Veterans Jabari Arthur and Alex Suber among first wave of CFL 65-man roster cuts

While the CFL is a relatively veteran-friendly league where some older players can shine, the influx of new players each year means we always see some well-known faces leaving as well. That's the case again this year, as we've seen with the first wave of cuts (teams have to get down to 65 players plus non-counters such as developmental Canadian quarterbacks by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Sunday). Those cuts included the Toronto Argonauts releasing import defensive back Alex Suber, who was heading into his sixth CFL season, and the Calgary Stampeders axing Canadian receiver Jabari Arthur, who was about to begin his eighth season. Will getting rid of Suber and Arthur in favour of younger talent prove to be the right move, or will these cuts come back to haunt the clubs?

Arthur's case is particularly interesting because he's Canadian (non-imports tend to have an easier time hanging on to roster slots than imports, as there's a smaller pool of capable Canadian replacements out there), and because he's been with the Stampeders for his entire career. He's never been especially productive, posting just 95 career catches for 1,145 yards, but he's been a good depth piece, and his 2013 season in particular (41 catches for 510 yards) was impressive. He's also very familiar with the Stampeders' coaches, quarterbacks, other players and schemes, which tends to be a significant incumbent advantage. It's notable that Calgary has a significant number of younger Canadian receivers, though, including Anthony Parker, Simon Charbonneau-Campeau and 2015 draft pick Lemar Durant, and that they appear set to likely only start one Canadian receiver. That means they probably have enough depth without Arthur, and it's relatively easy to justify getting rid of a player who will be 33 in August to keep younger guys with more potential.

The Argonauts' decision to cut Suber is notable too. While there's more turnover in general with import players, he's a guy they traded for just last September. He also had the second-most experience in their secondary, behind only safety Matt Black, and he's only 29, so age may not be the most important factor here. In five seasons with Winnipeg and Toronto, Suber has 249 CFL tackles, four interceptions and six fumble recoveries. It's possible that the Argos' defensive coordinator change played a role here; Tim Burke suddenly resigned in May and was replaced by linebackers coach Casey Creehan. Both Burke and Creehan were familiar with Suber from Winnipeg; Burke was first the defensive coordinator there and then the head coach, and Creehan was hired as the Bombers' DC after the 2012 season. He spent a relatively-unsuccessful 2013 there before taking the Argos' LB coach job in 2014. It's certainly conceivable that Suber was a better fit for Burke's system than Creehan's, and it's also possible that the younger players Toronto had in camp were more impressive. His release means the Argos will have a very inexperienced secondary this season, though.

Have we seen the last of Arthur and Suber in the CFL? That depends on other teams' needs. There are usually teams that want extra Canadian receivers, but Arthur's stats aren't significant enough to make him really stand out as a must-add; he would likely be a depth pickup if he was signed. Suber might be seen as having a higher upside, and his younger age helps, but his import status doesn't, and it's notable that two teams have now parted ways with him inside a year. There are always some players who manage to catch on in new locations and make their old teams look bad, but then there are always more who fall by the wayside. We'll see what proves to be the case for these guys.