August 23, 2014: Toronto Argonauts vs. Edmonton

[ArgoRavi]

Why isn't Robert Gill, a speed guy returning kicks? Too many long fields yesterday too.

Robert Gill was hurt during the Winnipeg game which is why he was much less noticeable against B.C.

I suspect what Argocister meant was that Sewell in and Eppele out is the only real change on the line from last year, not that a trade should be made.

Sewell has now started two games and has been mostly dominated both times. Coincidence or not, those are the worst two games the o-line has played as a unit. And both times Rogers was missing. My conclusions are that (a) Rogers is the key guy on the line, and (b) Sewell is not yet ready for prime time. I'm not even close to giving up on him -- the guy is massive, and clearly has outstanding potential. He didn't play much last year in CIS, and not every prospect develops quickly. I believe he will eventually become a long-term starter for us, but doubt it will be this year.

Sewell is a good example of how most CIS players need some seasoning as a pro before they are ready to step in and start. There is no question that he is struggling with the greater speed and complexity of the professional game and that should not be surprising. Perhaps Scott Mitchell should be the next man up if there are further injuries.

Any word on Owens? After seeing the hit I was surprised he was able to walk off the field.

According to Milanovich in the Star today, Owens injured his hamstring.

[Argocister]

........

Sewell is a good example of how most CIS players need some seasoning as a pro before they are ready to step in and start. There is no question that he is struggling with the greater speed and complexity of the professional game and that should not be surprising.....".
.."."...

As an aside .... I sometimes think it is more the OUA players that need more seasoning. Calgarys Jones played centre from the start.... Goosen is playing this year. Lavertu is capable and is playing when needed, Calgary has Jones in his place at the moment. Coombs was capable from the start. ....western players are often capable.

[Neely2005]

Robert Gill was hurt during the Winnipeg game which is why he was much less noticeable against B.C.



Sewell is a good example of how most CIS players need some seasoning as a pro before they are ready to step in and start. There is no question that he is struggling with the greater speed and complexity of the professional game and that should not be surprising. Perhaps Scott Mitchell should be the next man up if there are further injuries.



According to Milanovich in the Star today, Owens injured his hamstring.

I'm a big fan of Owens but he can not seem to stay healthy. The Argonauts need to come up with a viable replacement for him because it's almost guaranteed that he's going to miss significant time every season.

Has it been confirmed that THF will be ready for Labour Day? Even if it is, only about 18,000 seats will be available due to construction...and there maybe only a limited amount of beer, the Hamilton fans won't be so much alcohol induced to act like idiots. The atmosphere won't as intimidating as other years.

I don't think that it's been confirmed yet but they did apply for a permit to allow them to play in a partially finished stadium.

[paulwoods13]

I'm a big fan of Owens but he can not seem to stay healthy. The Argonauts need to come up with a viable replacement for him because it's almost guaranteed that he's going to miss significant time every season.

For the record, here are his games played with the Argonauts:

2010: 17
2011: 18
2012: 18
2013: 13

Plus he played in every post-season game. So before this season he had missed exactly six out of 77 games in four years, and I believe one of those (last year's RS finale) he was healthy but sat because the game did not matter. I'm having a hard time seeing him as a guy who cannot seem to stay healthy. As for a viable replacement, guys like Owens don't come along very often.

[Neely2005]

For the record, here are his games played with the Argonauts:

2010: 17
2011: 18
2012: 18
2013: 13

Plus he played in every post-season game. So before this season he had missed exactly six out of 77 games in four years, and I believe one of those (last year's RS finale) he was healthy but sat because the game did not matter. I'm having a hard time seeing him as a guy who cannot seem to stay healthy. As for a viable replacement, guys like Owens don't come along very often.

Fine I'll add the word recently. He's missed a significant amount of games last season and this season. That's 2 out of 5 seasons.

As to a viable replacement I'm referring to someone who can take his place and be above average when he is inevitability hurt.

