Combine time

[OV Argo]

Starts this Friday and thru the weekend.

The CFL draft is an interestin' animal (IMO) - to see who / what positions CFL teams will address and their level of respect for new Canadian talent to come in and maybe be impact players. Always some weird, whacky or questionable picks it seems though. Combine testing #s are very important to some CFL thinkers.

Argos and their draft thinking this year? - have no real idea. But looking at the roster now and positions of need: no Canadian DTs on the roster now and this draft features at least 4 very good DT prospects (Newell, Martey, Saad, Ageli) and surely one of them will still be there for the Argos at #8; - be nice to have a talented National DT who can play reps in the rotation, but maybe they will be happy going all import there? After that - safety - with the loss of Metchie - maybe T. Blackburn gets a shot there with his year of CFL experience or maybe they go import, with a real experienced DB like C. Evans given a chance to see if he can be the guy; but neither are experienced safeties, and this draft features 2 all-Canadian accomplished safeties in Findlay (Western) & Beauchemin (Dinos) - one of them should still be there in the first round? Ideally, IMO, they could go whichever S in the first round and then still likely get one of the DTs in the 2nd round ? CFL drafting finesse is not often seen though IMO.

After that - no Canadian tailbacks on the roster now, so mid rounds maybe draft a talented guy who could fill Adebobye's role as a capable change of pace back in the mix for some real carries and be a strong ST guy (i like Western's explosive big back Yazbeck); then, maybe a receiver to add depth (lost Nield & Sindani); there are also a number of strong DE prospects this draft who could push former draft picks Hergott & Onyeka to see if a Canuck DE could play reps in the rotation.

Might be a gem or two to be found in the late rounds as well; that last overall CFL draft pick A. Vandal started on a GC winning O-line last season is not mentioned by any CFL commentators ? - IMO shows there is lots of Canadian talent to be found in the draft.

[shatto]

Good analysis, OV. The only need I would add, is the a player for short yardage plays. The 2 possibilities might be Tachiniski who is a good size and a very strong runner and Vaughn who was a competent QB before switching to TE. Vaughn is 260 lbs and was virtually unstoppable in his last two college years as a short yardage QB.

[j-ski]

If the Argos are looking for a tailback to develop, i would go with RB Keanu Yazbeck, Western. He was an outstanding defensive player before he joined Western so I'm sure he could immediately help on special teams.

[OV Argo]

Good analysis, OV. The only need I would add, is the a player for short yardage plays. The 2 possibilities might be Tachiniski who is a good size and a very strong runner and Vaughn who was a competent QB before switching to TE. Vaughn is 260 lbs and was virtually unstoppable in his last two college years as a short yardage QB.

Given the success of both M-Lite & David Mackie last year as very good short yardage, under C QBs, I bet more CFL teams will be thinking a specialist / big powerful guy to take that role. And Vaughn has the advantage of lots of real QB experience so throwing out of that formation to produce a big play would be in the mix. Be interesting to see how high Vaughn goes (if at all) this draft.

I believe, sadly, Tachinksi will be a GOB write-off this draft - he just will not be considered as part of the 3 QBs depth on any team (likely has "weak arm strength"); but maybe a team would look at him for that short yardage role, and as a conversion to slotback project ?

[OV Argo]

A number of very athletic testers at this Combine.

Biggest surprise maybe: Western DT Max Von Muehldorfer (1st team OUA all-star last season) - at 6-1, 290, wins the bench press with a very strong 34 reps, AND finishes 5th in the shuttle run (where speedy DBs or receivers usually rule), plus has a 34" vertical and 10' broad jump = superb set of testing #s for a big DT; might have moved to near the top of DT rankings for this draft (maybe the Argos could get him).

Both all-Canadian safeties Nate Beauchemin & Jackson Findlay put up solid sets of testing #s, but all-star D-Half Eric Cumberbatch (GGs) was faster (3rd fastest 40 there at 4.51) and more athletic overall. All 3 of these guys are 6' plus & 200 plus - big-sized DBs; like to see the Argos able to draft one of them.

[j-ski]

A number of very athletic testers at this Combine.

Biggest surprise maybe: Western DT Max Von Muehldorfer (1st team OUA all-star last season) - at 6-1, 290, wins the bench press with a very strong 34 reps, AND finishes 5th in the shuttle run (where speedy DBs or receivers usually rule), plus has a 34" vertical and 10' broad jump = superb set of testing #s for a big DT; might have moved to near the top of DT rankings for this draft (maybe the Argos could get him).

Both all-Canadian safeties Nate Beauchemin & Jackson Findlay put up solid sets of testing #s, but all-star D-Half Eric Cumberbatch (GGs) was faster (3rd fastest 40 there at 4.51) and more athletic overall. All 3 of these guys are 6' plus & 200 plus - big-sized DBs; like to see the Argos able to draft one of them.

