Argonauts have two-time all-star DB Lin-J Shell under contract…so they release him

Normally after a 6-12 season that sees your team finish in the basement of your division, there's some housecleaning. However, it's more rare to have that housecleaning involve the team's leading tackler and one of its most decorated defensive players, especially when that player's relatively young and under contract for two more years. That's what happened Thursday with the Toronto Argonauts' decision to release defensive back Lin-J Shell, though. At first glance, this is discussed Shell's departure in a release, but his comments left more questions than they answered. Here's what he had to say:

Obviously, there is something to having players who fit whatever scheme you're trying to run, and obviously the Argonauts' defensive scheme is likely to change substantially with the addition of new defensive coordinator Chris Jones (who previously held that position in Calgary). However, releasing talented players just because they don't fit your preconceived notions of scheme can be problematic. Just ask the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who waived Tad Kornegay last July as part of a switch to new defensive coordinator Richie Hall. Kornegay had undeniable talent, but the Roughriders apparently thought he was only successful because of former DC Gary Etcheverry's unconventional blitzing schemes, and figured they could do better with other players. They were wrong.

Kornegay signed on in B.C. and proved to be a superb fit in quite a different system, becoming part of a dominant defence that allowed a league-low 385 points and helping the Lions accomplish an incredible turnaround from an 0-5 start to a Grey Cup victory. Meanwhile, his former team regressed to 5-13, and their defence allowed 482 points, the second-highest total in the league. Kornegay was far for the only reason for B.C.'s success and Saskatchewan's struggles, but he certainly played a part in his new team's turnaround, and his absence was a factor in the Riders' problems.

It's a similar story with Shell. After a college career with the Jacksonville Dolphins, arena football stints with the Orlando Predators and the New Orleans VooDoo and a cup of coffee with the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, Shell signed with Toronto in 2009 and instantly made an impact, recording 65 tackles, three sacks, an interception and two fumble recoveries. He was selected as the team's outstanding rookie that year and only improved from there, notching 63 tackles and four interceptions in 2010 and a team-high 94 tackles in 2011, as well as five fumble recoveries, a sack and two interceptions. He showed an impressive versatility that allowed him to fly to the ball, rush the passer, stop the run and cover receivers effectively, and he was deservingly selected as a CFL East Division all-star in 2010 and 2011. Moreover, he's only 30, and he signed an extension through 2013 last year, with guess who, coach/general manager Jim Barker. Here's what Barker had to say then:

Well, a lot's changed in a year. Despite Shell having his best year statistically and earning another all-star nod, 2012 Barker has now decided that 2011 Barker's emphasis on continuity and keeping good players was ill-founded. Moreover, it's hardly like Barker was hamstrung by a predecessor's contract here; he signed Shell's extension himself! Sure, the Argonauts need to make some changes to fit Jones' defensive system, but any system that doesn't have room for a talented, experienced and still reasonably young and versatile all-star defensive back (an often-scarce commodity in this league) seems rather flawed. It's not like Shell was offending teammates, either; in fact, fellow veteran Argonauts' DB Byron Parker tweeted he was "shocked" by the move. Parker added that Shell won't be out of work for long, though, and that seems highly likely given the demand for capable defensive backs. We'll see if he follows Kornegay's pattern and comes back to haunt his former team.