June 9, 2014: Toronto Argonauts vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers

[Will]

Trevor Harris is starting to look like Ricky Ray a little bit out there. Good for him, I wasn't overly impressed with Harris in training camp last year, but he seems to have improved a lot in the past year. We'll see how he does against Hamilton, which is a better defense than Winnipeg. Mitchell Gale did not look out of place either. He didn't looked as polished as Harris and I'm not sure the team scored any points with him on the field, but he showed flashes. I wonder why Josh Portis wasn't brought to Winnipeg? Is he injured or is he not fitting into the Argos' plans any longer? Pachall was playing his first pro game (albeit exhibition) and it showed a bit. That fumble was a huge mistake, but I'm sure he'll learn his lesson on that account. Slaton, Steele and Johnson all showed something at RB. Coombs had a few descent runs as well. Hogan and JJ said on the broadcast that it'll probably come down to the little things such as blocking and how quickly the RB get to their checkdown positions that will solve the running back battle. I'm not sure if the Argos will have to cut any of these guys prior to the game against Hamilton, but they've deserved a 2nd look in my opinion. Steele also looked good on special teams coverage, which may help him a bit. I was interested to see how Robert Gill would do and unfortunately he got hurt after making that catch on the first play. Darvin Adams and Natey Adjei were busy receivers for the Argos yesterday and it will be interesting to see how Adjei does going forward because many were raising an eyebrow at that draft selection in the first place. Receiver is not a position where I am remotely worried and that says a lot considering how we felt about that position as recently as two years ago. The Argos tried to feature Terrell Sinkfield a bit and he made an impressive catch. Hogan seemed impressed with the top-OL unit, I was a little bit wary about their play in the 2nd quarter though.

The defensive line was good in the second half. I'd say that some of those guys deserve a look against the better Hamilton players next Thursday. I think the Bombers got off a lot of long completions, but the secondary looked all right at other times. The 4th Winnipeg QB did provide a different look that the D as a whole had a bit of difficulty adjusting to.

[ArgoRavi]

I wonder why Josh Portis wasn't brought to Winnipeg? Is he injured or is he not fitting into the Argos' plans any longer?

I was wondering about this a couple of days ago and it was mentioned that Portis was hurt during the scrimmage on Friday. I hope that this doesn't spell the end for Portis and that he gets a chance to play in the second preseason game. BTW, I read in the Ottawa Sun that the RedBlacks released Corey Leonard and appear to be down to three QBs. Rick Campbell said something about hoping to bring in a QB from another team at some point so the Argos may have a trade option there.

[Will]

The new PI review was utilized successfully by the Argos last night and eventually led to an Argos touchdown. I'm still uneasy about it even if it benefited the Argos last night.

[AngeloV]

The new PI review was utilized successfully by the Argos last night and eventually led to an Argos touchdown. I'm still uneasy about it even if it benefited the Argos last night.

I hate the review on PI. Thankfully each team still only has 2 (or 3 if they are successful) challenges a game. What happens in the last 3 minutes though? Can the both call down and take a look at virtually every passing play? That would be horrible.

No to be critical, however I noticed Harris did not have the zip and tight spiral on the ball like Gale or Pachall had.
Pretty much the same thing during his tenure with the Argos and unlike Zach last year.

Ricky Ray is the best passing QB in the league, and he doesn't have a lot of force on his throws. As long as the read is good, and the balll is thrown on time, it means absolutely nothing.

[ArgoRavi]

I hate the review on PI. Thankfully each team still only has 2 (or 3 if they are successful) challenges a game. What happens in the last 3 minutes though? Can the both call down and take a look at virtually every passing play? That would be horrible.

I believe that a PI review in the last three minutes can only be instigated by one of the teams, providing that they still have a timeout.

[Rich]

Trevor Harris is starting to look like Ricky Ray a little bit out there. Good for him, I wasn't overly impressed with Harris in training camp last year, but he seems to have improved a lot in the past year. We'll see how he does against Hamilton, which is a better defense than Winnipeg. Mitchell Gale did not look out of place either. He didn't looked as polished as Harris and I'm not sure the team scored any points with him on the field, but he showed flashes.

