Should Franklin Start On Saturday?

[paulwoods13]

Although, MBT seemed to have spread the ball around in his first two starts. Not sure what happened afterwards? Teams watched the film on him, i guess.

He also lost Coombs after one game, basically. He's no all-star but as I've said before, he is a unique talent whom defences have to account for more than anyone who replaces him in that spot.

That said, MBT seemed to lock in too much on Green and Wilder last night. Edwards and Smith each had a few targets, Alford and Noel had maybe two each, Cross had none.

[Argo57]

Although, MBT seemed to have spread the ball around in his first two starts. Not sure what happened afterwards? Teams watched the film on him, i guess.

Take Green and Edwards out of the game and force MBT to throw elsewhere.

[RB957]

From CFL stats site, here is a comparison between Franklin and MBT:

Comp Att % Yards TD INT Effic. Int % Ave.

Franklin 93 142 65.5 979 3 6 74.6 4.2 6.8
MBT 83 132 62.9 1021 6 2 95.5 1.5 7.7

Big difference is obviously the number of INT's, and fewer TD passes, but beyond that not a lot to separate between the two. The real reason that Franklin was pulled was because the Argos had lost 3 of his 4 starts, and they had to do something at that early stage in the season to try and turn things around. MBT then wins 2 games, in exciting come from behind fashion, but has now lost two. While the losses are not his fault, someone else has pointed out his tendency to overthrow receivers and throw into double coverage. It is possible that now that some video has been compiled, opposing teams have learned more about him. However, play calling and poor play by the receivers are also factors, and are outside his control.

Given where we are at this point, I think MBT should still get the next start, but if we lose at home against the Ti-Cats, then IMO our playoff hopes are dismal. So if we are struggling in the game and the offence isn't clicking, I would switch back to Franklin and see what happens. I still believe long term that there is a greater upside to Franklin as our QB, so at some point, he has to be given that chance and just go with it, taking his lumps if he has to. That's the only way he is going to learn and develop.

[argolio]

MBT has been the better QB on the whole, so I'd start him.

I fear for whoever plays QB the rest of the season because I don't think our receiving corps scares anybody.

[ArgoRavi]

Stick with Bethel-Thompson for this Saturday's game and then re-evaluate, if necessary, during the bye week.

MBT did not have a good fourth quarter last night but I didn't think he was bad in the first three quarters. He still has outperformed Franklin IMO. Having said that, I still think that Franklin has a bright future with the Argos.

[AngeloV]

I’m good with either one starting. I might be inclined to go back to Franklin if I had the choice. MBT has proven to be more than adequate IMO, so at least you would have a quality guy ready to come off the bench if needed. I agree MBT has been better than Franklin was as a whole, but I am also intrigued to see how Franklin took his demotion. It might be the spark he needed.
Having said that, offence has been the least of the teams problems this year.

[Argo57]

At this point I’d start MBT on Saturday as he has been getting all the starters reps.

[ArgoGabe22]

At this point I’d start MBT on Saturday as he has been getting all the starters reps.

Trestman sticking with MBT. https://www.cfl.ca/2018/09/05/oleary...icking-script/

[Neely2005]

It's a short week so I'd wait 1 more game.

[Rich]

It's a short week so I'd wait 1 more game.

Yeah, a short week is a bad time for a QB switch, but we are desperate for a win and desperate times call for desperate measures. Let's hope that if MBT continues to struggle, Franklin might see the field in the 2nd half.

[R.J]

Trestman sticking with MBT. https://www.cfl.ca/2018/09/05/oleary...icking-script/

Shocking...

[ArgoRavi]

Yeah, a short week is a bad time for a QB switch, but we are desperate for a win and desperate times call for desperate measures. Let's hope that if MBT continues to struggle, Franklin might see the field in the 2nd half.

Trestman doesn't tend to be keen on making a QB change in the middle of a game. The only time I can recall him doing so in the CFL was when Fajardo replaced Mathews at halftime of the loss in Montreal last year.

[Stevoman]

New post in an old thread but the title still applies. Should Franklin start on Saturday, I say yes!

[mchesher03]

After this game Franklin will start again I think. Really after the inevitable loss on Saturday (hate being a downer but I don’t see how the good guys prevail), may as well start evaluating guys for next year – see if Carter can mesh with Franklin, why not.Once the hope of a playoff berth is out of the question, at least just give us some exciting plays and a reason to come down to the stadium.

[Rich]

I'll be very surprised if Franklin doesn't start against the Riders. The team's been practising since at least Monday, and we haven't heard a single word from anybody about anything, it's like the fricking Kremlin. The secrecy leads me to believe we've got a surprise or two in store for Saturday.

[lazycro]

I think they were back at the field Saturday

[R.J]

McLeod John Baltazar Bethel-Thompson is getting the first team reps, so barring an injury I think it's a safe bet that he starts.

[AngeloV]

I'll be very surprised if Franklin doesn't start against the Riders. The team's been practising since at least Monday, and we haven't heard a single word from anybody about anything, it's like the fricking Kremlin. The secrecy leads me to believe we've got a surprise or two in store for Saturday.

First practice was actually Tuesday. They did a short walk through only on Saturday.

[Will]

Yes.
He probably won't.

[ArgoGabe22]

I hope MBT has a short leash if he struggles. Its now or never.