Game Thread: Ottawa at Toronto Saturday, October 26th

[argotom]

There is absolutely no way the team can sell MBT coming in next year to compete for a starter position.
Just like last year, the team has to go the FA route and unlike last year to appease what is left of the fan base and us season ticket holders we have to sign Masoli to be our "saviour".
Bring Prokup and O'Connor only back to battle for either one or both spots.
MBT is done.

[Blue90]

There is absolutely no way the team can sell MBT coming in next year to compete for a starter position.
Just like last year, the team has to go the FA route and unlike last year to appease what is left of the fan base and us season ticket holders we have to sign Masoli to be our "saviour".
Bring Prokup and O'Connor only back to battle for either one or both spots.
MBT is done.

Hopefully this is the last time we have to see MBT.

Both of the young QBs are far better and more accurate passers. Why weren't these two guys given a chance earlier this year, instead of MBT and Franklin?

[argotom]

Hopefully this is the last time we have to see MBT.

Both of the young QBs are far better and more accurate passers. Why weren't these two guys given a chance earlier this year, instead of MBT and Franklin?

Absolutely, most of us here were calling for these two to see starter action earlier in the season even after the 0-6 start, most definitely when it became apparent this was a disasterous season.
Chamblin like Trestman last year, has been stubborn beyond belief in giving the two horrendous QB's all of the playing time.

[SkalbaniasGhost]

O'Connor should get the start next week. Worthy, Ouellette and Smith played well.
I would like to see Damion Jeanpiere and Kurleigh Gittens get playing time at receiver next week.

[Will]

Prukop should get the start next week.

[SkalbaniasGhost]

Absolutely, most of us here were calling for these two to see starter action earlier in the season even after the 0-6 start, most definitely when it became apparent this was a disasterous season.
Chamblin like Trestman last year, has been stubborn beyond belief in giving the two horrendous QB's all of the playing time.

This has been a pattern throughout the CFL for the past several years.Teams seem reluctant to pull starters when games seem out of reach.Hamilton kept Dane Evans and Brandon Banks in Today's game late into the fourth quarter.Mike O'Shea kept Matt Nichols in games that were decided blowouts twice this season.

[argotom]

This has been a pattern throughout the CFL for the past several years.Teams seem reluctant to pull starters when games seem out of reach.Hamilton kept Dane Evans and Brandon Banks in Today's game late into the fourth quarter.Mike O'Shea kept Matt Nichols in games that were decided blowouts twice this season.

True, but Hamilton and Winnipeg have winning seasons and are in the playoffs.
The Argos have been pathetic for the past two years so there should be no excuses and reason to play the two stiff QB's as long as they have.

[doubleblue]

Prokop looked good, was kind of pleasently surprised with his play after seeing him play earlier. Just shows that some guys take longer to to get it. I would like to see more of him next week for sure. O'Conner looked good his first series, but then the O Line seemed to forget how to pass block. I wonder if the Coaches wanted to see how O'Conner handled a pass rush. They wouldn't do that would they? Lol
But he has promise needs a bit more time running QB sneaks and mop up time as a back up IMO. Something about a Canadian QB that gets people interested, but then they have to produce. Could O'Conner and Rourke be a drawing card down the road in Toronto?
Also happy to see the young Canadians get some playing time and not look out of place. Kwemo looked quicker than I thought he was, I would like to see more of him in game action. Onyeka made some nice tackles and is a solid back up and ST guy. DE Robbie Smith got back in after being set out for a few games. He's going to be a starter.
Ouelette looks like he did at Ohio. Honest tough down hill runner who has a burst if he gets a hole. Maybe he can help recruit Nathan Rourke.

[paulwoods13]

Our stiff QB is likely going to lead the league in td passes and passing yards. Sure hope we don't bother trying to sign him to a new contract.

[Argo57]

Our stiff QB is likely going to lead the league in td passes and passing yards. Sure hope we don't bother trying to sign him to a new contract.

If the Argos don’t I sure a couple of other teams would love to have him.

[argotom]

Our stiff QB is likely going to lead the league in td passes and passing yards. Sure hope we don't bother trying to sign him to a new contract.

