Toronto Argonauts: Alden Darby trade all about addressing a team need
With the Toronto Argonauts looking to address a lack of depth on the offensive line, the team had to trade fan favourite Alden Darby.
For years, Alden Darby has been a proud ambassador for the Toronto Argonauts and beloved teammate in the locker room.
Now, the 29-year-old is on his way to Winnipeg as the Blue Bombers had to find a replacement for Mercy Maston who suffered a torn Achilles. The Argos also needed to address their offensive line that is dealing with some absences and injuries.
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Terry Poole has been a target for the front office when he was in the XFL in 2020. In order to get the deal done, the Blue Bombers needed to address the obvious need they had on defence.
"“If you want a good player, people are going to ask for a good player. It’s a place where we’ve tried to get as much depth as we can and then let training camp play itself out,” Argos Vice President of Player Personnel John Murphy told Mike Hogan of Argonauts.ca. We’ve talked to them about several different players at that offensive line spot in the last few months and finally found something that worked for both sides.“It’s hard to let go of a productive veteran that’s done everything the right way both on and off the field, but you have some limitations on how to get quality players up and into training camp, so to get a guy that has some versatility, that’s been playing, that we’ve liked, that we had a good evaluation on; you’ve got to give something to get something.”"
Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie echoed the same message saying that COVID protocols played a factor in the trade since Poole has been through the quarantine period. The team understands that this is not an insignificant player they gave up considering Darby had a career-high five interceptions in 2019.
Toronto Argonauts: Alden Darby’s departure a tough departure among teammates
As productive as Darby was on the field, he was a beloved teammate. The defensive back brought energy and charisma that was infectious.
Talking to quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson on Monday, he didn’t sugarcoat what the loss of Darby meant to the team but also realizes it’s an opportunity for someone else to step up.
” It just means no people have to step up, you know that other voices have to be heard. We have to come together,” Bethel-Thompson said. “I think the quicker that we can heal those wounds. We have to start with us here and now. That’s the harsh reality of professional football and we wish him the best except when he’s playing us.”
The defence has options to try and overcome the loss of Darby including Chris Edwards who registered a pick-six in the first scrimmage of training camp.
Martavis Bryant running out of time to join team. dark. Next
What are your thoughts on the Darby trade? Will it be tough to replace his production? Let us know in the comments below.