Toronto Argonauts adding Charleston Hughes puts stamp on overhaul
The Toronto Argonauts should feel rather fortunate that they were in a position to take advantage of the misfortunes of other teams this off-season.
In most years, Charleston Hughes would be the most coveted free agent on the market but with most teams looking to cut down on salaries, the Argos were in a position to add. Once Hughes was released by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Toronto wasted no time getting him signed.
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While there was a lot of talk about how the Argos overhauled the offence, they made sure to give the defence a much-needed makeover especially in the trenches. There is no better way to ensure your team can get to the quarterback than by adding the league’s top pass rusher.
It was no secret the Argos tried to sign Willie Jefferson when he was set to hit the open market in 2020 but he ultimately decided to return to Winnipeg. While they swung and missed on Jefferson, the way things have played out this off-season might have worked out better.
It started when the Calgary Stampeders had to make the tough decision with Eric Rogers and Cordarro Law. Both were not expected to return and Toronto decided to get to the front of the line by trading for their rights.
Seeing the Rogers join former Stampeders teammates DaVaris Daniels and Juwan Brescasin should give you a pretty good idea of the path this team wants to go. What can’t be overlooked is that Law and Hughes were once teammates together in Calgary and made that defence a force to be reckoned with.
As good as the offence should be for Toronto with all the players they have brought in, it can’t be overlooked the moves that were made to make sure the defence wasn’t neglected.
Make no mistake, the Argos should be viewed as a contender in the East Division along with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Of course, the team on paper will need to show that they can come together but the players they have added have a strong track record of success.
What are your thoughts on the addition of Hughes? Is he the final piece of the off-season puzzle? Let us know in the comments below.