[Blue90]

I have a beef and it's concerning the Argo head coach or lack thereof.

How long will he continue to accept the dumb, stupid and unnecessary penalties that this team continues to take? I heard an explanation on TV the previous week, that it is due to the number of new players in the league this week. This is nonsense. Look at the Argo penalties. Shea Emry, Dwight Anderson, Cleoin Lang, Jalil Carter....these are not first year players. There seems to be no accountability for any of these stupid penalties (I remember in particular Shea Emry taking 2 unnecessary roughness penalties on the same play!)

If Scott Milanovich is calling the offensive plays, he should be fired. They gave up a chance to score at the end of the 2nd half yesterday and settled for a field goal. He seemed to be totally unable to respond to Edmonton's defensive rush in the first half, and had no game plan to try to avoid the strong Edmonton pass rush. Ricky Ray was running for his life every time he went back to pass.

It is no wonder that the Argos cannot attract fans to the games the way this team has played. I've have turned off several games this year at half time due to their poor effort (although I stuck with the game yesterday only to be disappointed at the end.)
The calibre of play this year has been laughable, with all the mistakes, penalties, etc.

What do you guys think?

[AngeloV]

I have a beef and it's concerning the Argo head coach or lack thereof.

How long will he continue to accept the dumb, stupid and unnecessary penalties that this team continues to take? I heard an explanation on TV the previous week, that it is due to the number of new players in the league this week. This is nonsense. Look at the Argo penalties. Shea Emry, Dwight Anderson, Cleoin Lang, Jalil Carter....these are not first year players. There seems to be no accountability for any of these stupid penalties (I remember in particular Shea Emry taking 2 unnecessary roughness penalties on the same play!)

If Scott Milanovich is calling the offensive plays, he should be fired. They gave up a chance to score at the end of the 2nd half yesterday and settled for a field goal. He seemed to be totally unable to respond to Edmonton's defensive rush in the first half, and had no game plan to try to avoid the strong Edmonton pass rush. Ricky Ray was running for his life every time he went back to pass.

It is no wonder that the Argos cannot attract fans to the games the way this team has played. I've have turned off several games this year at half time due to their poor effort (although I stuck with the game yesterday only to be disappointed at the end.)
The calibre of play this year has been laughable, with all the mistakes, penalties, etc.

What do you guys think?

Honestly? I think you don't have a clue what you are talking about.

[Stevoman]

Honestly? I think you don't have a clue what you are talking about.

Hmmm, I think he makes a valid point regarding penalties. The Argos are taking far too many penalties and this has been happening for years now and so it can't be because of so many players who are new to the CFL. I think Milanovich is a great coach and am happy with the regime but this is an area we need to shore up. The BC game we only had 3 and so I do think they are trying to address it.

[Blue90]

Honestly? I think you don't have a clue what you are talking about.

Really?

1. Argos are not taking a lot of unnecessary penalties
2. Scott M is doing a good job of play selection and preparing his team for games
3. Argos are an exciting team and the Skydome is full for each game

[Rich]

Honestly? I think you don't have a clue what you are talking about.

You have to understand, Blue 90, that AngeloV is the only one on this board who is qualified to have football opinions, because he used to play pee wee football. Got it?

But I happen to agree with you about the scheme for the Edmonton game. In the first half, we could not contain the rush, and yet the coach continued to send out the receiver 5-pack instead of bringing in some extra protection for Ricky. And Ricky kept getting killed. Coach finally figured it out once we were down by 24 points. He should have made that adjustment in the 2nd quarter.

[Argocister]

I have a beef and it's concerning the Argo head coach or lack thereof.

How long will he continue to accept the dumb, stupid and unnecessary penalties that this team continues to take? I heard an explanation on TV the previous week, that it is due to the number of new players in the league this week. This is nonsense. Look at the Argo penalties. Shea Emry, Dwight Anderson, Cleoin Lang, Jalil Carter....these are not first year players. There seems to be no accountability for any of these stupid penalties (I remember in particular Shea Emry taking 2 unnecessary roughness penalties on the same play!)

