Official Toronto Argonauts-Ottawa RedBlacks Game Thread September 7, 2019

[gilthethrill]

That's how you burn the blitz, but Wilder didn't need to show boat.

The team was 1 -9...let him have some fun.

[paulwoods13]

Wow... you nailed this. Any insight on tonight's 6-49, lol?

I don't, and I haven't even seen today's game yet (had to attend a memorial celebration of life) but I did really have an inkling something like this was about to happen.

[Jon Gonzo]

See what great leadership does for team in sports? Bear Woods was ALL OVER the place, and ALL OVER the players. He drilled them to stay focused. He was on Wilder too. As good as Awe is, it's great to see Bear back on the field.

He and MBT are two very tough hombres.

[ArgoGabe22]

Can anyone confirm that 10 Canadians started? No wonder we haven’t heard from OV, he’s still out celebrating somewhere.

[doubleblue]

Can anyone confirm that 10 Canadians started? No wonder we haven’t heard from OV, he’s still out celebrating somewhere.

10 starters? Let see, There may have been 10 that played a lot. 4 Off Linemen. Ralph at WR and FB Cross alternating. Laing and Smith on the DL. Herdman-Reid until he was injured.
Woodson started at one corner and Boateng came in for Darby, and Gabriel played some as well in the 2nd half. That's 12 and we know Levi Noel could start if needed. Cibasu started while Cross was injured. Pretty impressive. You have to give Jim Popp and his Canadian scouts a thumbs up. Only two busts, Woods and Foster since Popp came on board. And of course JIm Barker did a good job bringing in the older Canadian vets on the team.

[argolio]

Can anyone confirm that 10 Canadians started? No wonder we haven’t heard from OV, he’s still out celebrating somewhere.

Not totally sure -- I think it was usually 8, and varied from 7 to 9 depending on regular substitutions and injuries.

This was a really good win coming off a short week, playing on the road, and against a team coming off a bye. Defence gave up some yards but no big plays and only one major, and caused turnovers. Great job bailing out MBT's second interception.

MBT bounced back from every turnover and moved the ball. O-line had a couple of breakdowns but played pretty well overall. Ottawa's D is the strength of their team, and we dominated them for most of the game. Two (!) TDs from the running game is a good sign.

Hopefully this game eases the pressure and allows the team to play confident football the rest of the season.

[Bleeds Double Blue]

On the one hand I am absolutely delighted that the Argos won a blowout road game for the first time since I was a young man. Okay, maybe not that long.

On the other hand I am bitterly disappointed to find that after setting my PVR to record the game (it was a work day) I ended up with a semi-final tennis match instead. Thank you TSN for switching your programming.

[paulwoods13]

Only two busts, Woods and Foster since Popp came on board.

For the record, both guys were drafted before Popp arrived/

[doubleblue]

For the record, both guys were drafted before Popp arrived/

I would like a second opinion on that one. Barker had traded away the first round pick for that year but was gone before the draft. So I believe it was Jim's first draft with the Argos.

[doubleblue]

I would like a second opinion on that one. Barker had traded away the first round pick for that year but was gone before the draft. So I believe it was Jim's first draft with the Argos.

Just looked it up. For the record Jim Popp was signed by the Argos February 28, 2017. Mason Woods and Foster were drafted that spring by Jim who obviously didn't know what he was doing. But he must have had a few coffees to get his heart started by the 4th round and picked Woodson. Has done pretty good ever since.

[Will]

DE Robbie Smith is coming along nicely.

[AngeloV]

Just looked it up. For the record Jim Popp was signed by the Argos February 28, 2017. Mason Woods and Foster were drafted that spring by Jim who obviously didn't know what he was doing. But he must have had a few coffees to get his heart started by the 4th round and picked Woodson. Has done pretty good ever since.

Whether people want to believe it or not, the Canadian draft for the most part is a crap shoot. My guess is there are more players drafted deeper in the draft that are successful than first rounders. I really think people put way too much emphasis on the first round, which is why I never have a problem trading a first round pick. In fact, I would always trade a first round pick for multiple picks further down in the draft if I was a GM.

IMO, Woodson is as good a Canadian DB as there is in the league. I’ve been calling for him to start for the last couple of years. Probably also the best tackler we have in the secondary.

[paulwoods13]

Just looked it up. For the record Jim Popp was signed by the Argos February 28, 2017. Mason Woods and Foster were drafted that spring by Jim who obviously didn't know what he was doing. But he must have had a few coffees to get his heart started by the 4th round and picked Woodson. Has done pretty good ever since.

Oops, my mistake, good catch. I must have confused the draft with that year's free agency which was handled by Zimmerman et al.

[argonaut11xx]

It's been so long since we won a game that wasn't close, I'm wondering whether our next win, whenever it comes, might be a blowout.

Good call Paul,

[Argo57]

DE Robbie Smith is coming along nicely.

I was thinking the same thing watching the game yesterday, good pick by Toronto.

[gilthethrill]

Whether people want to believe it or not, the Canadian draft for the most part is a crap shoot. My guess is there are more players drafted deeper in the draft that are successful than first rounders. I really think people put way too much emphasis on the first round, which is why I never have a problem trading a first round pick. In fact, I would always trade a first round pick for multiple picks further down in the draft if I was a GM.

IMO, Woodson is as good a Canadian DB as there is in the league. I’ve been calling for him to start for the last couple of years. Probably also the best tackler we have in the secondary.

The Argos have not drafted particularly well in the top rounds, but looking at the roster, late picks have really panned out.

[OV Argo]

Not near as many Argo gear wearing fans at Lansdowne for this game as in the past ? Nice game day and still a nice stadium to see a game - had a good time even if there were not as many Argo fans to celebrate with (had to keep my Arrrrrgoooos chant to a dull roar - sitting with my RedBlacks season ticket holder buddies who were nice enough to offer me a ticket ;o) ) Not a big crowd - plenty of empty seats - maybe some feared the rain forecast, but also a lot of Ottawa fans may have given up on this putrid team already ? Desjardins & Campbell are both candidates to be punted wayyyyy out of town IMO (what type of moron brings in Joe Paopao and thinks that dullard could help their offence - no wonder it is a joke ??? GOB deluxe there)

Argos looking better - MacBeth learning and getting better - and a strong receiving corps to throw too (Noel should be playing more though IMO - have him replace Smith or Ralph at times for some different looks); Declan Cross no longer any factor to get the ball and make yards and truck some DBs though - and this is a mistake IMO - Ottawa offence similarly to dumb to use a big H-back like Beauieu = ultra predictable / lacking variety CFL offences. Argo defence is getting better too - Bear Woods showed he can still play and help lots; Coleman is a solid DT; Woodson & Robbie Smith are 2 classic examples of under-rated Canadian talent who show they can play very well when given a CFL chance; secondary still weak in allowing receivers to get open wayyyyy too often though.

RedBlacks are the worst team in the league now IMO - yep, worse than the gong show in BC.

West cross-over a done deal unless the Argo go on a late season tear / win streak ?

[REAL]

Cross gets no targets at all ?

[Blue90]

Someone should remind MBT that the Argos are wearing the white jerseys.

Good point.

Perhaps an eye test would be helpful. He doesn't seem to identify when receivers are covered, and not throw the ball.

[AngeloV]

Good point.

Perhaps an eye test would be helpful. He doesn't seem to identify when receivers are covered, and not throw the ball.

Your expertise at QBing tells you that?