Ray to start Eastern Semi Final

[R.J]

http://www.cfl.ca/article/argos-snap...th-victory#Ray
http://www.tsn.ca/argos-qb-ray-to-st...final-1.389665
http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/video/is-ray-t...e-argos~744046

Not surprised at all, saw this coming for quite some time and IMO it's a good call. Harris has his issues and I trust Ray a lot more in a playoff game than I would Harris.

[PullTogether73]

Harris is the Argonauts nominee for MOP.

This is simply a choice of experience over inexperience at a crucial time.

[paulwoods13]

Printers/Dickenson 2004.

[1argoholic]

Ray has looked pretty good and Harris could always come off the bench. Harris did toss one lame duck yesterday.

[PullTogether73]

Ray has looked pretty good and Harris could always come off the bench. Harris did toss one lame duck yesterday.

????
Ray looked good against B.C.?
I respectfully disagree.

And he played under 1.5 quarters last night.

I would likely choose Ray right now to start in the playoffs, but again, that is only because of experience.
I believe Harris is the guy going forward though.

[ArgoRavi]

I would likely choose Ray right now to start in the playoffs, but again, that is only because of experience.
I believe Harris is the guy going forward though.

I agree on both counts.

[Argo57]

Have to wonder if this will weigh into Harris's decision as to where he signs next season.

[ArgoZ]

Have to wonder if this will weigh into Harris's decision as to where he signs next season.

It should. It shows that this team handles its players correctly using respect and loyalty. The Argos reward hard work and experience. Harris can look forward to receiving this kind of treatment when he becomes the starter, likely next season.

[1argoholic]

For a guy who hasn't played in a year Ray looked good. Give the future Hall Of Famer a bit of a break. Everyone was writing off Kack and look how well he played. Even all of the guys on the panel thought that Ray looked good. Start Ray and if he craps it then you've got Harris.

[Stevoman]

Other than one pass that Ray had flop out of his hand, he looked like the usual Ricky Ray and I am fine with him starting the playoff game but really hope the leash is shorter than normal and also hope that they use Harris in a package that might push the ball down the field a bit more. As for next year though, ideally they'd both be back but I think Harris is more crucial to be kept.

[Neely2005]

For a guy who hasn't played in a year Ray looked good. Give the future Hall Of Famer a bit of a break. Everyone was writing off Kack and look how well he played. Even all of the guys on the panel thought that Ray looked good. Start Ray and if he craps it then you've got Harris.

Hopefully Kackert starts in the playoffs.

[paulwoods13]

I hope we start whoever gives us the best chance to win. I'm betting the coaches believe that is Whitaker, given that he played something like 10 games in a row as the only tailback on offence. Love Kack, but the playoffs are no time to get sentimental over past glories.

[Argo57]

I hope we start whoever gives us the best chance to win. I'm betting the coaches believe that is Whitaker, given that he played something like 10 games in a row as the only tailback on offence. Love Kack, but the playoffs are no time to get sentimental over past glories.

True Paul, I believe both of Kackert's big games have been against Winnipeg this season.
If he and the Argonaut running game performed like that against the upper echelon teams he would be starting for sure.

[PullTogether73]

Whitaker will definitely start at RB.
I'm curious how the depth chart will look after that. Kackert or Steele? Or both?

[Neely2005]

I hope we start whoever gives us the best chance to win. I'm betting the coaches believe that is Whitaker, given that he played something like 10 games in a row as the only tailback on offence. Love Kack, but the playoffs are no time to get sentimental over past glories.

I would dress both Whitaker and Kackert and have them both pound the ball and establish a running game. They've both played better than Steele IMO.

[timlb01]

I don't think Kack will be dressed for the playoffs even though he looked really good last night. The quarterback situation has and is being handled correctly. Ray will not make a crucial mistake. If he doesn't look good or struggles he can easily be pulled or they could go to a 2 quarterback system. If Harris started he may through one of the those killer interceptions. This team has one every game by a close margin this year. Never blew anyone out. So no matter who they play next week the game will be decided by less than 5 points. I pray the defence comes together and plays a complete game without penalties.

[paulwoods13]

Hard to believe they would deviate from Steele as second RB since he offers a lot more on special teams. If Whitaker is not very healthy they will dress Kackert, if BW is good to go they will dress Steele. IMO.

[OV Argo]

Hard to believe they would deviate from Steele as second RB since he offers a lot more on special teams. If Whitaker is not very healthy they will dress Kackert, if BW is good to go they will dress Steele. IMO.

Kackert should dress & play IMO - IF this offensive brain trust had any faith in a run game whatsoever - a duo of Whitaker & Kackert = 2 different style backs, with each getting some work, could be very effective, again IF they are prepared to run the ball plenty,which I seriuously doubt; Steele is a tough little back who runs hard, but not even close to Kackert ability in terms of breaking big gainers on the ground; and Steele's good ST ability could easily take a 2nd seat to having a better offensive weapon ; lots of other guys can play hard on STs.

[ArgoZ]

Kackert should dress & play IMO - IF this offensive brain trust had any faith in a run game whatsoever - a duo of Whitaker & Kackert = 2 different style backs, with each getting some work, could be very effective, again IF they are prepared to run the ball plenty,which I seriuously doubt; Steele is a tough little back who runs hard, but not even close to Kackert ability in terms of breaking big gainers on the ground; and Steele's good ST ability could easily take a 2nd seat to having a better offensive weapon ; lots of other guys can play hard on STs.

It's so easy to second guess. I wish they ran the ball a little more too, you bring up some interesting decisions. What if they decide to pound the ball with two backs and Hamiltons D just eats it up? I am not so sure that's the best strategy, and doesn't play to this offence's strengths at receiver and scatback. Banks is the best returner in the game, you would want all the best ST players to prevent a game changing return, no?

That being said, I do think we will see an increased ground game against Ham or Ott. I see both teams as so beatable, if they play smart and keep it low scoring. One reason I like Ray starting is his ability to weather the storm in a hostile first quarter.

[paulwoods13]

Kackert should dress & play IMO - IF this offensive brain trust had any faith in a run game whatsoever - a duo of Whitaker & Kackert = 2 different style backs, with each getting some work, could be very effective, again IF they are prepared to run the ball plenty,which I seriuously doubt; Steele is a tough little back who runs hard, but not even close to Kackert ability in terms of breaking big gainers on the ground; and Steele's good ST ability could easily take a 2nd seat to having a better offensive weapon ; lots of other guys can play hard on STs.

You can have faith in a ground game without playing two tailbacks. I don't know how much we will run the ball next week (probably not a ton) but I am very confident we won't take out an INT receiver to put two INT RBs in the game at the same time. I believe Milanovich has never done that, as a head coach or an OC in Mtl, so it's not gonna start now. As for Steele, IMO it's not just about playing hard on STs, it's about playing effectively. He has a unique skill set among the backups and special teamers and I'm not inclined to think he can be easily replaced with a snap of the fingers.