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Toronto Argonauts: Sorting through the final roster cuts

By David Morassutti

May 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of the newly renovated BMO Field before a game between New York FC and Toronto FC at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of the newly renovated BMO Field before a game between New York FC and Toronto FC at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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With less than a week before their season starts against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the Toronto Argonauts made their final cuts with a couple of surprises.

Every CFL team needed to have their active roster set by 10:00pm ET Saturday. For the Toronto Argonauts that meant cutting their roster down from close to 90 participants, to the 46 player limit excluding players on the 1 and 6-game injured list.

Three players on the roster had to be quarterbacks and each team had to have a minimum of 21 Canadian players on the roster. Teams could also add 10 players to the practice on Sunday.

The Argos were not expected to make any major news with their roster decisions that was until the team made their cuts official Saturday night. Here is how it broke down courtesy of CFL.com. 

Released: QB Drew Willy, DB Larry Scott, LB Kamario McFadden, LB Terrell Richardson, DB Davonte Neal, DB Tremain Jacobs, DB Aaron Berry, DL Theiren Cockran, WR Joe Morgan, WR Ed Eagan, WR Ralph Abernathy, OL Ryan Mack, LS Joseph Iatzko, DB Marcus Alford, DB Cariel Brooks, DB Qudarius Ford, WR Cole Watson

Practice Roster: DE Evan Foster, Manitoba, LB Justin Herdman, Simon Fraser, RB Martese Jackson, Florida Atlantic, WR Jamel Johnson, RB Cam McDaniel, LB Terrance Plummer, QB Dakota Prukop, DB Winston Rose, OL DJ Sackey, WR Malcolm Williams

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Not a major surprise was the team’s decision to part ways with Willy has looked out of place since he joined the Double Blue. He did not see any action in the Argos final preseason game in Hamilton which could have been a sign of the team’s decision to release the 30-year old and give a look at other options.

Willy was brought in last season as the Argos attempted to make a final push for a playoff spot. Willy only suited up for four games with the Argos completing 68% of his passes for 681 yards while throwing three TDs and one interception. As a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Blue Bombers and Argonauts, Willy threw for 8539 yards with 39 touchdowns and 29 interceptions over 46 career games.

The decision to cut Willy is going to give the team a chance to give Jeff Matthews a chance to show what he can do as well as Cody Fajardo. The Argos also have rookies McLeod Bethel-Thompson and Dakota Prukop that will require some time to develop but have some intrigue moving forward.

Another interesting omission from the final roster was defensive back Aaron Berry who was entering his sophomore season with the Argos. He had a pick six in the preseason opener against the Montreal Alouettes and was one of the few starters to return from last season. He was expected to start at corner this season but the team decided to go with other options.

A player that made a strong impression was Canadian receiver Jimmy Ralph who showed that he was capable of making big plays on offence. As a Canadian he could see some time along with Anthony Coombs and Brian Jones.

At the running back position, the Argos have a solid backup option to Brandon Whitaker in James Wilder Jr., a six-foot-three 232 pound back from Tampa, Fla. The 25-year old spent three seasons as a member of the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals.

Next: A tribute to Don Matthews

It will be interesting to see how the roster comes together before the season opener as the Argos have some injuries to sort through but it looks like things are going to turn around this season.

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