I'm a little less concerned than I was in the off-season about what happens if/when Ricky gets hurt this year. Harris does seem to have grown into a serviceable QB. He doesn't have star potential like Collaros, but he's a smart player, a student of the game, and is not likely to kill us with mistakes.

On the other hand, I didn't see any growth from Gale over his performances last year. I wouldn't have nearly the same confidence in him as I do now in Harris. I think Pachall has way more upside than Gale, given that Pachall missed the minicamps this year and has very little experience with the system. Plus he may have the strongest arm on the roster. If it was up to me, at this point in time, I'd put Pachall at #3.

Darvin Adams didn't disappoint. The guy can make any catch. I don't know how you keep him off the roster. And as for Natey Adjei, I'd be awfully worried if I was Mike Bradwell or Spencer Watt today.

Ricky Ray is the best passing QB in the league, and he doesn't have a lot of force on his throws. As long as the read is good, and the balll is thrown on time, it means absolutely nothing.

How can you say it means absolutely nothing? If you want to thread the needle 25 yards downfield you sure as hell better have some zip on it.

[AngeloV]

How can you say it means absolutely nothing? If you want to thread the needle 25 yards downfield you sure as hell better have some zip on it.

It's all about timing and accuracy. There isn't a pro QB that can't do that, or else they wouldn't even be looked at as a prospect. Good QB's don't fit the ball into tight areas. They throw to a spot where their receiver can get to it and not the defence...what they call throwing the receiver open.

[Rich]

Good QB's don't fit the ball into tight areas.

Surely you don't mean this.

What you probably meant is you can't force a pass into coverage, which is absolutely right. But sometimes the window of opportunity for "throwing the receiver open" is really short, which sometimes means the ball's gotta get there really fast. Probably more important in the NFL, where there's so much less open space. Ricky could have easily been an NFL QB if he was able to throw an accurate bullet when he had to.

Argos might have to win a bunch of high scoring games, but that could be quite do-able with Ray and a potential very good supporting cast.

I could live with a bunch of high scoring games, and I think the promise of a lot of offence makes casual fans more interested in the Argonauts too.

[AngeloV]

It was pretty obvious that on D, the team was looking to see who can win that 1 on 1 battles last night. It was a very vanilla defence with no blitz packages at all. Considering that, I thought they did ok.

[Will]

Yeah, vanilla D is common for the pre-season. I thought the front seven looked pretty good against the run early.

[argotom]

No to be critical, however I noticed Harris did not have the zip and tight spiral on the ball like Gale or Pachall had.
Pretty much the same thing during his tenure with the Argos and unlike Zach last year.

[argotom]

Ricky Ray is the best passing QB in the league, and he doesn't have a lot of force on his throws. As long as the read is good, and the balll is thrown on time, it means absolutely nothing.

Ricky has the touch and with a nice soft spiral.

Winnipeg's new stadium sure looks great on TV. Hopefully a rebuilt and covered new BMO will look that good.

Agree with you, it's a jewel and looks awesome on TV.
Dare I say even though I do not watch, like a No Fun league stadium.

[1argoholic]

Hard choices to make at rb. We look pretty solid. Can't wait to see more of Coombs. He looks to have a real strong burst to the hole as well as some Barry Sanders types lateral movement. His name came to mind on one run that was called back due to a penalty.

I thought that both Harris and Gale aimed the ball with a pushing type throw rather than gunning the ball. Perhaps nerves. Like to see more of Pachall.

Some big D lineman that at times looked lost but I think there's some good stuff to look forward to.

[ColdCrusty78]

It was great to see all the RB perform well, as Milanovich has mentioned being able to protect Ricky Ray is going to be key to securing this position. Was also impressed with WR Adams too, he had a couple of sweet catches.

