Toronto Argonauts Thread
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BodaciousBeefBazooka
Go Leafs Go
Not a fan of guys tackling eachother in tights. I like guys skating around holding their sticks instead.
stickty111
Registered User
- Jan 23, 2017
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On paper, we should be a really good team. However will we gel with so many new faces and how long?
keonsbitterness
Registered User
They recruited well but will probably struggle early with so many new players.
Just another ‘business trip’ as former Argo, Stampeder teammates prepare to battle - TSN.ca
On the surface, Saturday’s Calgary Stampeders-Toronto Argonauts season opener at McMahon Stadium could have the feel of a high school reunion, with several players and coaches on both CFL teams having swapped sides since 2019.
That starts with Argonauts rookie head coach Ryan Dinwiddie, who was previously the Stampeders quarterbacks coach from 2016 to 2019 under Dave Dickenson.
They won a Grey Cup together in 2018 and while the pair have a shared history, neither man has been willing to insert themselves into the rivalry ahead of Saturday’s matchup (7 p.m. ET; 4 p.m. PT TSN1, TSN3).
“I haven’t put too much into it thinking it’s me versus Dave,” Dinwiddie said. “I’ve been so focused on trying to get this offence ready, this team ready to go play. We know it’s going to be a challenge. Calgary’s a tough place to play…I know Dave. He’s a genius. He sees football in a different light. I learned a lot from him. I know he’s going to be prepared, but it’s not me versus Dave. I’ve just got to get the team prepared to win.”
Dickenson had a similar view, downplaying the role of head coaches.
“Coaches don’t win games, players do,” Dickenson said. “He needs to get them ready. He needs to give them the opportunity. He needs to give them structure. Coaches can also lose games though. Ryan’s a friend, a good, hard worker. I’m happy he was able to get this opportunity.”
Nick Arbuckle, the former backup to Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, was slated to start for the Boatmen in Calgary but will now be on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury. McLeod Bethel-Thompson gets the start for the Argos.
Toronto’s roster is dotted with more ex-Stampeders, including defensive lineman Charleston Hughes. He’s still tied for the Stampeders career lead in sacks with 99, but now wears blue and white following a two-year stint in Saskatchewan after spending the first 10 years of his CFL career in Calgary.
Toronto receiver Eric Rogers played four seasons in Calgary, putting up two 1,000 yard campaigns catching passes from Mitchell. Rogers and Mitchell had a strong bond, with the quarterback saying that losing the receiver was like “losing a brother.”
“He’s been a guy that I’ve gone to in a lot of tough times, and you have to have that guy,” Mitchell said on his Horse Power podcast this spring.
With the game less than 48 hours away, Rogers’ outlook is different.
“This is a business trip,” he said. “I go there expecting to win, like I do every game. Just go out there and try to win, put some points on the board. That’s the main goal.”
On the Calgary side, Stampeders linebacker Cory Greenwood, offensive lineman Sean McEwen, backup quarterback Michael O’Connor and punter Ronnie Pfeffer all previously played in Toronto.
While he knows many players on the 2021 Argos roster, McEwen said that the team’s new defence means his intel on systems and strategies is limited.
“We can try to make our best guess and look at the guys who have been in the league before and watch film on that, but other than that, we have to make our best assumption,” he said.
Despite the familiarity on both sides, friendship will be put aside when the teams square off on Saturday.
On the surface, Saturday’s Calgary Stampeders-Toronto Argonauts season opener at McMahon Stadium could have the feel of a high school reunion, with several players and coaches on both CFL teams having swapped sides since 2019.
That starts with Argonauts rookie head coach Ryan Dinwiddie, who was previously the Stampeders quarterbacks coach from 2016 to 2019 under Dave Dickenson.
They won a Grey Cup together in 2018 and while the pair have a shared history, neither man has been willing to insert themselves into the rivalry ahead of Saturday’s matchup (7 p.m. ET; 4 p.m. PT TSN1, TSN3).
“I haven’t put too much into it thinking it’s me versus Dave,” Dinwiddie said. “I’ve been so focused on trying to get this offence ready, this team ready to go play. We know it’s going to be a challenge. Calgary’s a tough place to play…I know Dave. He’s a genius. He sees football in a different light. I learned a lot from him. I know he’s going to be prepared, but it’s not me versus Dave. I’ve just got to get the team prepared to win.”
Dickenson had a similar view, downplaying the role of head coaches.