If Scott Milanovich is calling the offensive plays, he should be fired. They gave up a chance to score at the end of the 2nd half yesterday and settled for a field goal. He seemed to be totally unable to respond to Edmonton's defensive rush in the first half, and had no game plan to try to avoid the strong Edmonton pass rush. Ricky Ray was running for his life every time he went back to pass.

It is no wonder that the Argos cannot attract fans to the games the way this team has played. I've have turned off several games this year at half time due to their poor effort (although I stuck with the game yesterday only to be disappointed at the end.)
The calibre of play this year has been laughable, with all the mistakes, penalties, etc.

What do you guys think?

Welcome to the forum ..... not cutting the head coach.

Penalties are a problem, but this team is up and down.In the Montreal game the Argos had 3 penalties. Probably the penalties show their ugly head when the team becomes frustrated. ..... seems a normal tendancy for many teams.

As to offensive plays .... a combo of Scott and Marcus Brady I believe..... And as to taking the field goal or going for the TD ... thats a 50/50 draw... take the safe points or go for it and lose them all. Sometimes Milanovich has gambled, but more frequently when he has more confidence in the players .

Whose or what team have you enjoyed?

[doubleblue]

I have a beef and it's concerning the Argo head coach or lack thereof.

How long will he continue to accept the dumb, stupid and unnecessary penalties that this team continues to take? I heard an explanation on TV the previous week, that it is due to the number of new players in the league this week. This is nonsense. Look at the Argo penalties. Shea Emry, Dwight Anderson, Cleoin Lang, Jalil Carter....these are not first year players. There seems to be no accountability for any of these stupid penalties (I remember in particular Shea Emry taking 2 unnecessary roughness penalties on the same play!)

If Scott Milanovich is calling the offensive plays, he should be fired. They gave up a chance to score at the end of the 2nd half yesterday and settled for a field goal. He seemed to be totally unable to respond to Edmonton's defensive rush in the first half, and had no game plan to try to avoid the strong Edmonton pass rush. Ricky Ray was running for his life every time he went back to pass.

It is no wonder that the Argos cannot attract fans to the games the way this team has played. I've have turned off several games this year at half time due to their poor effort (although I stuck with the game yesterday only to be disappointed at the end.)
The calibre of play this year has been laughable, with all the mistakes, penalties, etc.

What do you guys think?

Don't let the negative comments deter you. We are all titled to our opinion. I agree about the TV comments how all the new players in the league are the reason for the big increase in flags this year. There is always a large turnover in the CFL. IMO new Chief Ref Johnson decided he was going to have his guys crack down this year, calling everything and anything. They will be told to back off and I think they already have.

Milanovich won't be fired but I'm concerned about some of the decisions being made. I am sure they have their reasons. My biggest concern was the protection of Ricky Ray. Other teams in the past have countered a good pass rushing defense by going to two TE's or big FB who can pass block. I was upset when they threw Matt Sewell into the Sask. game at LT against John Chick. Great way to ruin his confidence. Bringing him inside at Guard helped to protect him somewhat, but this current 5 man line was overmatched by Edmonton and needed help.
Last year the OLine of Rogers/Washington, Holmes, Keeping, Van Zeyl and King was a better unit IMO in those positions. But Rogers is now on the 6 game and Barker hasn't brought in any Import Tackles for depth. To me they should have played a TE beside Van Zeyl to help slow down Willis and then allow him (the TE) to slip out for a short pass reception occasionally. Zander Robinson has proved he can get some good Yac yards in the past. But these Coaches are the current experts so they will do what they think is the best way to win and it is an 18 game marathon not a sprint. But they have to find a way to give RR more time to set up. To me that's not rocket science. The CFL Classic archives are full of ways to do it.