Team Leaders Needed for Toronto-based CFL franchise

Normally I keep it 100 pre cent Ti-Cat around here but sometimes stories about other teams require me to comment. I especially like to comment when that team is the Toronto Argonauts.

Argo defensive back and linebacker Willie Pile announced his retirement today. Pile spent the last five seasons with the Argos where he was universally regarded as one of the team's best players. Pile is just the latest Argo veteran to leave the team this off-season. The Argos have already dealt with:

• Jeremaine Copeland retiring to become a coach in Hamilton
• Kevin Eiben jumping ship to Hamilton in free agency
• Lin-J Shell signing with BC after the Argos inexplicably cut him
• Byron Parker joining Shell on the west coast by signing with the Lions as a free agent
• Rob Murphy and Taylor Robertson retiring

That brings the tally of veterans to depart the good ship Argonaut to seven, and it's not just what these players brought on the field, but off it as well. Sure, some of them the team let walk away, but that still doesn't mean their departures won't be felt. Every single one of those players could be classified as a team leader and losing all them at one time creates a leadership void that the Argos will have to address.

Ricky Ray is a natural choice to assume a leadership role, but he can't be the only one. Guys like Ricky Foley, Kevin Huntley and Jason Pottinger are going to have become even more vocal; Cory Boyd, Chad Owens and Andre Durie are going to have to step up and assume leadership roles as well.

Every team loses veteran players, but rarely does such a mass exodus occur at one time. The Argos have Grey Cup aspirations, and if they are to come close to reaching those expectations, new players are going to have to step up and become leaders sooner rather than later.

Copeland Retires... Becomes Coach in Hamilton

Jeremaine Copeland has ended his playing career. The 11-year veteran retired today and immediately took a coaching position with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Copeland is the team's new Receivers Coach. The Ti-Cats also hired Doug Sams as Quarterbacks Coach and retained Doug Malone as Offensive Line Coach.

The biggest news is obviously Copeland, who is the most well-known of the three. Going over Copeland résumé is unnecessary; everyone knows what he accomplished during his playing career. It's what he can bring as a coach that has the most intrigue.

Copeland is familiar with the two biggest names the Ti-Cats brought to town over the off-season: Head Coach George Cortez and Quarterback Henry Burris.

Copeland was with both in Calgary. Copeland, therefore, knows what Cortez likes to do offensively, and can relay that to the group of Receivers he is working with.

But it is Copeland's familiarity with Henry Burris that might end up paying the most dividends. Copeland played with Burris for five seasons (2005-2009) and both achieved amazing success together. As a coach, Copland can impart his wisdom to the Receivers that will be catching Burris's passes this season. That could prove to be invaluable.

Bringing in Copeland also puts a dent in Hamilton's closest rivals. The Argos are in desperate need of Receiver help, and losing their most veteran guy – even if he was long in the tooth and not an elite Receiver anymore – hurts.

The Cats have almost filled out their coaching staff. The big one left is Special Teams Coordinator, but a few positional coaching vacancies still exist. I'm sure the team is scouring the land looking for the right people.

Argos, Stamps Make Blockbuster Trade

According to the CFL's own website, the Toronto Argonauts have made another huge move, acquiring WR Jeremaine Copeland from the Calgary Stampeders in exchange for recently re-signed WR P.K. Sam.

The Argos have been very busy in the first days of free agency, signing DB Byron Parker, OL Cedric Gagne-Marcoux and now trading for Copeland. The Argos were a CFL-worst 3-15 last season which led to the firing of Head Coach Bart Andrus.

It seems as if the Argos are attempting to put the last two dismal seasons (where they finished a combined 7-29) behind them and are attempting to play catchup with the Grey Cup Champion Alouettes and the Tiger-Cats, who made the playoffs last season for the first time in five seasons. Signing Parker and trading for Copeland should help the Argos. One very glaring weakness last season was at WR, and Copeland provides an upgrade in that department. Copeland is a 2009 CFL All-Star and provides a top-flight #1 WR for whomever the Argos decide will be their QB in 2010.