Week A of Pre-Season: Hamilton Tiger-Cats @ Toronto Argonauts Game Thread

[R.J]

I can't remember, are these "interns" also underclassmen?

They are.

[Will]

They are.

Then that is how they draw the clear line with these QB's.

[Will]

Coach Milanovich said that Ray would play the 2nd Q with Kilgore starting and then Adrian and Fajardo in the second half.

[Ron]

Good job Will. Nice to see a meaningful comment on the thread starter.

Very good. He now has to maintain his excellence for 21 more games.

[R.J]

Coach Milanovich said that Ray would play the 2nd Q with Kilgore starting and then Adrian and Fajardo in the second half.

A bit surprised Ray will only play in the second quarter - usually the number 1 guy see's action from the start until they get into a rhythm. No biggie; I'm excited to see Kilgore against some of Hamilton's starters.

[jerrym]

Masoli will start for the Tiger Cats.

Jeremiah Masoli will start at quarterback when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats take on the Toronto Argonauts in pre-season action at BMO Field on Saturday.
Head coach Kent Austin said the team may use all four of their pivots, with Jeff Mathews, Jacory Harris and rookie Jake Waters also getting time.
"We're going to keep it a little open-ended because we want to be fair based on possessions," Austin said. "We have to see how the complexion of the game plays out."
Masoli, who finished last season as the starter after injuries to Mathews and Zach Collaros, looks to have the edge in the competition to start the regular season as the No. 1 as Collaros rehabs from knee surgery.
"It's our first pre-season game, he's done well, he's had a good camp," Austin said of Masoli.
Austin said he'd like to see all his quarterbacks execute the offence efficiently.
"They need be great with their decision-making, their execution, the ability to throw the ball accurately, move the sticks, put the ball in the end zone," he said.
Catch Ticats' live-stream
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will live-stream the team's final pre-season game on June 17 at Ticats.ca.
It will be the second consecutive year the team has made the game available on its digital platform after CFL rights holder TSN elected to not broadcast the game on TV.
The live-stream will begin at 7 p.m. and feature play-by-play from the radio team of Marshall Ferguson and John Salavantis.

http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/6716183-masoli-to-start-for-ticats-on-saturday/

[jerrym]

Some of the talk before the game:

Sometimes, it can be tough to tell when Bryan Hall is joking.
After signing with the Toronto Argonauts as a free agent in late February, the former Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive tackle has engaged in some spirited — and mostly friendly — back-and-forth with Hamilton fans on social media.
But, beneath the generally jovial banter, there may be some hard feelings over how his time with the Ticats ended.
Hall was in fine form during a spirited interview at Argonauts training camp earlier this week, a discussion that featured plenty of light moments — and its fair share of dark subtext. This was as pointed as it got:
"If Kent Austin bumps me like he did Dave Stala, I will choke his ass out," Hall said.
That's a reference to a September game versus Toronto last season when the Hamilton head coach bumped the former Ticats receiver as he made his way through the opposing bench after a play. Austin apologized and was fined $5,000 by the CFL.
But Hall is hardly the only Ticat to take a verbal shot at Austin after his departure; a list that started with linebacker Rey Williams and includes former quarterback Henry Burris, now with the Ottawa Redblacks.
Turnover is an inherent part of the CFL and so are hard feelings over the business side of football. To express those things publicly, however, is rare.
This off-season saw the departure of veterans Bakari Grant, Taylor Reed and Brandon Stewart but the move by Hall and fellow defensive linemen Justin Hickman and Brian Bulcke to Toronto has added even more spice to an already intense, historic rivalry.
Hickman played six seasons with Hamilton in two different stints and pointed out that a number of players along the front seven from last year's team have been allowed to walk away via free agency.
"How is it different (in Toronto?) I don't know, but I don't want to talk bad about those guys over there. I want to be nice," Hickman said. "(But) if Simoni Lawrence can win the Most Outstanding Player in the East with what he had last year, he should be able to do it easier this year."
The players moving along the QEW didn't just flow one way: longtime Argonaut Chad Owens wasn't offered a contract by the club and subsequently signed a free agent deal in Hamilton. Owens has acknowledged that leaving Toronto was difficult but isn't interested in going public without whatever hard feelings he may have.
"What do you want me to say? I'm not going to comment. I could look at a million different ways. I had success with them. We won a championship together," Owens said. "To me, if you choose to focus on the negatives, you're not giving yourself the best chance to be successful. I'm going to focus on the positives and we'll leave it at that."
If there was a sentiment that players on both sides shared, it was this: Saturday's game is just a taste of what's to come this season between two clubs who expect to be battling each other for supremacy in the East Division.
"It's a pre-season game," Owens said. "Talk to me Week One."
This much is for sure: Owens was dead serious.