Statistics are meaningless when they do no equate to wins.
Also, a vast majority of the yards for MBT was during garbage time when the team was way behind and the other D was playing lose not to include a ton of underneath throws.
Milt on the TSN panel after the game also said there is no chance the Argos can go with MBT for next year, as the team has to move on.

[doubleblue]

Statistics are meaningless when they do no equate to wins.
Also, a vast majority of the yards for MBT was during garbage time when the team was way behind and the other D was playing lose not to include a ton of underneath throws.
Milt on the TSN panel after the game also said there is no chance the Argos can go with MBT for next year, as the team has to move on.

What does Milt know about QB's. Lol

But seriously there has to be a lot of evaluation of all the free agent QB's by the Argos new powers that be. Namely John Murphy and Pinball, who is suppose to have the last word. I agree with Milt, I think they have to move on. Not because MBT hasn't played well this year as he has at times. But because of the negativity that has risen around the QB situation this year. The team needs a fresh start with a new QB and new Coaches to get rid of the bad taste created this year.
Could Dakota Prukop be considered. Maybe, if he is allowed to play against Hamilton next week and does well again there should be a lot of questions why he wasn't in there sooner. There will be several free agent QB's on the market this off season with Masoli, Collaros, Evans, Arbuckle the top of the list IMO. Guys who can scramble and pass as well. Maybe one of them and Prukop with O'Conner in the bull pen should be considered as the way to go into next season.
Of course I would still love to see Nathan Rourke drafted to have in the pipeline.

[Argo57]

What does Milt know about QB's. Lol

But seriously there has to be a lot of evaluation of all the free agent QB's by the Argos new powers that be. Namely John Murphy and Pinball, who is suppose to have the last word. I agree with Milt, I think they have to move on. Not because MBT hasn't played well this year as he has at times. But because of the negativity that has risen around the QB situation this year. The team needs a fresh start with a new QB and new Coaches to get rid of the bad taste created this year.
Could Dakota Prukop be considered. Maybe, if he is allowed to play against Hamilton next week and does well again there should be a lot of questions why he wasn't in there sooner. There will be several free agent QB's on the market this off season with Masoli, Collaros, Evans, Arbuckle the top of the list IMO. Guys who can scramble and pass as well. Maybe one of them and Prukop with O'Conner in the bull pen should be considered as the way to go into next season.
Of course I would still love to see Nathan Rourke drafted to have in the pipeline.

Dane Evans has another 2 years to go on his contract.

[Shatto]

It is dangerous to make assumptions based on a one-off, especially if the one-off is only one quarter but Prukop probably played the best quarter that any Argo QB has played this year and that can't be ignored. He demonstrated mobility, creativity and a nice passing touch. In one quarter he put up 17 points, which except for Worthy dropping a sure catch, probably would have been 21 points. It should also be noted that in the next quarter (4th) he was on the punt teams, showing his toughness as a player. We tend to think of him as inexperienced but he has been practicing with the team for three years, in his role as a backup QB.

MBT performed as he has all year, with determination and toughness but he also demonstrated some of his deficiencies, such as a real inconsistency with the long pass. This is not to take anything away from MBT's fine year under adverse conditions but do we really have confidence that he is the starter we want leading this team next year? Personally, I have reservations but others would obviously disagree.

There is absolutely nothing to be gained in playing MBT in the final game. Prukop and O'Connor should each play a full half in the upcoming game. If Prukop plays similar to today's game, IMO, the team would be very foolish to let him leave. If the team is not careful, it could be discarding the next "Fajardo" for another team to benefit. This year, Evans, Fajardo and Arbuckle have proven, we have backups in this league that have the potential to lead their teams to a successful season. Hamilton, the way they are playing, would be a huge challenge for any QB. It will be interesting the see how Prukop and O'Connor do against them.

[Nob]

Our stiff QB is likely going to lead the league in td passes and passing yards. Sure hope we don't bother trying to sign him to a new contract.

Yes, he did lead the league in passing td’s this season, but this season is rather unusual with all of the QB’s that went on the IR this year. It’s not as if MBT threw 50+ td’s. I will also acknowledge that he played without the benefit of a lot of things - good coaching, a good OL, a good running game, etc....

The other thing that I noticed today is that he threw deep a lot more today, and on my count he was 1/6 on the deep throws.

The lack of a large sample size will make it difficult to know what the Argos have with Prukop and O’Connor.

