Week 4: Ottawa redblacks @ Toronto Argonauts, July 13 Game Thread

[Will]

One heck of a tough matchup for the Boatmen. Ottawa seems to be firing on all cylinders so far.

[mchesher03]

It will be a battle. However, as much as I don't want to rip Harris cause I think he's good, we all did notice our offence sputter down the stretch last year. He is open to the same criticisms that Ray has received - holding the ball too long, not being overly mobile, etc. I think keeping Chris Williams under wraps is huge for this one - he's good at getting open and Harris is quite good at finding him! Feel as though keeping their offence contained and forcing 2nd and longs is key - if our D-line plays like last week that would help tremendously. Offensively, stay on the field, move the chains, hopefully keep Whittaker involved and I like our odds to win it. That said we're getting treated to 2 very good matchups to start off our home schedule.

[Argo]

It will be a battle. However, as much as I don't want to rip Harris cause I think he's good, we all did notice our offence sputter down the stretch last year. He is open to the same criticisms that Ray has received - holding the ball too long, not being overly mobile, etc. I think keeping Chris Williams under wraps is huge for this one - he's good at getting open and Harris is quite good at finding him! Feel as though keeping their offence contained and forcing 2nd and longs is key - if our D-line plays like last week that would help tremendously. Offensively, stay on the field, move the chains, hopefully keep Whittaker involved and I like our odds to win it. That said we're getting treated to 2 very good matchups to start off our home schedule.

Harris' mobility has looked entirely adequate this season.

As I recall, the 2015 Argonauts - from Milanovich on down - tanked - not just Harris. Further, the team had every right to do so.

Let's just play Wednesday's game and see where things stand. If the Argos win, being (AFAIK) at something of an injury disadvantage, it'll be a particularly significant victory in more ways than one.

[Wobbler]

Hmm. Are you defending their right to not play well? I suppose players aren't *legally* obligated to perform, but the question never occured...

I'm more interested in who's healthy this week. Do we get Gabriel back? Maybe even Jefferson?

[Argo57]

This will be a huge test, Ottawa has built a really good team in a relatively short period of time.
Harris is in a groove and will be out to stick it to the Argonauts.
Once again the line of scrimmage will tell the tale, Argos O-Line must protect Ray and give him time, while also establishing the running game.
D-Line needs to pressure Harris and disrupt him, if they don't it will be a long night.

[Stevoman]

Triple team Williams and put pressure on Harris!

[AngeloV]

Triple team Williams and put pressure on Harris!

I say we hire Jeff Gillooly to Nancy Kerrigan him. Then we can hear the screams of "WHY? WHY? WHY?"

[Scooter McCray]

We have Ottawa on 5 days and in our building. This is a big advantage. Can't double team Williams because all of their receivers are all stars. This is why the team us so good offensively regardless of QB. Argos match up well. Only team to sweep them last year I believe except Edmonton but Ottawa already has that monkey off their back.

[Argo]

Hmm. Are you defending their right to not play well? I suppose players aren't *legally* obligated to perform, but the question never occured...

Huh ?!?

[AngeloV]

We have Ottawa on 5 days and in our building. This is a big advantage. Can't double team Williams because all of their receivers are all stars. This is why the team us so good offensively regardless of QB. Argos match up well. Only team to sweep them last year I believe except Edmonton but Ottawa already has that monkey off their back.

Not as big an advantage as it seems. We have 21 hours more since we both last played, but we also had to travel cross country.

I'm more interested in who's healthy this week. Do we get Gabriel back? Maybe even Jefferson?

Frank Z's column today says Jefferson is expected back. Also says Gabriel is a wait and see situation. I would sit him 1 more game.

[PullTogether73]

I say we hire Jeff Gillooly to Nancy Kerrigan him. Then we can hear the screams of "WHY? WHY? WHY?"

This is about the only solution.
Harris has said that Williams is the fastest receiver with whom he has ever played.
No one on the Argos will be able to cover him.

And double/triple covering him leaves Ellingson and Sinopoli open.
They've been lighting it up pretty well.

[AngeloV]

This is about the only solution.
Harris has said that Williams is the fastest receiver with whom he has ever played.
No one on the Argos will be able to cover him.

And double/triple covering him leaves Ellingson and Sinopoli open.
They've been lighting it up pretty well.

In all seriousness you have to get physical with him. Need to bump him right off the line of scrimmage with some over the top help in case he eludes the bump. He's fast, but he's tiny.

[Wobbler]

Frank Z's column today says Jefferson is expected back. Also says Gabriel is a wait and see situation. I would sit him 1 more game.

Great news about AJ. I hear what you're saying about Gabriel - he did reinjure himself awfully quickly - but I really hope he can go. Black just isn't the same.

[Argo57]

We have Ottawa on 5 days and in our building. This is a big advantage. Can't double team Williams because all of their receivers are all stars. This is why the team us so good offensively regardless of QB. Argos match up well. Only team to sweep them last year I believe except Edmonton but Ottawa already has that monkey off their back.

Sure you could, throw an extra DB in and double team him.

[argotom]

This game will be a big test.
For Ray and especially our Defense going against all of the threats with Harris, Williams and the rest of the receiving corps.
So far the RB look like the best team in the league.

[Double Dare]

Triple team Williams and put pressure on Harris!

Ha, ha, that's funny!
Ottawa's other great receivers (Ellingson, Sinopoli, etc.) will have a field day.

[argotom]

Sure you could, throw an extra DB in and double team him.

The problem with that theory is you have 3 other 1000+ receivers dangerous in their own way.
A huge test for our DBs.

[Scooter McCray]

[QUOTE=AngeloV;90693]Not as big an advantage as it seems. We have 21 hours more since we both last played, but we also had to travel cross country.

Agreed, but they still have one less practice day and have to travel to us. This means they only have one practice day to prepare for us and we have two. This might be enough to slow down Williams and keep Harris' arm sore. Just better than having to face them on more rest. We need to play physical on their offence. Argos then have 1-1/2 weeks to rest and get Montreal on 4 days. I see no reason we can't get 2 wins coming up in the new building and begin to establish a presence there and take control of the division.

[Argo57]

The problem with that theory is you have 3 other 1000+ receivers dangerous in their own way.
A huge test for our DBs.

Yes, and 6DB's.

[R.J]

Argos should be in tough this game. Ottawa is no pushover and their offence has started off hot, their defence has played well, but I think we have the Special team's edge.