if he either gets cut, or likely requests his release like many other players, he.could be in TC. I also find it interesting that QB Taylor Elgersma was drafted by Birmingham. He is still trying to line up NFL workouts & hasn't signed with the Stallions, yet they have him listed on the team roster for some reason.
Jim Barker was on the RP.Show Friday. Check out what one.NFL executive told him about the UFL.
RichK wrote: ↑Wed Jan 28, 2026 2:41 amI agree we have the depth and the top level talent to go all Canadian on the o-line. Between Shepley, Hunter, Dankwah and Doxtater there’s surely two top level CFL starting OTs.
2025 was a bit of a disaster for Ryan Hunter. He had a slow start, and he may or may not have had weight problems and a possible clash with the HC. And of course his ridiculous traffic accident in the summer, a 280 pound man (and the team’s second or third -most expensive asset) getting schmucked by a truck on his way to practice while riding an electric scooter (!?) Even though he played better when he returned, he was not likely back to 100% yet. I expect him to rebound big time in 26.
I'm less bullish than you are on the o-line depth and talent. Hunter and Vandal had major regressions last year. Doxtater was up and down, but showed good potential. Dankwah has virtually no CFL experience -- great size, but we've seen others with great size who didn't develop into players. Giffen is a pending free agent who I doubt will sign back with Toronto (and he showed only brief flashes in four injury-filled seasons). Nicastro is obviously outstanding, and there's potential and/or past performance to hope for elsewhere. But going with five NATs on the line seems highly unlikely. IMO we need one stud INT.
OV Argo wrote: ↑Tue Jan 27, 2026 6:54 pm
New O-line coach Picard = going to be interesting to see his influence and decisions, and the play of the unit as a whole.
IF he is told to follow GOB pencilling-in procedure and be forced to go with 2 import OTs (i'll bet that is the thinking, just because), that would leave, for the interior - Hunter, Shepley & Nicastro (the first 2 about the highest paid O-linemen in the league (?) - maybe a great trio; and that leaves a whole slew of former draft picks - Bosse, Dankwah, Doxtater, Vandal, Giffen, Coakes - to fight for the 2 depth jobs ? Nice to have lots of competition for TC and depth at all positions.
I agree we have the depth and the top level talent to go all Canadian on the o-line. Between Shepley, Hunter, Dankwah and Doxtater there’s surely two top level CFL starting OTs.
2025 was a bit of a disaster for Ryan Hunter. He had a slow start, and he may or may not have had weight problems and a possible clash with the HC. And of course his ridiculous traffic accident in the summer, a 280 pound man (and the team’s second or third -most expensive asset) getting schmucked by a truck on his way to practice while riding an electric scooter (!?) Even though he played better when he returned, he was not likely back to 100% yet. I expect him to rebound big time in 26.
The talent might be there Rich, but if it's GOB pencilled-in thinking with regards to the OT jobs it won't matter - there won't be real TC competition, if they decide the jobs are reserved for 2 imports, and they can easily find those, regardless if they did not grade out better than Dankwah, or Doxtater or Shepley at OT.
Again - I'm hoping new O-line coach Picard can show some real smarts to mold a much better unit than the problematic one of last season.
