Are We Afraid To Expect Big Things From This Team This Season?

[Rich]

Very tough sched. for the Argos to open the season - in Sask. to face the Riders, then next 3 games = Esks twice + Calgary = have to play 4 games against arguably the top 3 CFL teams (outside of the #1 Argos) out of the gate. Big challenge.

Well if we're gonna be a 12-6 team we need to go at least 4-2 in those first six western games. The best path to a big season is a fast start. Too many times in the last 20 years we started slowly and were forced to play catchup in the second half of the season. That needs to change this year. With the continuity in coaching and personnel from last year, plus a shot of GC championship confidence, we really should expect this team to hit the ground running from the git-go, barring injuries of course.

[Argo57]

2018
18-0
The 18x World Champion Toronto Argonauts!

[Harpastum]

Well I was too conservative in my projection last year - but not this time.
I'm seeing our boys dominating & going 14 & 4.
Then Ray can proudly retire... With another GC!

[Rich]

The best path to a big season is a fast start. Too many times in the last 20 years we started slowly and were forced to play catchup in the second half of the season.

Here's an interesting stat. The Argonauts haven't started a season 3-0 since 1991, 27 long years ago. They couldn't even do it with Flutie under centre.

[ArgoRavi]

Here's an interesting stat. The Argonauts haven't started a season 3-0 since 1991, 27 long years ago. They couldn't even do it with Flutie under centre.

I recall the Argos losing a barnburner to Hamilton in the home opener (second game of regular season) in 1996. Did they lose to Saskatchewan early in 1997?

[Ron]

Don't really care what their season record is as long as they just win 2 or 3 in November. I'll take 9-9 with a Cup win over 16-2 with a playoff loss any day of the week.

[AngeloV]

Don't really care what their season record is as long as they just win 2 or 3 in November. I'll take 9-9 with a Cup win over 16-2 with a playoff loss any day of the week.

Especially if their home games are as entertaining as they were last season.

[Rich]

Don't really care what their season record is as long as they just win 2 or 3 in November. I'll take 9-9 with a Cup win over 16-2 with a playoff loss any day of the week.

That's because you're a diehard. But a casual sports fan is more likely to be interested in, let's say, a 10-2 team than they would be in a 6-6 team.

[jerrym]

That's because you're a diehard. But a casual sports fan is more likely to be interested in, let's say, a 10-2 team than they would be in a 6-6 team.

One example of what happens with the casual sports fan is the Vancouver Canucks who sold out for years, but with their fall in the standings now have their lowest attendance level in 16 years - a 20% decline.

[Will]

I recall the Argos losing a barnburner to Hamilton in the home opener (second game of regular season) in 1996. Did they lose to Saskatchewan early in 1997?

Yes

[gilthethrill]

I recall the Argos losing a barnburner to Hamilton in the home opener (second game of regular season) in 1996. Did they lose to Saskatchewan early in 1997?

I believe I was in attendance that night....Matt Dunnigan was at the helm for Hamilton while Flutie was making his Argo home debut. What a QB match up.

[mchesher03]

Especially if their home games are as entertaining as they were last season.

Like Angelo here I’ll take exciting games over ugly wins as a fan. Granted I acknowledge the point is to “win the game” but last season was so much fun, very exciting well played football for the most part.

Almost the polar opposite of the 2016 home schedule – and especially that Calgary game where it was more or less men against boys.

[argolio]

I believe I was in attendance that night....Matt Dunnigan was at the helm for Hamilton while Flutie was making his Argo home debut. What a QB match up.

Jake Ireland was the ref. I know because I specifically remember yelling at him during that game.

[gilthethrill]

Jake Ireland was the ref. I know because I specifically remember yelling at him during that game.

Who was the back judge for that game?

[argolio]

Who was the back judge for that game?

I'll go with Jacques DeCarie.

[doubleblue]

Jake Ireland was the ref. I know because I specifically remember yelling at him during that game.

Lol. Good one. You and many others. Jake was, and probably still is up in the booth, a polarizing figure.

[Will]

I'll go with Jacques DeCarie.

He passed a few years ago.

[gilthethrill]

Jake Ireland was the ref. I know because I specifically remember yelling at him during that game.

Telling him what a good job he was doing no doubt.

[Will]

An issue that the Argos have faced in the past 20 years is instability and/or injuries at QB. You can almost take a look at every year.

1998 -- Argos QB situation unstable at beginning of year.
1999-2002 -- Argos QB situation tenuous.
2003 -- I don't think Allen missed any time at beginning of year.
2004 -- Allen missed time in middle of year, but Argos lost a few early games to Ottawa & Montreal
2005 -- Allen healthy for most of year, Argos lost home opener to BC
2006-2007 -- Allen and Bishop respectively were hurt leading to slow starts
2008-2009 -- I've blocked these two years out of my memory
2010-2011 -- Bad QBs
2012-2017 -- Ray era, but he's missed significant time in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016

[AngeloV]

An issue that the Argos have faced in the past 20 years is instability and/or injuries at QB. You can almost take a look at every year.

1998 -- Argos QB situation unstable at beginning of year.
1999-2002 -- Argos QB situation tenuous.
2003 -- I don't think Allen missed any time at beginning of year.
2004 -- Allen missed time in middle of year, but Argos lost a few early games to Ottawa & Montreal
2005 -- Allen healthy for most of year, Argos lost home opener to BC
2006-2007 -- Allen and Bishop respectively were hurt leading to slow starts
2008-2009 -- I've blocked these two years out of my memory
2010-2011 -- Bad QBs
2012-2017 -- Ray era, but he's missed significant time in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016

Great research and summary there. Hard to be consistently good under those circumstances at QB.