How about DL Jeremiah Ojo 40 of 4.59.

[OV Argo]

A number of very athletic testers at this Combine.

Biggest surprise maybe: Western DT Max Von Muehldorfer (1st team OUA all-star last season) - at 6-1, 290, wins the bench press with a very strong 34 reps, AND finishes 5th in the shuttle run (where speedy DBs or receivers usually rule), plus has a 34" vertical and 10' broad jump = superb set of testing #s for a big DT; might have moved to near the top of DT rankings for this draft (maybe the Argos could get him).

Both all-Canadian safeties Nate Beauchemin & Jackson Findlay put up solid sets of testing #s, but all-star D-Half Eric Cumberbatch (GGs) was faster (3rd fastest 40 there at 4.51) and more athletic overall. All 3 of these guys are 6' plus & 200 plus - big-sized DBs; like to see the Argos able to draft one of them.

How about DL Jeremiah Ojo 40 of 4.59.

Ojo's set of testing #s were superb for a DE

How bout Carabins' QB Jon Senecal - a 4.68 forty for a 6-1, 200 range QB is faster than most CFL QBs I would wager; and he also put up very good jumping and quickness (3 Cone & shuttle) numbers. Maybe a GOB can make him into a safety or slotback.

All-Canadian receivers Ethan Jordan & Daniel Wiebe likely helped their stock with strong testing #s; a number of GOB scouts would love to dismiss their U Sports stats/production if they are not backed up by athletic testing #s.

[j-ski]

A number of very athletic testers at this Combine.

Biggest surprise maybe: Western DT Max Von Muehldorfer (1st team OUA all-star last season) - at 6-1, 290, wins the bench press with a very strong 34 reps, AND finishes 5th in the shuttle run (where speedy DBs or receivers usually rule), plus has a 34" vertical and 10' broad jump = superb set of testing #s for a big DT; might have moved to near the top of DT rankings for this draft (maybe the Argos could get him).

Both all-Canadian safeties Nate Beauchemin & Jackson Findlay put up solid sets of testing #s, but all-star D-Half Eric Cumberbatch (GGs) was faster (3rd fastest 40 there at 4.51) and more athletic overall. All 3 of these guys are 6' plus & 200 plus - big-sized DBs; like to see the Argos able to draft one of them.

How about DL Jeremiah Ojo 40 of 4.59.

Ojo's set of testing #s were superb for a DE

How bout Carabins' QB Jon Senecal - a 4.68 forty for a 6-1, 200 range QB is faster than most CFL QBs I would wager; and he also put up very good jumping and quickness (3 Cone & shuttle) numbers. Maybe a GOB can make him into a safety or slotback.

All-Canadian receivers Ethan Jordan & Daniel Wiebe likely helped their stock with strong testing #s; a number of GOB scouts would love to dismiss their U Sports stats/production if they are not backed up by athletic testing #s.

I liked Senecal numbers too. I wouldn't be surprised he gets signed as a free agent. Don't expect him to get a fair chance though. Really surprised and happy about Jordans speed.

[OV Argo]

How about DL Jeremiah Ojo 40 of 4.59.

Ojo's set of testing #s were superb for a DE

How bout Carabins' QB Jon Senecal - a 4.68 forty for a 6-1, 200 range QB is faster than most CFL QBs I would wager; and he also put up very good jumping and quickness (3 Cone & shuttle) numbers. Maybe a GOB can make him into a safety or slotback.

All-Canadian receivers Ethan Jordan & Daniel Wiebe likely helped their stock with strong testing #s; a number of GOB scouts would love to dismiss their U Sports stats/production if they are not backed up by athletic testing #s.

Most CFL teams' QB rooms are quite full now (outside of maybe the EE who do have a Canadian QB as projected starter) = don't expect to see any U Sports QB added to actually compete in a CFL TC when they have 4 or 5 import QBs already on the roster.

And really nice to see both Kurtis Rourke & Elgersma drawing NFL interest, plus making the CFL Scouting Bureau's top 20 prospects list - very talented QBs for sure. But IMO, Senecal is the best CFL game QB prospect for this draft - based on dual threat ability and that he has a very good passing arm. I would love to see and independent / blind test taste QB evaluator assess all 3 in terms of passing arm ability (arm strength and accuracy) and see what he has to say - maybe both Rourke & Elgersma have far superior arms and QB "form", but I highly doubt that - I've seen enough of Senecal play - he has a great arm.
I liked Senecal numbers too. I wouldn't be surprised he gets signed as a free agent. Don't expect him to get a fair chance though. Really surprised and happy about Jordans speed.

[j-ski]

TSN Day 1 Standouts

https://www.tsn.ca/video/who-stood-out- ... ne~3102463