GAME THREAD / Week 18 / Winnipeg @ Toronto

[argolio]

Where did this deal of Wilder being fat early in the season come from?

[doubleblue]

Funny looking back now at all the posts from the beginning of the season saying how bad Wilder is.

Not me. I wanted Wilder doing what's he's doing, check. Washington at RG, check. Noel in for for some deep balls. Not checked off yet.

[Will]

Where did this deal of Wilder being fat early in the season come from?

I think Wilder admitted that he had to lose some weight to adjust to the demands of the Canadian game.

Did the team do anything different for Fan Appreciation Day yesterday ?
I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary.

Nothing really.

[doubleblue]

I think Wilder admitted that he had to lose some weight to adjust to the demands of the Canadian game.



Nothing really.

Thanks for coming. Y'all come back now.

[Rich]

Where did this deal of Wilder being fat early in the season come from?

I think it's fake news. The word at training camp was what an amazing physical specimen this guy was. I don't think he had very many extra pounds to lose. He sure doesn't look any different physically than he did at the start of the season.

To me it's obvious that the difference with Wilder is that the o-Line is opening up some beautiful holes for him that they weren't doing nearly as much before. In preseason and in the first part of the season Wilder had 4 or 5 brilliant carries which provided hints that he could be a very special back. But more often than not he was getting stuffed, and he was hesitating too much, because the openings simply were not there. Now they are.

[AngeloV]

I think it's fake news. The word at training camp was what an amazing physical specimen this guy was. I don't think he had very many extra pounds to lose. He sure doesn't look any different physically than he did at the start of the season.

To me it's obvious that the difference with Wilder is that the o-Line is opening up some beautiful holes for him that they weren't doing nearly as much before. In preseason and in the first part of the season Wilder had 4 or 5 brilliant carries which provided hints that he could be a very special back. But more often than not he was getting stuffed, and he was hesitating too much, because the openings simply were not there. Now they are.

That's a big part of it, but it's also tough to be instinctive when you are only getting 4 or so touches a game as he was early. I think that Trestman made him earn his way into a starting spot by doing hard work on special teams. Writing him off prior to seeing him really play was a knee jerk reaction, of which you will see plenty on message boards of every team.

[ArgoZ]

That's a big part of it, but it's also tough to be instinctive when you are only getting 4 or so touches a game as he was early. I think that Trestman made him earn his way into a starting spot by doing hard work on special teams. Writing him off prior to seeing him really play was a knee jerk reaction, of which you will see plenty on message boards of every team.

Reminds me of when Austin would roll Ricky Williams out on a sweep and everyone would wonder why he didn't break through the whole D and dominate. Williams goes back to the NFL and has a decent season.

[Rich]

That's a big part of it, but it's also tough to be instinctive when you are only getting 4 or so touches a game as he was early. I think that Trestman made him earn his way into a starting spot by doing hard work on special teams. Writing him off prior to seeing him really play was a knee jerk reaction, of which you will see plenty on message boards of every team.

More carries for Wilder and better run blocking are both indicative of The Professor's commitment to the run game and a truly diversified offence, something a lot of people around here didn't think he was capable of.

[Jon Gonzo]

More carries for Wilder and better run blocking are both indicative of The Professor's commitment to the run game and a truly diversified offence, something a lot of people around here didn't think he was capable of.

It is interesting to compare to work of the master (this year), to the work of the understudy (the past several seasons). There is no question, in my books, that either of those titles will be threatened moving forward. We clearly have the better coach now. He is a better motivator, he a consummately patient team-concept person, and he has an elastic, adaptable tactical mind.

This team is well coached and well represented. And because of it, this team has a decent shot at a Grey Cup this year, and I anticipate for many seasons to come.

[AngeloV]

It is interesting to compare to work of the master (this year), to the work of the understudy (the past several seasons). There is no question, in my books, that either of those titles will be threatened moving forward. We clearly have the better coach now. He is a better motivator, he a consummately patient team-concept person, and he has an elastic, adaptable tactical mind.

This team is well coached and well represented. And because of it, this team has a decent shot at a Grey Cup this year, and I anticipate for many seasons to come.

He also has a lot of better players to work with and a healthy QB.

[Jon Gonzo]

He also has a lot of better players to work with and a healthy QB.

Drew Willy was healthy last year (;

[RB957]

Drew Willy was healthy last year (;

He still is healthy. Sitting on the bench or standing on the sideline will do that for you. In both official languages.

[RB957]

The only things different I noticed and it was minor was a thank you fans near the end of the game on the scoreboard monitor...which is more than last year. Maybe a few extra givaways during the game.

On the way out they were giving out football shaped 'piggy banks' with the World Financial Group sponsor on them. Doubt I'll use them but they'll be nice desk ornaments.

Did the team do anything different for Fan Appreciation Day yesterday ?
I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary.

The below info was just posted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on what they are giving away to fans at their final home game. The Argos could and should have done a lot more for their loyal fans.

Fans are encouraged to stay in their seats for a chance to win the following prizes during the game:

A trip to the 105th Grey Cup in Ottawa (a pair of game tickets and VIA Rail transportation)
A pair of 2018 Ticats season seats
Team autographed jerseys
Tiger-Cats Shop gift cards
Tim Hortons gift cards
Tiger-Cats novelty capes, courtesy of TELUS
Ticats fidget spinners
Stipley Neighbourhood flags
Mini footballs, courtesy of FirstOntario Credit Union and Turkstra Lumber
Ticats frisbees, courtesy of Grain Farmers of Ontario
Thunder sticks, courtesy of belairdirect
2017 Vanier Cup tickets
Copies of Angelo Mosca’s autobiography, ‘Tell Me to My Face’
Bags of chips, courtesy of Old Dutch
Candy samples, courtesy of Wrigley

[argotom]

The below info was just posted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on what they are giving away to fans at their final home game. The Argos could and should have done a lot more for their loyal fans.

Fans are encouraged to stay in their seats for a chance to win the following prizes during the game:

A trip to the 105th Grey Cup in Ottawa (a pair of game tickets and VIA Rail transportation)
A pair of 2018 Ticats season seats
Team autographed jerseys
Tiger-Cats Shop gift cards
Tim Hortons gift cards
Tiger-Cats novelty capes, courtesy of TELUS
Ticats fidget spinners
Stipley Neighbourhood flags
Mini footballs, courtesy of FirstOntario Credit Union and Turkstra Lumber
Ticats frisbees, courtesy of Grain Farmers of Ontario
Thunder sticks, courtesy of belairdirect
2017 Vanier Cup tickets
Copies of Angelo Mosca’s autobiography, ‘Tell Me to My Face’
Bags of chips, courtesy of Old Dutch
Candy samples, courtesy of Wrigley

Wow, what a difference.
At saturday's game there was absolutely nothing for the fans.

[GregR]

Yes I was surprised also as they had called it Fan Appreciation Day in an email. Not even the usual t-shirts thrown into the stands.

[jerrym]

Wilder has been named Top Performer of the Week for the second time thanks to his almost 200 yards rushing and receiving.