Best/Worst Season Toronto Argonauts

**Will** · 02-10-2023, 04:46 PM

Neat article

I don't think anyone would argue the 1997 team not being the best Argos team of all-time.

He puts the 1981 team as the worst with honorable mentions to 1993, 2009, 2018 and 2019.

**AngeloV** · 02-10-2023, 04:59 PM

Honestly I would put ‘93 and ‘95 ahead of ‘81 for worst teams. ‘81 started the season with 4 losses that were all very close and entertaining games. Then injuries to Greer and Holloway and the team spiralled fast.

**OV Argo** · 02-10-2023, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by Will

Neat article

I don't think anyone would argue the 1997 team not being the best Argos team of all-time.

He puts the 1981 team as the worst with honorable mentions to 1993, 2009, 2018 and 2019.

I might be one to make a bit of an argument there: the 71, 87 & 91 Argo GC teams were very talented and moreso than the 97 team in some areas/position groups IMO; hard to argue with a Doug Flutie in his prime QBing those very good Argo teams; but they squeaked by the Esks in the 96 GC, and then got to face the Reggie Slack QB'd Riders in the 97 game. If they had blown out the Esks to make for back to back GC dominant wins I would be more tempted to not try the "argument". ;o)

**ArgoGabe22** · 02-10-2023, 07:16 PM

Curious to see what long time fans think of the Andrus era. Cleo Lemon won a playoff game but the era before and Andrus IIRC wasn't great either. Very boring football. But I only started following since '04. It wall went downhill after that season lol. Until Ricky Ray came.

**gilthethrill** · 02-10-2023, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by AngeloV

Honestly I would put ‘93 and ‘95 ahead of ‘81 for worst teams. ‘81 started the season with 4 losses that were all very close and entertaining games. Then injuries to Greer and Holloway and the team spiralled fast.

Regarding 1993….every time I see the number 601 on a digital clock my mind drifts back to 1993 and the 601 yards that QB Danny Barrett put up against the Argos in a road game in BC. Oh, yes the Argos lost.

**AngeloV** · 02-10-2023, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by gilthethrill

Regarding 1993….every time I see the number 601 on a digital clock my mind drifts back to 1993 and the 601 yards that QB Danny Barrett put up against the Argos in a road game in BC. Oh, yes the Argos lost.

If he had put up another 8 yards he would have had a good reference to the Spiegal catalog that was always referenced on Let’s make a deal. Spiegal, Chicago 60609. Yes, I am old.

**ArgoRavi** · 02-10-2023, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by AngeloV

Honestly I would put ‘93 and ‘95 ahead of ‘81 for worst teams. ‘81 started the season with 4 losses that were all very close and entertaining games. Then injuries to Greer and Holloway and the team spiralled fast.

2009 has to be up there too. I agree that the 1981 team wasn't necessarily that bad as much of the offence returned in 1982 and 1983. The 1981 team lost their first three games by a combined five points before getting blown out in Hamilton for valid reasons that Paul mentioned in his Bouncing Back book. They then lost close home games to Edmonton and Winnipeg before the wheels came off. Their two wins that season were certainly thrilling though!

I would say then that, for me, the race is between the 2009 and 1993 teams. 2018-19 weren't great either but I think both of those teams may still have been a bit better than the 2009 and 1993 versions. All four of those seasons were nightmares though. 2008 wasn't anything to write home about either.

**paulwoods13** · 02-11-2023, 09:53 AM

Nothing will beat the first half of 2000, up to the point where Huard got fired and Pinball took over. The B.C. home-game debacle was the first and only time in my life I deliberately chose not to use my tickets, in protest over Huard.

In terms of a full season, I'd say 2008 has to take the prize. The quarterbacking was abysmal, and even the return of the Don couldn't coax a single victory out the lacklustre roster down the stretch. Honestly, I felt it was worse than the Bart Andrus year although that one was also terrible. IMO 1981 was nowhere near the worst Argo team, despite having the worst record ever. They easily could have been 3-0 out of the gate with just a little bit of luck, and almost the entire offence was the focal point for the turnaround that happened the following year.

**Argo57** · 02-11-2023, 10:52 AM

The Argonauts fan base was conditioned to an inept on field product by the time the 1981 season happened hence the shock and delight we all felt when they achieved success in the 1982 and 1983 seasons.

**Will** · 02-11-2023, 12:42 PM

The 2008 season was just shocking because nobody saw that defense collapsing the way it did.

**argolio** · 02-11-2023, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by Will

The 2008 season was just shocking because nobody saw that defense collapsing the way it did.

Since I started going to games, the Sept. 12 39-9 loss to the Bombers from that season was the low point based on crowd reaction. To paraphrase George Costanza, the fans were angry that day, my friends!

**AngeloV** · 02-11-2023, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by argolio

Since I started going to games, the Sept. 12 39-9 loss to the Bombers from that season was the low point based on crowd reaction. To paraphrase George Costanza, the fans were angry that day, my friends!

That was the last home game I missed attending the wedding of a good friend. I remember taping the game and watching it as soon as I got home from the wedding with no knowledge of the game. I wish I could have those hours of my life back.