Courtesy The Hamilton Spectator:

How do Marcel Desjardins’ personnel moves stack up?

Here’s the ups and downs of the major deals in Desjardins’ first full season as Ticat GM:

1: The Jan. 31, offensive lineman Wayne Smith and wideout D.J. Flick to Saskatchewan for quarterback Rocky Butler and a 2007 second-round draft pick.

The details: This is the deal critics dwell on. It was kicked off by Flick’s $130,000 contract, too rich for the GM’s tastes. He proposed a big cut, which the receiver balked at. Smith’s play had trailed off in late 2006 in Desjardins’ view and in Butler the new GM saw a guy who might climb up the depth chart.

But Butler didn’t want to hang in and was released in late June. Flick has prospered with the Roughies.

The verdict: If that draft pick, offensive lineman Jordan Rempel develops really well, maybe this one looks OK in time. Right now, it’s a loser.

2: Aug. 19. The Ticats get receiver Jason Armstead from Saskatchewan for running back Corey Holmes and rookie receiver Chris Getzlaf.

The details: Fans are still puzzled about Holmes’ frustrating tenure in Tigertown. He mostly did good things when he got his hands on the ball, though that wasn’t nearly enough for many critics.

Desjardins said Holmes simply didn’t fit into the Xs and Os of an offence built around getting the ball to Jesse Lumsden.

Armstead did get lots of playing time but didn’t show game-breaking stuff on the receiving side.

But he was in the top four in punt and kickoff returns, though Holmes topped him by almost 2.5 yards per punt return.

Getzlaf is the wild card in this deal and it may take a few seasons for the hand to play out.

The verdict: Right now, it looks like a loser but the subsequent signing of running back Terry Caulley may wipe out memories of Holmes.

3: June 27: trade of defensive Tad Kornegay to Saskatchewan for receivers Thryron Anderson and Jason French.

The details: Anderson is gone and French is not showing much while the Ticats secondary continues to struggle.

The verdict: Looks like it tilts to the Roughriders. Still, the Roughriders pass defence is the worst in two categories, same as the Cats.

4: Sept. 12 in the wake of Casey Printers’ signing, disappointing pivot Jason Maas is dealt to Montreal for little-known Canadian running back Jeff Piercy.

The details: Desjardins can’t get much as the Alouettes are taking a problem with a big contract off his hands.

The verdict: No-win deal for anyone — yet.

5: March 13, kicker Jamie Boreham sent to the Roughriders in exchange for defensive lineman Alvin Washington.

The verdict: With Nick Setta kicking the skin off the ball, who cares?

6: July 13: Desjardins dumps former all-star defensive back Sam Young,

The details: This came the day after dropping another experienced DB, Wayne Shaw. Young wants more money, though he’s agreed to a contract, and the GM isn’t going to be bulldozed.

The verdict: It set the club back in terms of shoring up the D backfield but it goes under the heading of necessary housekeeping and sending a signal.