August 23, 2014: Toronto Argonauts vs. Edmonton

[T-Bone]

vs.

Week 9
Saturday, August 23, 2014 at 4:00pm EDT.
Commonwealth Stadium. Edmonton, AB.

TV: TSN
Video Webcast: TSN Go - ESPN3
Radio: TOR: TSN 1050 - EDM: CHED 630
Audio Webcast: TOR: Here - EDM: Here
Satellite Radio: SiriusXM

Depth Charts: TOR: Here - EDM: Here

Pre-Game Preview: Here

Post-Game Update: Argos Second Half Comeback Not Enough

Final Score: 27-41

[Argo57]

Should be good old ass whoopin in Edmonton, special teams play is atrocious, defence is hanging tough to their credit, all Edmonton has to do is stymie the Argonauts powerful arsenal of 3-5 yard passes and they should walk away with this one.

[1argoholic]

Every time I think the way you are Argo57 we seem to find a bit of luck or magic. I tend to think that the nest month makes or total crushes are year. With key guys on O dropping like flies and this stupid schedule we're like one step forward two steps back.
Not only were our special teams anything but special while covering returns, we have NO returner. I know we signed Trent Guy so dress him. I'm pretty sure he knows how to run straight up field without jogging or ducking waiting to get crushed. How does every team find quality returners to fill in for injured guys but we can't?

[AngeloV]

Argos will win this game (assuming there are no time clock malfunctions), but once again get no help from the schedule makers. Esks will be playing on additional 2 days rest.

[gilthethrill]

Argos will win this game (assuming there are no time clock malfunctions), but once again get no help from the schedule makers. Esks will be playing on additional 2 days rest.

Don't get me started on the clock malfunction....3 plays in 6 seconds....c'mon...

[Argo57]

Every time I think the way you are Argo57 we seem to find a bit of luck or magic. I tend to think that the nest month makes or total crushes are year. With key guys on O dropping like flies and this stupid schedule we're like one step forward two steps back.
Not only were our special teams anything but special while covering returns, we have NO returner. I know we signed Trent Guy so dress him. I'm pretty sure he knows how to run straight up field without jogging or ducking waiting to get crushed. How does every team find quality returners to fill in for injured guys but we can't?

Trust me I'd love to be surprised this week but we have a lot of deficiencies right now (injuries etc), not overly impressed with the receivers we have out there right now, kickoff-punt coverage is an adventure while our return game although safe won't concern any opposition. We have no one in the backfield who can break a tackle and Ray looks out of sorts with the current group. Pretty crap season so far!!

[ArgoRavi]

Argos will win this game (assuming there are no time clock malfunctions), but once again get no help from the schedule makers. Esks will be playing on additional 2 days rest.

I agree, AV. I am really not that concerned about the loss last night. The team just seemed to run out of gas in the fourth quarter and it is tough to have success against that tough B.C. defence with all of the injuries in the receiving corps. On the bright side, the Argo defence seems to be getting stronger by the game. Special teams coverage must get better but it was actually pretty good until these last two home games.

A win over Edmonton would put the Argos at 4-5 at the halfway point of the season which is not too bad given all of the adversity that they have faced so far this season.

[argolio]

Don't get me started on the clock malfunction....3 plays in 6 seconds....c'mon...

To be totally accurate, it was 5.4 seconds.

[Bleeds Double Blue]

I wasn't able to see the BC game due to work. Did the Argos get out of that without any significant new injuries? Please tell me they didn't lose any more receivers.

[paulwoods13]

I wasn't able to see the BC game due to work. Did the Argos get out of that without any significant new injuries? Please tell me they didn't lose any more receivers.

OG Wayne Smith appeared to be the only casualty last night.

The RedBlacks have released Paris Jackson and Tim Maypray. Neither guy has much left, IMO, but both might provide some short-term depth, especially Jackson as a NAT. I wonder if RedBlacks are loading up to make an outlandish offer to Weston Dressler. Wonder if we might also play in that sandbox. Seems hard to imagine we would, especially considering we have 15 guys being paid full salary on the IR. Their salaries don't count against the cap, but it's still real money being spent and the owner doesn't seem to want to spend money on this franchise.

[Argo]

All things considered, I have to take Edmonton over the Argos.