http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/...ore-the-storm/

[jerrym]

Tiger Cat's centre Mike Filer's thumb injury means Revenberg and Girard will be getting plenty of action against the Argos.

When centre Mike Filer cut his thumb for a dozen stitches Saturday morning forcing him to take most, if not all, of this week off formal practice, it gave the Hamilton Tiger-Cats a chance to take much longer looks at a couple of other snappers.
Sophomore Ticat Mathieu Girard, out of the University of Montreal, is Filer's backup and rookie Brandon Revenberg, the team's top draft choice this spring, played some centre at Grand Valley State College as part of his diverse offensive line portfolio.
It's probable that they'll be the two centres against the Argonauts in Saturday's preseason game at BMO Field in Toronto, as Filer likely won't be in uniform.
"We don't know," Austin said of Filer's chances of suiting up. "It's doubtful, he probably wouldn't have played that much anyway.
"These guys need to get some reps and it gives us another evaluation, certainly with respect to Mathieu, on his growth as a player. And we get a chance to see Revenberg in another position as well."
Revenberg last played centre a year and a half ago, but came into camp primarily as a left guard, although Austin says his staff is still analyzing which is the rookie's most natural position. Since Filer's thumb injury, Revenberg has had more reps at centre than he did prior to Saturday.

http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/...ckup-snappers/

[Ron]

Wow ... looks like Owens is ready to go! Hopefully he's in late season fumble mode in game one.

[AngeloV]

A bit surprised Ray will only play in the second quarter - usually the number 1 guy see's action from the start until they get into a rhythm. No biggie; I'm excited to see Kilgore against some of Hamilton's starters.

Argos have made a practice of this during Milanovich's run. Probably to give the #1 a chance to run the 3 minute offence during his time.

[R.J]

Depth Chart

It's heeeerrre!
Depth chart for tomorrow's preseason game vs @Ticats

Welcome back, football! pic.twitter.com/Yz9HIfOJBx

— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) June 10, 2016

BMO football set-up

Morning, beautiful. See you tomorrow! 😍#NewBeginnings #BMOField pic.twitter.com/M8LsfRuDSZ

— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) June 10, 2016

It's official! #BMOField is 🏈 ready!

We're taking you all on a Snapchat tour.
👻 torontoargos pic.twitter.com/ow0Zpkm5Yy

— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) June 10, 2016

[T-Bone]

Are you ready?! LET'S GO ARGOS! @TorontoArgos @cfl pic.twitter.com/hx3agtjQCv

— BMO Grounds Crew (@TFC_GroundsDept) June 10, 2016

[paulwoods13]

Argos have made a practice of this during Milanovich's run. Probably to give the #1 a chance to run the 3 minute offence during his time.

If SM is to be believed, Ricky will play only a couple of series so he may not get into the three-minute drill.

[paulwoods13]

That depth chart is a bit weird since it lists McPherson as the starting QB. But if it is otherwise accurate, my primary watches in Q1 on offence will be Sewell at RT, M. Williams at WR and Watman at C (along with Kilgore, of course -- I expect him to start despite what the chart says). On defence, most positions worth watching but especially interested in Spruill at MLB, Rankin at HB and all of the new d-linemen.

[Will]

The Argo depth chart during pre-season is usually secretive. The players are listed in order of their numbers and not any other ranking.

[AngeloV]

The players are listed in order of their numbers and not any other ranking.

Yes, it says right on the posted chart (numeric).

