Week 1 Game Thread - AARRGGOOSS at Stampeders - August 7, 2021

[Will]

[Wobbler]

Hmm. I hope MBT stays healthy.

[Wobbler]

The depth chart is up.

Interesting! They are going with an all-American secondary, and starting two NATs at receiver for a total of eight Canadians. I'm a little surprised to see Braverman (who?!) starting over Collins in the slot. It's also a little weird to see Oakman's name at DT, but with the injuries there probably wasn't much choice in the matter.

[Wobbler]

Also, Cordero Law, Bear Woods, Isiah Cage, and Drake Nevis are on the 6 game DL. Of those I'd say only Nevis really hurts.

[Wobbler]

Kudos to Shatto for being the only person to make note of Treston Decoud, who is now the starting field corner.

[OV Argo]

Kudos to Shatto for being the only person to make note of Treston Decoud, who is now the starting field corner.

Well, the guy has a decent resume as an NFL draft pick; played in the XFL ? + so did Braverman; and Oakman ?

I have a feeling Murphy has a lot of pull on roster make-up to influence a newbie HC; a lot of ex-Stamps (& Riders) he had; a bunch of ex-NFLers and some ex-XFLers

[ArgoGabe22]

The depth chart is up.

Where's Dee?

[Rich]

Of those I'd say only Nevis really hurts.

I’d say Ealy and Oakman will ease the pain a whole lot. This D-line is a Fearsome Foursome if I’ve ever seen one, with or without Nevis.

[Rich]

starting two NATs at receiver.

There’s just too much talent there not to do this, even in a GOB league. I predict Kurleigh Gittens will become a breakout star this year.

[Rich]

So coach says that Arbuckle is physically cleared and able to play, but because he didn’t get enough reps in camp, MBT got the nod to start. Coach also said yesterday that it is possible Arbuckle could see action against Calgary.

So here’s my question: will the 2021 QB controversy begin tomorrow or will it wait until next week?

[Wobbler]

I hope you're right, Rich. For now, I'm concerned about having only unproven guys at DT. Ealy has done a lot but will he play hard in the CFL? Oakman is a mystery. Nevis was supposed to be the "sure thing" that anchored the interior...

[paulwoods13]

So coach says that Arbuckle is physically cleared and able to play, but because he didn’t get enough reps in camp, MBT got the nod to start. Coach also said yesterday that it is possible Arbuckle could see action against Calgary.

So here’s my question: will the 2021 QB controversy begin tomorrow or will it wait until next week?

There won't be a QB controversy if the guy in the gun has success. Tonight MBT has the opportunity to establish himself as worthy of being the starter. This reminds me a bit of 1982, albeit the expected No. 2 and former starter (Holloway) was already well established in the league, and the expected No. 1 (Barnes) was older and more proven than Arbuckle is. Holloway got the job back when Barnes was hurt, and never gave it up.

[AngeloV]

Holloway got the job back when Barnes was hurt, and never gave it up.

Didn't hurt that Barnes sucked the first 2 games in '82 either. Holloway came in to lead a come from behind tie week 1 at home vs Calgary (24-24 IIRC), and Barnes led them to a 31-0 deficit in Edmonton before Holloway came in and finished the game with 2 TD drives to make it somewhat respectable.

[gilthethrill]

I’d say Ealy and Oakman will ease the pain a whole lot. This D-line is a Fearsome Foursome if I’ve ever seen one, with or without Nevis.

Exactly. Add on the linebacking core and the Argos front 7 is going to cause a lot of issues for CFL qbs. Starting with Bo Levi tonight.

[Rich]

There won't be a QB controversy if the guy in the gun has success. Tonight MBT has the opportunity to establish himself as worthy of being the starter

I dunno, the fact the coach said Arbuckle could see action today, and not necessarily on an emergency basis, suggests to me that Coach is not committed to the idea of MBT establishing himself as the starter.

One or two bad series by MBT tonight and there will be some players (quietly) and some fans (loudly) calling for Arbuckle, and there’s yer QB controversy. The only way it will be avoided is if MBT plays lights out brilliant all game long.

[argolio]

Is it really controversial to think both QBs will get significant playing time this season? We're coming off two poor seasons and major roster turnover. Lots of positions could see multliple players get starts.

[Argo57]

I dunno, the fact the coach said Arbuckle could see action today, and not necessarily on an emergency basis, suggests to me that Coach is not committed to the idea of MBT establishing himself as the starter.

One or two bad series by MBT tonight and there will be some players (quietly) and some fans (loudly) calling for Arbuckle, and there’s yer QB controversy. The only way it will be avoided is if MBT plays lights out brilliant all game long.

This is exactly why many of us were happy to have MBT back in Toronto, you need at least 2 capable QB’s available.
I’m not reading too much into Dinwiddie’s comments regarding Arbuckle, simply keeping all options open.
Let’s be honest here, both QB’s will be getting significant playing time this season.

[Argo57]

Is it really controversial to think both QBs will get significant playing time this season? We're coming off two poor seasons and major roster turnover. Lots of positions could see multliple players get starts.

I agree.
4 hours before kickoff and some are already talking QB controversy?

[ArgoRavi]

I have great confidence that the Argos will win tonight. This looks like a solid football team to me.

As for the QB position, it's never a bad thing to have two or three guys who can play at a high level.

[paulwoods13]

I dunno, the fact the coach said Arbuckle could see action today, and not necessarily on an emergency basis, suggests to me that Coach is not committed to the idea of MBT establishing himself as the starter.

One or two bad series by MBT tonight and there will be some players (quietly) and some fans (loudly) calling for Arbuckle, and there’s yer QB controversy. The only way it will be avoided is if MBT plays lights out brilliant all game long.

Of course the coach is not going to anoint MBT as No. 1 before a snap has even been played this season, especially given the money that was paid to Arbuckle. It's equally obvious the coach is not going to say anything negative about either guy, especially at this point of the season. Coaches always keep their options open in any case where there is no clearly established No. 1 guy.

I'm personally glad the Argos were smart enough to bring MBT back even after they gave a vote of confidence to Arbuckle in the offseason. A second competent QB was clearly going to be needed this season, and as it turns out one is needed in Game 1.

Sure, there are fans who dislike MBT, and no doubt some of them will try to create a QB "controversy" if not every possession is successful. But there is no evidence I'm aware of that any player is going to quietly call for Arbuckle if a few series go astray. In fact, everything I've read and heard suggests MBT is highly respected in the locker room. I think we all need to let the situation play out. Whomever deserves to play, based on performance, is going to play, once both guys are healthy.