[ArgoRavi]

OG Wayne Smith appeared to be the only casualty last night.

The RedBlacks have released Paris Jackson and Tim Maypray. Neither guy has much left, IMO, but both might provide some short-term depth, especially Jackson as a NAT. I wonder if RedBlacks are loading up to make an outlandish offer to Weston Dressler. Wonder if we might also play in that sandbox. Seems hard to imagine we would, especially considering we have 15 guys being paid full salary on the IR. Their salaries don't count against the cap, but it's still real money being spent and the owner doesn't seem to want to spend money on this franchise.

For what it's worth, I have heard some B.C. fans say that at least one of Jackson's knees is shot. Considering that he couldn't make a weak Ottawa receiving corps, I doubt very much that he can help the Argos right now, even with all of the injuries. Maypray might be of more use, especially as he played in Montreal and would have some familiarity with the offence being used in Toronto. Still, I would be surprised to see him become an Argo. More likely, Trent Guy will get another shot.

[Argo]

It might be possible to swing a trade for S.J. Green. Achtung Jim Barker?

[Bleeds Double Blue]

OG Wayne Smith appeared to be the only casualty last night.

Thank you.

[ArgoRavi]

I like this comment from an unnamed coach which, if correct, will make life more difficult for the Esks this week: "What do I think of the new uniforms? The people who designed them have never coached. That's what I think. They made our jobs tough. Real tough. Our film work is based on numbers. How in the hell can we get numbers when Toronto has a big A on the front? I'm glad we don't play the Argos in the next couple of weeks. Watching that film against B.C. isn't going to be worth a crap."

A comment from another unnamed coach/executive from Kirk Penton's column: "Toronto will have a winning record this year if they quit screwing up on special teams. I don't look at the scoreboard; I look at the film. Their defence is getting better, but turnovers and special teams cost the Argos that game against B.C."

http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/08/1...many-penalties

[Argo]

I like this comment from an unnamed coach which, if correct, will make life more difficult for the Esks this week: "What do I think of the new uniforms? The people who designed them have never coached. That's what I think. They made our jobs tough. Real tough. Our film work is based on numbers. How in the hell can we get numbers when Toronto has a big A on the front? I'm glad we don't play the Argos in the next couple of weeks. Watching that film against B.C. isn't going to be worth a crap."

A comment from another unnamed coach/executive from Kirk Penton's column: "Toronto will have a winning record this year if they quit screwing up on special teams. I don't look at the scoreboard; I look at the film. Their defence is getting better, but turnovers and special teams cost the Argos that game against B.C."

http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/08/1...many-penalties

Cry, baby, cry! (Although I think the Big A On The Front is fashion faux pas.)

I wanted Prefontaine, if interested in the job, to become the ST coach. Alas we're stuck with Daley.

[gilthethrill]

I hope we can keep Jones defense on the field for 26 minutes of the 2nd half....similar to what Hamilton did in last hears EF....still ticked off about that...

[ArgoRavi]

Scott Milanovich provides a nice update on the status of various injured players in this video: http://argonauts.ca/video/index/id/101063

Looks like Owens may be able to go for Edmonton while Durie and Black might be another week away. SirVincent Rogers is likely out for the Edmonton game and may be replaced by Jarriel King while Wayne Smith will hopefully be able to go against the Esks.

BTW, is Frank Zicarelli the only media member who takes in practice regularly? Furthermore, I watched Milanovich's post-game press conference following the B.C. game and it sounded as though Zicarelli asked every single question.

[QBall]

I think the Argos can win this as long as...um...er...hmmm. Has Swayze Waters been kicking 70 yard field goals lately? In all seriousness it's time for the offense to step up, just like they did last year with the 4 game road trip (I know it's not the same group of players, but come on!).

[DoubleBlue1873]

If Owens can play this Saturday then that gives a big boost to both our return game and our receiving corps. I also thought Curtis Steele had a good game against BC If the O-line can clear some holes for him he can do some damage and take some pressure off Ray and the receivers. I admit it's still a long-shot to beat this Edmonton team in Commonwealth but I watched them play in person last Friday here in Ottawa and they weren't that impressive. Even accounting for the solid play of Ottawa's defence (a bright spot), the Edmonton offence just looked very average.