[bluto]

Harris will be a good backup. He plays from the pocket so the offence will be able to play the same way with him as with Ricky. When given the additional weapons we have (Owens, Durie, Chiles, Barnes et al) he will be able to eat up yardage and allow our RB (whoever that turns out to be... really i haven't the foggiest) to run without having defences cheat on them.

How can you say it means absolutely nothing? If you want to thread the needle 25 yards downfield you sure as hell better have some zip on it.

touch & timing >>> zip

any day

[paulwoods13]

Arm strength is overrated -- that's why Michael Bishop kept getting signed by teams. They fell in love with the cannon while forgetting that to be effective, every cannonball needs someone adept at lighting the fuse.

While Collaros seems to have a strong arm, a lot of his most effective throws last season were wobbly. It's about getting it to the receiver in a catchable place and in stride, not on always gunning it. Based on what little we saw of Harris last night, I think he can be more than adequate as No. 2 and injury insurance. Most importantly, he seemed to have a good grasp of the offence (as did Gale, albeit to a lesser extent, I thought). Don't know what to make of Pachall yet, and I really hope we get a good long look at Portis in Game 2.

Adjei looked pretty solid. I think Watt and Bradwell are still reasonably secure since Bradwell is effective on special teams and Watt is well established as a decent-enough deep threat from the little-used field WR spot. We need another NI receiver to replace Feoli-Gudino as a backup/ST guy and that will probably be Adjei. Coombs makes it as well, as a RB who will eventually also be worked into the Durie hybrid spot.

[OV Argo]

Offence looked good - without Ricky Ray but helped by a number of vets in on the O-Line; some good play by the receivers - Adams, Sinkfield, Adjei - one spot open to replace Inman?, with Owens, Chiles, Durie, maybe another NI (Watt?) as locks i guess; interesting battle at RB - not sure we saw who the best blocker was if that is a priority, but all of Slaton, Johnson and Steele ripped off some nice runs (albeit against a very iffy Bomber D with no real MLB in); Coombs had one nice run (and a decent return) but was in late in the game with inexperienced O-Linemen. I still think Harris is a potential very good young QB - always liked his outstanding college ball resume and the guy has a decent arm and some poise: Gale didn't overly impress me and Paschal is a long-shot (sorry dad) who at least got some significant playing time to show something. Also - Jerriel King at OG instead of OT ? - not sure i get that, even if Sewell is being counted on to start at OT - then, move Van Zeyl to OG and let King play OT where he was IMO so impressive last season. Maybe more like Van Zeyl & King as the starting OTs with Sewell the main back-up; Keeping at C, Holmes at one guard spot, then who is the other OG?

Special teams; brutal miss by the new FG kicker; i guess his punting was pretty good; noticed draft pick receiver Pszonzack was the holder; too bad he had no passes thrown his way on offence.

D is still the real big issue IMO - with so little experience and nobody really stepped-up with great play-making on D; Burke has a tough road ahead maybe to mold a strong unit; Argos might have to win a bunch of high scoring games, but that could be quite do-able with Ray and a potential very good supporting cast.

[Rids]

I won't do this for every game but thought I'd post this in here since Game 1 of the 2014 CFL Season featured the double blue. Just a quick look at the offense from Monday night.

http://blog.ridleyscouting.com/Kent_...on_Game_1.html

[doubleblue]

I won't do this for every game but thought I'd post this in here since Game 1 of the 2014 CFL Season featured the double blue. Just a quick look at the offense from Monday night.

http://blog.ridleyscouting.com/Kent_...on_Game_1.html

Thanks Rids, I hadn't seen all the stats.

[Argocister]

I won't do this for every game but thought I'd post this in here since Game 1 of the 2014 CFL Season featured the double blue. Just a quick look at the offense from Monday night.

http://blog.ridleyscouting.com/Kent_...on_Game_1.html

Thanks Rids.
It's always fun to watch the pre season, as these players are giving their all. It's also fun to mentally bet who will make the team, who's out for sure and who is a work in progress. Personally, I'm paying attention to the CIS players .... But that's probably evident from my name ....argo CISter