Post by selanne405 on Feb 22, 2010 10:15:29 GMT -5
tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=311051
It did not take long for new head coach Jim Barker to make his mark on the Toronto Argonauts.
On Sunday, less than a month after Barker's hiring, the Argos released import quarterbacks Kerry Joseph and Cody Pickett in addition to import linebacker Zeke Moreno.
"After assessing what we required to run our offence in 2010, we felt we needed to go in a different direction at the quarterback position," said Barker in a media release. "Kerry and Cody have contributed a lot to this team and we thank them for their past efforts.
"We understand that it seems bold to release these quarterbacks before announcing the additions of new quarterbacks to the roster but we wanted to make this move immediately so these players could try to catch on with other teams. We have a plan in place and will be making those announcements over the course of the next month."
Joseph said that while he was caught off guard by the announcement, he had a hunch it might be coming.
"It's somewhat of a surprise, but I had a funny feeling because of all the changes going on and because I hadn't spoken to anybody," he told TSN on Sunday.
Joseph said he had spoken to Pickett after hearing the announcement and explained that they both understood the move.
"I guess with [the Argonauts] looking at the way things transpired over the last two years I guess they felt they had to go in a different direction. As players it is not what you want to hear, but at the same time it is part of this business."
With regards to Moreno, Barker said the timing of the move was also an attempt to give the linebacker more time to catch on with a new team.
"We would like to thank Zeke for all of his efforts. Our defence is also heading in a different direction and he was not part of the plan. We wanted to act swiftly to give Zeke a chance to find another opportunity," said Barker.
The Argonauts struggled to a league-worst 3-15 record in 2009. The offence generated only 328 points, another league low, with Joseph and Pickett splitting starts at QB. Former head coach Bart Andrus was relieved of his duties following the season.
"There were a lot of things that structure wise were not good and the results showed on the field," Joseph said of the 2009 season. "As quarterbacks we weren't in good situations there and I felt we had to take the good with the good and the bad with the bad. There were a lot of things that went on that were not structurally sound."
While his last two seasons in Toronto were not the best of his career, the veteran QB feels he still has the tools to be a starter in the CFL.
"I feel I am a starting quarterback. I know what I am capable of doing and look at what I did in 2007 and I know with the last couple of years and what has transpired in Toronto, I'm a better football player than that."
When asked about his future, Joseph said he will stay positive and not focus on what went wrong in Toronto.
"As a person and a player I know what went on within the organization in those meeting rooms and I just look at it as I'm not going to be bitter, I'm not going to be angry I just look at it as a new chapter in my life."
Joseph, the CFL's Most Outstanding Player in 2007 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, completed 185 of 337 pass attempts in 2009 with 10 touchdowns against 16 interceptions.
Pickett completed 145 of 235 attempts with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Moreno had 95 tackles with two sacks and two interceptions last season.
Bombers should give him a chance, I think he could be an ideal back up plan similar to the Glenn/Porter thing Hamilton had last season.
EDIT: Never mind
www.winnipegsun.com/sports/football/2010/02/22/12976481-sun.html
It did not take long for new head coach Jim Barker to make his mark on the Toronto Argonauts.
On Sunday, less than a month after Barker's hiring, the Argos released import quarterbacks Kerry Joseph and Cody Pickett in addition to import linebacker Zeke Moreno.
"After assessing what we required to run our offence in 2010, we felt we needed to go in a different direction at the quarterback position," said Barker in a media release. "Kerry and Cody have contributed a lot to this team and we thank them for their past efforts.
"We understand that it seems bold to release these quarterbacks before announcing the additions of new quarterbacks to the roster but we wanted to make this move immediately so these players could try to catch on with other teams. We have a plan in place and will be making those announcements over the course of the next month."
Joseph said that while he was caught off guard by the announcement, he had a hunch it might be coming.
"It's somewhat of a surprise, but I had a funny feeling because of all the changes going on and because I hadn't spoken to anybody," he told TSN on Sunday.
Joseph said he had spoken to Pickett after hearing the announcement and explained that they both understood the move.
"I guess with [the Argonauts] looking at the way things transpired over the last two years I guess they felt they had to go in a different direction. As players it is not what you want to hear, but at the same time it is part of this business."
With regards to Moreno, Barker said the timing of the move was also an attempt to give the linebacker more time to catch on with a new team.
"We would like to thank Zeke for all of his efforts. Our defence is also heading in a different direction and he was not part of the plan. We wanted to act swiftly to give Zeke a chance to find another opportunity," said Barker.
The Argonauts struggled to a league-worst 3-15 record in 2009. The offence generated only 328 points, another league low, with Joseph and Pickett splitting starts at QB. Former head coach Bart Andrus was relieved of his duties following the season.
"There were a lot of things that structure wise were not good and the results showed on the field," Joseph said of the 2009 season. "As quarterbacks we weren't in good situations there and I felt we had to take the good with the good and the bad with the bad. There were a lot of things that went on that were not structurally sound."
While his last two seasons in Toronto were not the best of his career, the veteran QB feels he still has the tools to be a starter in the CFL.
"I feel I am a starting quarterback. I know what I am capable of doing and look at what I did in 2007 and I know with the last couple of years and what has transpired in Toronto, I'm a better football player than that."
When asked about his future, Joseph said he will stay positive and not focus on what went wrong in Toronto.
"As a person and a player I know what went on within the organization in those meeting rooms and I just look at it as I'm not going to be bitter, I'm not going to be angry I just look at it as a new chapter in my life."
Joseph, the CFL's Most Outstanding Player in 2007 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, completed 185 of 337 pass attempts in 2009 with 10 touchdowns against 16 interceptions.
Pickett completed 145 of 235 attempts with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Moreno had 95 tackles with two sacks and two interceptions last season.
Bombers should give him a chance, I think he could be an ideal back up plan similar to the Glenn/Porter thing Hamilton had last season.
EDIT: Never mind
www.winnipegsun.com/sports/football/2010/02/22/12976481-sun.html