Lefko on Argos: An impacting trade

Go figure.

On Wednesday during a media teleconference call, Toronto Argonauts’ general manager/head coach Jim Barker mentioned that Adrian Davis would factor in the battle for the non-import defensive tackle position created by the retirement of Adriano Belli.

Well, on Thursday he dealt Davis to Calgary as part of a six-player deal that will see veteran Canadian defensive tackle Miguel Robede, the first pick overall in the 2005 draft, come to Toronto.

Receiver P.K. Sam, traded to Calgary last year in the deal that brought veteran receiver Jeremaine Copeland to Toronto, returns to the Argos, while Reggie McNeal, who never really caught on in Toronto, goes to Calgary.

The Stamps have one of the best corps of import receivers in the league, so McNeal isn’t likely to see too many balls. The Argos’ receiving corps isn’t nearly as stacked, so Sam will probably enjoy his latest go-round in Toronto.

The teams also traded negotiation list players.

On the surface, the Argos have acquired two starters for two backups.

So did the reporter who asked Barker about the competition at defensive tackle cause Barker to suddenly rethink the depth chart?

Likely not.

But Barker certainly changed his mind rather curiously. Perhaps the deal was in the works anyway. He had to have known that having lost his two starting defensive tackles in the off-season – Belli to retirement and Eric Taylor to B.C. in free agency – he had to acquire a veteran now rather than later.

Robede finally became a starter in 2008 in his third year in the pros and played the full season. But his games played have fallen off the last two years – 12 in 2009 and 11 in 2010. He suffered a concussion late last season, but was cleared in the off-season.

He has 41 tackles and seven sacks in his career, and Barker knows him well having drafted him as the general manager with the Stamps in 2005.

But why would the Stamps give up on him? It’s more of a case that the Argos wanted him for his veteran interior presence and his success of being a winner wherever he has played. Be it in university with Laval or the Stamps, he has been part of championship teams. In 53 games played over four CFL seasons, he has recorded 41 tackles and seven sacks for the Stamps. He won’t be nearly as volatile as Belli. But who is?

Davis was originally drafted by Montreal in 2006 when Stamps’ current defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones worked for the Als in a similar capacity. He was signed as a free agent by Toronto late in 2007. It is interesting that Davis has yet to become a full-time starter, but caught the attention of the Stamps – and Jones – in the season-opener last year making four tackles and a sack. Jones employs one of the most creative defences in the league, relying on pressure. If Davis plays anything for the Stamps like he did in his game against them last year, he’ll be a useful addition.

The Stamps have a plethora of young, Canadian talent and acquired another one in a trade recently with Edmonton, landing defensive lineman in Brian Bulcke. He was a first-round pick of the Eskimos last year. They could potentially line up with four imports on the defensive line if they use Canadian running back Jon Cornish.

Sam returns to Toronto after they shipped him to Calgary last year for receiver Jeremaine Copeland. It is his third stint overall with Toronto. Overall he has 1,013 yards on 76 catches and three touchdowns.

McNeal has 1,090 yards on 80 catches and five touchdowns.