Game Thread: Toronto Argonauts @ Winnipeg Blue Bombers

[RB957]

I think keeping Kelly out for this game could be strategic as well as safe, in that the Bombers won't have first-hand experience in reading and prepping for Kelly should the two meet in the Grey Cup game again.

Bingo.

I get the points you are making, but is there not enough game film available for the Bombers to learn what they can about how Kelly plays? Yes, playing against him is different from watching film, but it goes both ways. You could argue that it would help Kelly to play real reps against the Bombers before he conceivably plays them in the GC. That is assuming either or both teams make it.

As for injuries, that can happen on any play in any game. If Kelly is going to play some games before the playoffs, why not part of this one?

I just can't imagine if the Chiefs were playing the Bills in the NFL, and either team had a playoff spot locked up, that Mahomes or Allen wouldn't play. These guys are competitors. They need to compete.

Now, if that strategy is to start one of the backups and then throw Kelly in later in the game for some series... I think that is brilliant.

[Scooter McCray]

While I would love to see the heavyweight matchup here either both teams playing their best, it is not the case. Given that scenario I don't want Kelly in the game at all. Let's face it, Winnipeg off of the bye week, at home, in front of a sellout, playing for first place. I don't want any part of that with Toronto resting other key players, especially online, and their team focus and prep not at the same intensity level as Winnipeg right now. That is a scenario Chad could get injured in. Play Dukes and Scott and see how they handle that kind of pressure.

[argolio]

They probably should have scheduled this as a stand-alone Saturday night game in the summer.

[paulwoods13]

They probably should have scheduled this as a stand-alone Saturday night game in the summer.

I've argued before that the season should start with a single game, champs versus runners-up, at the home of the champs on the Saturday or Sunday evening before the rest of the teams get into action. A "kickoff classic" would attract a lot of attention and hype, and it would make scheduling easier. Every team would still get three byes, but eight teams would get one of them out of the way before their season begins, and would need only two once the main schedule gets going.

[paulwoods13]

Our of curiosity, I went back and looked at how the Blue Bombers played it in 2021, when they clinched first place six weeks before the Western Final (Oct. 23>Dec. 5). They followed the clinch with a bye, then played all of their regulars, and won, at home the following week. They then sat out most regulars, including Collaros, in the next game, which was on the road against Montreal. They lost that one. Then they played Collaros for only a couple of series in the season finale, and rested Bighill and Jefferson for much of that game. They also lost that one, on the road in Calgary.

Aside from the fact Wpg had a bye immediately after clinching, Argos are handling things about the same -- played (almost) everyone at home last week (and won), now sitting out the starting QB and probably a few other regulars this week on the road. The big difference, of course, is that Winnipeg had only four weeks, and three games, left after clinching. We had six weeks, and six games.

[RB957]

I've argued before that the season should start with a single game, champs versus runners-up, at the home of the champs on the Saturday or Sunday evening before the rest of the teams get into action. A "kickoff classic" would attract a lot of attention and hype, and it would make scheduling easier. Every team would still get three byes, but eight teams would get one of them out of the way before their season begins, and would need only two once the main schedule gets going.

This is a fantastic idea.... which probably means CFL would never adopt it.

[paulwoods13]

Peters and McManis are out this week, along with Phillips again.

[Will]

Peters and McManis are out this week, along with Phillips again.

Jones steps in for McManis and ??? for Peters.

I was hoping for Ra'Jae to get another game with Chad, but that's moot too.

[AngeloV]

I've argued before that the season should start with a single game, champs versus runners-up, at the home of the champs on the Saturday or Sunday evening before the rest of the teams get into action. A "kickoff classic" would attract a lot of attention and hype, and it would make scheduling easier. Every team would still get three byes, but eight teams would get one of them out of the way before their season begins, and would need only two once the main schedule gets going.

100%. I have also said this. 1 game in week 1, then 20 weeks of 4 games. This would also avoid having 3 teams off in any week, and the wisdom of having 3 games only in each of the last 2 weeks is lost on me.

[paulwoods13]

100%. I have also said this. 1 game in week 1, then 20 weeks of 4 games. This would also avoid having 3 teams off in any week, and the wisdom of having 3 games only in each of the last 2 weeks is lost on me.

Yes, the one-game opener makes the schedule way better, with 20 four-game weeks and basically only two de facto byes for everyone. The two teams in the KO Classic would need to have a bye in week 1 and 2, then two more byes each over the last 18 weeks. Everyone else gets one bye before the season starts, then two over 20 weeks.

[bluto]

Depth Chart is up.

I can never seem to post it on here. The Image Tab doesn't seem to like the URL that Argonauts.ca put it at.

https://d3ham790trbkqy.cloudfront.ne...9-2023-PDF.pdf

[AngeloV]

Depth Chart is up.

I can never seem to post it on here. The Image Tab doesn't seem to like the URL that Argonauts.ca put it at.

https://d3ham790trbkqy.cloudfront.ne...9-2023-PDF.pdf

10 startnig Canadians listed. Harry at Corner, Nield, Brissett and Ungerer all on field side receivers. I expect tyo see a lot of zone coverage this week. Nice to see Priester in the line up in a back up role. I'm sure they will ease him in.

[paulwoods13]

Pretty full lineup, minus Peters, Oakman, McManis and Kelly. At least two of them have more-than-adequate replacements (Brinkman, Jones) and I expect Priester to play a lot and play well. The big question, obviously, is at QB. If Dukes (assuming he gets most of the snaps) plays decently, winning the game is not out of the question although I am certainly not expecting a win.

[Will]

[Will]

Depth Chart is up.

I can never seem to post it on here. The Image Tab doesn't seem to like the URL that Argonauts.ca put it at.

https://d3ham790trbkqy.cloudfront.ne...9-2023-PDF.pdf

Simpler just to copy and paste the Twitter image. I think a PDF is not considered to me an image so that's why it doesn't work.

[Waffle]

Preister and Brinkman back. The Grey Cup defence is shaping up!


Hopefully they can get back up to speed without being injured again.

["Issues"Mcgee]

The Argos are putting up their Dukes but, given the circumstances, they may not get out of this game Scott-Free.

...I'll show myself out.

[CrazyCanuck89]

10 startnig Canadians listed. Harry at Corner, Nield, Brissett and Ungerer all on field side receivers. I expect tyo see a lot of zone coverage this week. Nice to see Priester in the line up in a back up role. I'm sure they will ease him in.

Harry has played well in man coverage in the past. I think you will see a mixture.

[Will]

The Argos are putting up their Dukes but, given the circumstances, they may not get out of this game Scott-Free.

...I'll show myself out.

No way to work Chad Kelly in there, eh?

[Scooter McCray]

No way to work Chad Kelly in there, eh?

If they are not putting Chad in to start, I don't want him in at all. If he plays in this game Play him to start with a fixed amount of time, ie-the first half. He sits the second half regardless of score. Hopefully he exits with a close score.

Why put him in, in a come from behind scenario against a Winnipeg team at home pinning their ears back to get a piece of him. Or if Dukes and Scott have a lead let them be the ones to finish what they started.