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

**Argo57** · 06-10-2016, 08:41 PM

Anyone meeting up outside the stadium tomorrow?

**R.J** · 06-10-2016, 08:43 PM

Argos host Tiger-Cats in their first game at BMO Field
http://www.tsn.ca/argos-host-tiger-c...field-1.505179

**1argoholic** · 06-10-2016, 09:01 PM

I guess the best thing about being back on the CNE grounds is that Liberty Village has become a cool place. Back in the CNE days that was a dump of an area with no real trendy name.

**Neely2005** · 06-10-2016, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by 1argoholic

I guess the best thing about being back on the CNE grounds is that Liberty Village has become a cool place. Back in the CNE days that was a dump of an area with no real trendy name.

Yeah they've been revitalizing the area since about 1998. (We used to live in King West Village)

**R.J** · 06-10-2016, 09:21 PM

Kilgore will start; Ray will play
http://www.argonauts.ca/2016/06/09/w...eir-eyes-open/

A couple of series at most for Ray it seems.

**R.J** · 06-11-2016, 11:06 AM

http://www.cfl.ca/2016/06/11/argos-t...out-squad-bmo/

**Ron** · 06-11-2016, 11:21 AM

Drove closely past BMO at 6am today and it looked quite good decked out in some Argo blue.

**ArgoRavi** · 06-11-2016, 01:59 PM

The Argos will have an additional QB in their lineup today as Mitchell Gale has returned to the Double Blue.

**Wobbler** · 06-11-2016, 02:11 PM

I was surprised that we didn't sign a fifth guy before now - someone needs to push Kilgore for the #2 spot. True, there weren't a lot of experienced guys available, but I like this signing.

**jerrym** · 06-11-2016, 02:13 PM

Kilgore talks about learning from Ray and change from TC to game.

"He's got a great arm, good football mind."

Logan Kilgore takes the reins today agains the @Ticats #CFLGameDay https://t.co/KGQi3g4Fm5
— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) June 11, 2016

**jerrym** · 06-11-2016, 02:24 PM

Zicarelli comments on the game.

The Argos have become accustomed to having all kinds of adversity thrown at the — a team once known for its nomadic existence, an indifferent owner who had no emotional ties to the club, no place to practice, no support from their previous landlord and no excuses.
Compared to what they’ve had to deal with in the past four years, playing the first of 18 regular season games on a short week seems trivial by comparison. But the CFL did the Argos no favour by scheduling the exhibition finale on June 17 and then forcing the Argos to play their home opener on June 23. For some strange reason, the June 17 kickoff in Montreal will be broadcast by TSN, the same outfit that provided zero attention to the Argos, at 8 p.m., no less. ...
Saturday’s pre-season opener at BMO Field, where coaches and players will arrive early for the 4 p.m. start to acquaint themselves with their new home, is the first dress rehearsal for this group. ...

The date that matters most is June 23, which happens to fall on the same night of the NBA draft, one night before the NHL draft, the Raptors holding a lottery slot and the Maple Leafs having the first overall pick, respectively. Naturally, the Argos will get lost in the sporting shuffle. You would think the CFL would have found a date to showcase the Argos’ new beginning with no competition, or at least find a slot with very little competing agenda. But that’s another story.
The story that matters for the Argos is how they’ll line up for June 23. Two weeks of camp almost feels like two months when the grind increases, when injuries mount and when players are anxious to start a season. No one has said a bad word about Guelph because there’s nothing bad about the university, its expanding facilities and how the Argos have been treated.
“It’s getting there,’’ said head coach Scott Milanovich of the growing anxiety to play a game that matters. “You get to the point where you’re into the second and third week of training camp and everyone gets itching to go do it for real. Coaches start worrying about injuries late in the camp, all that kind of stuff.” There’s a good mix of veterans and rookies, many of whom aren’t true rookies given their NFL experience, that have been assembled, depth, seemingly, at all positions, but no team clearly has an idea of what they’ve acquired until the proverbial bullets start flying. “Right now I’m pretty excited at where we’re at,’’ added Milanovich.
Getting into BMO is something the Argos have craved, a long overdue move that will at least give them a chance to attract fans. There are limitations, including an end zone that is 17 yards, three yards shorter than the CFL norm, artificial turf being used with grass surrounding the goalline to goalline area. The media, which has completely ignored the team at camp, was given a tour on Friday, which is odd because the players have never seen the football configuration and they should have been first. “Our guys haven’t seen it and I won’t see it until Saturday,’’ added Milanovich. “I was there right after the season was over. We’re excited about that. We’re going to get there earlier than we normally would. Before we do our pre-game (routine) they can kind of get out there and feel comfortable with their surroundings.”
BMO Field is the only grass surface in the CFL. Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium once had a grass surface only to be replaced by artificial turf. Ricky Ray played at Commonwealth and noticed how opposing teams had a tough time adjusting to the grass field. “When I was in Edmonton, it seemed like we had a bit of a mental advantage when teams came in because they were so used to playing on turf,’’ said Ray. “They’d come out and try to get used to whatever kind of footwear they’d use. It made them think about it a little more than we had to. Hopefully that will be the same for us at BMO. We’ll get used to the playing conditions and obviously the end zone will play a big factor with them being shorter. We’re going to be used to that more than other teams coming in. If they (opponents) have to worry about footing, adjusting to end zones throughout the game, hopefully that’ll give us an edge.”
Ray hasn’t given much thought to the start of the season when there’s always improvements that can be made before June 23. He’s more excited for the city, the fans and the organization with the move to BMO. “It’s going to be a lot of fun to be part of that,’’ he said. Ray likes what he’s seen in practice and in locker room. “We’ve got a very good squad,’’ he said. “We’ve got an exciting team this year.”

