Toronto Argonauts: Signing Duron Carter a worthwhile gamble

Duron Carter remains a possibility for the Toronto Argonauts after reports suggest that he plans to visit the team’s management and coaching staff.

Two weeks after being released by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Duron Carter remains unsigned and the Toronto Argonauts have emerged as the frontrunner to sign him according to TSN’s Duane Ford.

It comes as no surprise since CFL.ca reported that the Montreal Alouettes and B.C. Lions took themselves out of the mix, leaving only Toronto and Hamilton as the only interested teams.

Carter’s CFL career has gone through many ups and downs with a rough ending to his time with Montreal and Saskatchewan with reported riffs in the locker room.

When it comes to his performance on the field there’s no question to the impact he has and last season was a perfect example where he had 1043 yards on 73 receptions and eight touchdowns. He also played on defence for Saskatchewan which started late last season and continued to do it until getting released which did have an impact on his receiving numbers.

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In seven games this season, the 27-year-old has eight receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown but only saw an increase in offensive snaps in his final game before getting cut.

If the Argos do sign him it would be to play on the offensive side of the ball and he could find himself in a prime receiving spot with the team still searching for a player to replace DeVier Posey’s production.

The big question that people are wondering about Carter is whether the Argos can handle the baggage that comes with him. So far, in my discussions with players on the team, nobody seems to have an issue with the way the receiver conducts himself.

Bear Woods played with Carter in Montreal and wasn’t shy to offer his opinion on the young receiver and his reputation across the league.

"“I’ve ready stories about Duron concerning his time in Montreal and they didn’t happen or occur in the way I read them,” Woods said about Carter’s reputation. “Duron is a special and he’s not a bad teammate and that’s something that gets twisted. He’s misunderstood and he if he gets another opportunity I wish him the best."

It’s one thing to hear reports from the media about a player and his interaction with teammates, but it’s another to get it right from the source. In this case, Woods has no reason to hold anything back about Carter since he’s not the only player that shares those feelings.

Like Woods, Argos receiver S.J. Green has seen first hand what Carter can do on the field and knows how he is off of it. When asked about whether he would want Carter to be the team, Green made his intentions clear.

"“If management asks me then he definitely has my nod…Everybody’s got baggage, nobody’s perfect. So why not? He’s a hell of a football player, dynamic player and a dominant player,” Green said to the media after news broke about Carter’s release.“I think Duron is misunderstood in a lot of ways. If you take the time to sit and talk to him he’s an intelligent kid with a bright mind. It would be a shame to see a talent like that go to waste. From the time he stepped foot on the field [in the CFL] he’s been a force to be reckoned with and a presence that people should be aware of."

If the players believe they can handle Carter’s personality then it’s up to Jim Popp and Marc Trestman to decide whether they can work with him. According to a report from Justin Dunk of 3DownNation, Carter was expected to meet with the team in Toronto so a decision should be expected after the team’s game against Montreal.

At this point what do the Argos have to lose? It’s not like they would struggle to decide who should come out of the starting lineup since the team’s leading receiver is Green with 447 yards on 39 receptions.

It would bring more balance to the offence to get another weapon for rookie quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson and free up some space for Green with some easier matchups.

What could put a wrinkle in all of that is a report suggesting the TiCats being interested in Carter after Chris Williams expected to miss significant time with an injury. It wouldn’t be an ideal situation if a divisional rival makes a significant signing let alone one that you’re battling for positioning in the East

Now if the Argos are able to get a deal done with Carter, they will have some time to get Carter acclimated with the team as their next game won’t be until the Labour Classic. It also happens to be against Hamilton who they will play two straight against.

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Should the Argos consider signing Duron Carter? Let us know in the comments below?

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