“Coaches don’t win games, players do,” Dickenson said. “He needs to get them ready. He needs to give them the opportunity. He needs to give them structure. Coaches can also lose games though. Ryan’s a friend, a good, hard worker. I’m happy he was able to get this opportunity.”
Nick Arbuckle, the former backup to Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, was slated to start for the Boatmen in Calgary but will now be on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury. McLeod Bethel-Thompson gets the start for the Argos.
Toronto’s roster is dotted with more ex-Stampeders, including defensive lineman Charleston Hughes. He’s still tied for the Stampeders career lead in sacks with 99, but now wears blue and white following a two-year stint in Saskatchewan after spending the first 10 years of his CFL career in Calgary.
Toronto receiver Eric Rogers played four seasons in Calgary, putting up two 1,000 yard campaigns catching passes from Mitchell. Rogers and Mitchell had a strong bond, with the quarterback saying that losing the receiver was like “losing a brother.”
“He’s been a guy that I’ve gone to in a lot of tough times, and you have to have that guy,” Mitchell said on his Horse Power podcast this spring.
With the game less than 48 hours away, Rogers’ outlook is different.
“This is a business trip,” he said. “I go there expecting to win, like I do every game. Just go out there and try to win, put some points on the board. That’s the main goal.”
On the Calgary side, Stampeders linebacker Cory Greenwood, offensive lineman Sean McEwen, backup quarterback Michael O’Connor and punter Ronnie Pfeffer all previously played in Toronto.
While he knows many players on the 2021 Argos roster, McEwen said that the team’s new defence means his intel on systems and strategies is limited.
“We can try to make our best guess and look at the guys who have been in the league before and watch film on that, but other than that, we have to make our best assumption,” he said.
Despite the familiarity on both sides, friendship will be put aside when the teams square off on Saturday.
colchar
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- Apr 26, 2012
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I cheer for the Argos and any team playing against Hamilton. Other than that I just enjoy the games and don't care which team wins.
ACC1224
Super Elite, Passing ALL Tests since 2002
- Aug 19, 2002
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Yeah I'm not invested in the TiCats like I am the Leafs or Steelers . I figured if I'm going to be in the stadium I may as well cheer for the home team, plus they have great uniforms.
Mightygoose
Registered User
Mightygoose
Registered User
Bede with the winning FG with 37 seconds to go, less the Argos to victory 23-20.
They overcame.many mental errors to come back
They overcame.many mental errors to come back
Jimmy Firecracker
Backcheck, Forecheck, Paycheque.
What an interception to secure the win. Missed the CFL. Argos!
Sensrule
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- Aug 30, 2007
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Unbelievable game! It's just one game obviously, but I'm feeling good about this team.
Clark4Ever
What we do in hockey echoes in eternity...
Tarmore
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- Nov 11, 2008
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- 673
Argos win an ugly one.
To be honest either team could have won and been lucky. Game momentum swung back and forth a couple of times.
To be honest either team could have won and been lucky. Game momentum swung back and forth a couple of times.
stickty111
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- Jan 23, 2017
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Nice win. Lots to clean up but it's the 1st game. As one of MBT's biggest critics, he had a nice drive late in the game so credit to him for stepping up.
Menzinger
Kessel4LadyByng
stickty111
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Mightygoose
Registered User
For sure, Arbuckle brought in and quickly moved down the field via a nice run by White.
Now they're giving up so many free yards through penalties, it's Christmas in August now.
keonsbitterness
Registered User
Not like Arbuckle did much more against probably the best team in the league. Bomber D, especially the line, was dominant.
Didn't hurt that the Bombers had two more days rest than the Argos. And to make matters worse, the Argos were delayed a day leaving Calgary, flew back to Toronto, and had limited practice time before flying back west.
With a full week off and regular practice schedule, they should be better this week. Still might not be enough against the best team in the league.
Feeling '100% ready to go', Arbuckle can't wait to make first start with Argos - TSN.ca
It's been two years since Nick Arbuckle last started a CFL game, then with the Calgary Stampeders. Now the 27-year-old QB is with the Argos and is set to make his first start for the team in front of home fans in Toronto. Arbuckle spoke about his excitement ahead of the home opener against the Blue Bombers.
It's been two years since Nick Arbuckle last started a CFL game, then with the Calgary Stampeders. Now the 27-year-old QB is with the Argos and is set to make his first start for the team in front of home fans in Toronto. Arbuckle spoke about his excitement ahead of the home opener against the Blue Bombers.
stickty111
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Funny how the offense looks more smooth with a half decent QB.
All though Argos were fired up back at home.
All though Argos were fired up back at home.