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/06/10...mo-field-debut

**jerrym** · 06-11-2016, 02:51 PM

Tiger Cat depth chart:

Here's who's taking the field for the #Ticats in the @tphcanada Depth Chart. pic.twitter.com/ltAQCh6cHY
— Hamilton Tiger-Cats (@Ticats) June 11, 2016

**jerrym** · 06-11-2016, 02:57 PM

Following the #Ticats to Toronto? It's going to be a warm one, but there's no rain in the forecast! pic.twitter.com/w3VNO7jufc
— Hamilton Tiger-Cats (@Ticats) June 11, 2016

**jerrym** · 06-11-2016, 03:02 PM

They're on the way. Let's send the Tiger Can'ts home with the their tail between their legs and end any thoughts of the pleasure displayed here in the rematch in less than two weeks.

BMO Field, meet TigerTown.#Ticats #CFLGameday https://t.co/Uj5jM8YE0O
— Hamilton Tiger-Cats (@Ticats) June 11, 2016

**jerrym** · 06-11-2016, 03:07 PM

Game preview (make that propaganda) from the archenemy.

http://ticats.ca/video/game-preview-june-11th

**ArgoZ** · 06-11-2016, 05:39 PM

13-10 for the Cats at halftime, here's the boys entering the field.

https://instagram.com/p/BGh4EzDgnUUX...YdVmmLgmAuJo0/

**PullTogether73** · 06-11-2016, 06:11 PM

Diontae Spencer has been sitting on the trainers' table since the first quarter when they were working on him. He just took an ice pack off his lower back. Hopefully not a serious injury.

**Neely2005** · 06-11-2016, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by ArgoRavi

The Argos will have an additional QB in their lineup today as Mitchell Gale has returned to the Double Blue.

Was a pleasant surprise to see him warming up on the sideline.

**jerrym** · 06-11-2016, 08:02 PM

Good to see Kilgore and Gale do well in the Argo victory as it somewhat quietens my concerns about a backup.

T.J. Heath had two interceptions and Logan Kilgore threw a touchdown pass to Vidal Hazelton, leading the Argos to a 25-16 win over the rival Ticats in their pre-season opener at BMO Field. 16,168
The 16,168 announced fans in attendance couldn’t have asked for better weather for the team’s first game at BMO, as Double Blue supporters tailgated outside before enjoying an efficient showing from Kilgore and a second-half comeback win over a hated rival.
Kilgore threw for 107 yards on 8-of-13 passing for a touchdown and no interceptions, helping his bid for the backup quarterback position, while Mitchell Gale’s perfect 6-for-6 drive in the fourth quarter capped off by a Wallace Miles touchdown grab put the game away with 2:50 remaining.
Ticats starter Jeremiah Masoli was efficient but failed to get the Ticats on the board in his two first-quarter possessions, and on the other hand Jeff Mathews showed some good and some bad in throwing for 176 yards and a touchdown on 8-of-14 passing but also throwing two interceptions.
Brett Maher was a perfect 2-for-2 on field goals for the Ticats while Cody Mandell was 1-for-2 but hit a 50-yarder.
Ricky Ray played entered for the Argos in the second quarter but failed to pick up a first down on two possessions while completing one of three passing attempts. ...

Kilgore got the chance to go first in the Argo offence and didn’t disappoint, completing seven of his first eight passes as the Argos stormed out to a 10-0 lead.
The 26-year-old Middle Tennessee State product looked comfortable in the pocket and confident in his arm early on, finding an open Kenny Shaw to the 50 then on a second down play threading the needle to Hazelton for a first down into Ticats’ territory.
Fighting for the second spot on the Argos’ depth chart this pre-season, Kilgore twice moved the chains on third and short and three times converted lengthy second-down plays, including a pass in the end zone to a wide open Hazelton on second and 13.
The 17-yard score gave the Argos a 7-0 lead, capping off a 15-play drive that took 8:21 off the clock.
The lead got to 10-0 on a 37-yard field goal by newcomer Lirim Hajrullahu, while the Ticats would punt once more before ending the first quarter down by a touchdown and a three-pointer.
After a strong two possessions for Kilgore, the Argos turned their offence over to Ray, but the veteran in his first full season back from shoulder surgery failed to get any momentum. The Argos went two-and-out twice with Ray on the field while Ray went 1-for-3 before letting rookie pivot Cody Fajardo take over.
In one of the biggest roster competitions to watch throughout training camp, the Ticats ended Masoli’s day early in the second quarter and made the switch to 24-year-old Mathews. And after Masoli failed to generate any scoring on 6-of-9 passing, Mathews provided the Ticat offence the spark it needed.
His second passing attempt of the game was a 50-yard strike to a wide open Tiquan Underwood behind the Argos’ secondary, cutting the deficit to 10-7 and giving Mathews a nice step in front on the quarterback competition with 10:35 left in the first half.
Mathews and the ‘Cats looked to strike again shortly after, but after a 51-yard completion to Matt Coates deep in Argos territory he was intercepted by Heath on a second down play near the goal line.

http://www.cfl.ca/games/2268/hamilto...nauts/#preview