Game Thread Argos at Stampeders Thursday July 18th

[BantOarsman]

Hey all, I wrote up a game summary for CFL Fans Only on Facebook

Your thoughts? What's you think of the decision to punt with 2:39 remaining? Can we spin this loss pretty?

The Argos Report: 19-July-2019

The Toronto Argonauts lost their fifth game of the season to the Calgary Stampeders in a mistake-filled game that saw the Argonauts turn the ball over seven times. Calgary managed to score 22 of their 26 points following those costly turnovers, five of which happened in the Stampeders' half of the field, leading to a 26-16 final score.

Argonauts fans are furious at the result, and calls for GM Jim Popp, HC Corey Chamblin, or OC Jacques Chapdelaine to be fired are mounting. One should be careful when cherry-picking numbers to make a loss look flattering, but if you remove the turnovers from the stat-line you would swear the Argonauts had won this game. In spite of the aforementioned turnover stat, they were still in the game until the waning minutes. They had nearly twice the offensive production and their defense put forth their best effort of the season, forcing 10 punts, getting to Nick Arbuckle four times, intercepting him twice, and limiting Rogers, Ambles, and Begelton to 65 yards receiving combined! Other bright spots were the play of Justin Herdman-Reed, getting his first start at middle-linebacker, and Micah Awe, who had his best game as an Argo, having moved to the will linebacker position. At a key juncture at the end of the third quarter, he picked-off a pass at midfield and returned it deep into Stampeder territory. He made an impact from sideline to sideline and was part of the effort that limited Calgary to 85 yards rushing.

In the end, the mistakes could not be overcome by the solid defensive effort. McLeod Bethel Thompson served up four interceptions, and was part of a bad handoff exchange that led to a fumble. James Wilder Junior had a large impact on the game with 112 yards from scrimmage and a TD, but was part of the aforementioned fumble. He also took a holding penalty, and came up short on third-and-one gamble.

A pivotal play came in the opening possession of the third quarter with the Argos threatening to usurp the lead. Armanti Edwards fumbled having been hit by two Stampeders, the second which produced an audible crack from a helmet to helmet blow. There was no penalty on the play, and coach Chamblin chose not to challenge it. It's possible the league will review it this week. In any case, it was arguably the turning point of the game, as Tre Roberson returned the fumble 93 yards for a touchdown that put the Stamps ahead 19-9.

Corey Chamblin will be on the hot seat for a few questionable decisions in the game. Down two scores with just 2:39 remaining he elected to punt from the Argos' 44 on 3rd and 9. In another moment he showed unrestrained anger when he mercilessly berated DE Robbie Smith following the rookie's second penalty. Chamblin kept in the player's face for an uncomfortably long verbal assault. It will be interesting to see how his players respond to this outburst from their head coach. It's notable that veteran Tyler Holmes didn't get the same treatment when he took two penalties on an Argos' drive earlier in the game.

While the loss was upsetting, and the turnovers infuriating, there were some notable improvements in the team's effort and execution. Could their first win come next week vs the Edmonton Eskimos, who will be coming off of a short week?

Other bright spots:

- The Argos seem to have settled on the kicking duo that they should have settled on coming out if training camp. Medeiros and Crapigna, both brought back after being released by the Argos earlier in the year, each played well.
- The defensive line had their best game, with plenty of push inside from Cleyon Laing and Ken Bishop, and a solid effort from DEs Fred Bishop, Tobi Antigha, and 2019 draft selection Robbie Smith
Draft pick Matt Boateng is growing game by game in the secondary