The only thing that we do know is that Franklin was not the answer. It will be an interesting off season to see what happens at the QB spot, in Toronto, and around the league.

[Rich]

I think they have to move on. Not because MBT hasn't played well this year as he has at times. But because of the negativity that has risen around the QB situation this year. The team needs a fresh start with a new QB and new Coaches to get rid of the bad taste created this year.

I agree with all of this. MBT has earned my respect this year, he is a gamer for sure. But putting aside his strengths and weaknesses, the guy has unfortunately become the living breathing embodiment of not one but two of the most gawdawful seasons in recent memory. It’s not his fault but we gotta move on.

[argolio]

If only they could play Ottawa every week.......

Prukop looked good in the third quarter. It’s the same question that I asked last week - if he had 18 starts like MBT did then where would he be in his career?

MBT hasn't started every game.

Prukop has had two mediocre camps in a row, and was nowhere near the starter's job. If Bridge's contract wasn't slotted for him to get #2 money, Prukop may have been cut.


Great to get the win, reach a few statistical milestones, and see some young players get experience. But the idea that a nothing game against the worst team in the league meant much beyond professional pride is pretty ridiculous.

[Rich]

It is dangerous to make assumptions based on a one-off, especially if the one-off is only one quarter but Prukop probably played the best quarter that any Argo QB has played this year and that can't be ignored. He demonstrated mobility, creativity and a nice passing touch. In one quarter he put up 17 points, which except for Worthy dropping a sure catch, probably would have been 21 points. It should also be noted that in the next quarter (4th) he was on the punt teams, showing his toughness as a player. We tend to think of him as inexperienced but he has been practicing with the team for three years, in his role as a backup QB.

MBT performed as he has all year, with determination and toughness but he also demonstrated some of his deficiencies, such as a real inconsistency with the long pass. This is not to take anything away from MBT's fine year under adverse conditions but do we really have confidence that he is the starter we want leading this team next year? Personally, I have reservations but others would obviously disagree.

There is absolutely nothing to be gained in playing MBT in the final game. Prukop and O'Connor should each play a full half in the upcoming game. If Prukop plays similar to today's game, IMO, the team would be very foolish to let him leave. If the team is not careful, it could be discarding the next "Fajardo" for another team to benefit. This year, Evans, Fajardo and Arbuckle have proven, we have backups in this league that have the potential to lead their teams to a successful season. Hamilton, the way they are playing, would be a huge challenge for any QB. It will be interesting the see how Prukop and O'Connor do against them.

I agree with every word of this. I would add that Prukop showed an arm strength that I didn’t think he had on a couple of throws over the middle, and he showed a real command of the play. Very impressive.

I thought MOC looked a little nervous and tight, but he made a couple of great reads and showed a lot of toughness. He’s got all the tools.

Pending their performance next week, count me among those who would be happy to see Prukop and MOC as the #2 and #3 QBs behind a new #1 guy.

[Blue90]

Our stiff QB is likely going to lead the league in td passes and passing yards. Sure hope we don't bother trying to sign him to a new contract.

A couple of differences with the 2 new QBs vs MBT....

1. they can scramble to avoid a loss

2. they are more accurate with the deep pass

I think you would agree that this was obvious in today's game.

MBT could be a CFL backup, but not a starting QB.

[ArgoFan1]

I cannot understand all the hate for MBT. With such a poor team and horrid O line to protect him, he has put up good numbers. Forget about the losses, since at least four of those are directly blamed on the kickers. Several directly blamed on a defence that gave up last minute scores. MBT doesn't call the plays. I know he has some problem with the deep ball, so I keep asking why is he making those plays? He started the game great with 10 to 20 yard throws and then they went with about 5 straight throws way down field, for no reason. If the OC had stuck with what works, then MBT would have looked even better.
The other two QBs were impressive, considering their stories, but you have to realize who they were playing against. Even next week in Hamilton... the Ticats will be resting a lot of their starters. It is a nothing game for them, so don't make such a big deal of any numbers those QBs put up next week either.
MBT is really in his first season, and any time you can get that kind of production from a first year guy, it is something not to be ignored. I don't want to see him just thrown away simply because the team wants to clean house. I'm glad PInball is the new GM and not some of the posters here.