[paulwoods13]

The Argo depth chart during pre-season is usually secretive. The players are listed in order of their numbers and not any other ranking.

Ah, didn't notice that.

[1argoholic]

So will all of you folks heading to the game tomorrow be able to sleep tonight or do you feel like kids at Christmas? I'm pretty sure I'll get depressed but I'm trying hard as hell not to. Who knows when I'll get to a game. Have fun!!

[OgtheDim]

Ti Cat fan and TFC Season Seat Holder (and Ex Argo SSH back in the Sherwood Schwartz days) comes in peace to give a few tips on life at a game at BMO

I have no animosity towards you all. Just want to give you some experience.

First and most important

BMO is WAAAAY more fun then the Dome. Enjoy. BUT, it takes a bit to get in and out.



Weather

Yes, you will have to know what the weather will be like now. Check Toronto Island weather, as its usually 6 degrees colder at the lake then in the city. In the Fall, it will be cold. Layers. Lots and lots of layers.


Transit


The best way into BMO bar none is usually the streetcars in from Union Station or Bathurst. Right now they are stopping at Fleet street and you take a bus to north of the Princes' Gate and walk in. Personally I'd suggest if you come from anywhere north of Bloor on the TTC you take the Bloor line to Ossington and then take the Ossington Bus south to Liberty Village. Then walk under the GO line to the stadium.

Getting out though is very different. Buses to the streetcars line up again north of the Princes' gate. More importantly, the crush of 18-25K of people trying to get out at one time means a LOT of people are trying to take that underpass under the GO line. Have patience if you are doing that.


GO

Great service every 30 minutes. Because of construction, the East bound access is to the East of the GO underpass - it will be congested after the game.

There will be GO cops, so use your Presto.


Parking

Lots around BMO on the Ex grounds but that's the most expensive. If you can walk, park at Lamport or in the lots around Liberty Village. Don't park at the Metro as they tow. Expect to take a awhile to get out. During the Ex, parking will be at a premium everywhere.


Liberty Village

The BEST way to get to your stadium is to take that walk towards the underpass, see the stadium and the lights. Lots of great watering holes (and a Tim's) in Liberty Village for before or after the games. Soooo much better then around SkyDome.



Gettting In


Use the South Entrances as everybody and their kid will be going in the north. Take a 5 minutes walk around - its worth it. Security is much like the dome - wand, bags, no outside food or water, no umbrellas.

In The Stadium

Go to the South Concourse and take a look around. Its gorgeous. The Islands, the view of the downtown, the view of the stadium. Take pics, and show friends to get them to go with you to games.

The East concourse on the second level is a good open space to have a beer with friends before the game.

Beer - lots of choices considering its InBev. Mill Street added this year. And this year, they are letting us walk around with cans in our hands. Yes, they treat you like adults. Hard liquor too, if you want a gin and tonic.

Food - lots of choices beyond hot dogs and popcorn. Best deal is the Tacos on the West concourse but the frites and the pork sandwiches are good too. Not sure what you all will get but hopefully they give you the full menus.

Drink - Coffee and Hot chocolate are $3 and you will want that in September and October.

If you are sitting in the South or on the East side, bring sunglasses and maybe sunscreen.


Sound

Argo game ops will play a lot of music but you'll also notice the stadium can get really loud with the new roof/canopy/umbrella. The West side is really good for stomping feet and the East side holds the sound in.


The Stadium Itself.

OK, we are sharing this thing and I gotta tell you something about it.....its different, its unique and its yours for the day. Its not like TMH. Its not like any other field in the CFL. It has the potential to become a REAL fortress for you all, louder then anything else in the East if you get the bodies in there. Most importantly, its a great stadium to be in. Unlike the Dome, the amenities will be focused on you that day - I remember what it was like in the Dome and how most of you stuck all that out I do not know. BUT, this is your stadium for the day and its up to all of you to make it a home for the Argos. It has a LOT to offer. It will be more fun then the Dome. It has its quirks and its not going to be easy to get in and out of. BUT, its your home now.


Enjoy.

Pax.

[Will]

Welcome aboard and thanks for the advice!