GAME THREAD / Week 8 / Argonauts de Toronto v Alouettes de Montréal

[Shatto]

This game was lost with Trestman's decision to start Matthews and play him the whole half. Also, keep in mind, in the 2nd half, the Argos had two TD completions called back because of penalties on the OL and a dropped TD completion after a brilliant play and pass by Fajardo.

It is interesting that when Fajardo went in, the OL play improved, the running game was much better and receivers were getting in the clear
---often happens when the QB is playing well. This game was winnable if Fajardo had played the whole game or even if Matthews had been pulled after the first quarter.

Talking about the OL, Campbell had a disastrous game --he doesn't look like the answer at left OT.

As repetitive and tedious, as Shirley's comments were, the comments were correct. Sorry guys, as much as it hurts and as much as I agree that Shirley overstated the case, I think we owe Shirley an apology.

[paulwoods13]

Also, keep in mind, in the 2nd half, the Argos had two TD completions called back because of penalties on the OL and a dropped TD completion after a brilliant play and pass by Fajardo.

The first "called-back TD" came well after several whistles had been blown. I'm fairly sure Mtl was not playing at full speed and intensity given that the play was clearly dead. Let's not overstate how well Fajardo did.

[Rich]

Let's not overstate how well Fajardo did.

Well a lot of his passes were off target, even some completions. He was obviously tight and could have used more practice reps. But he lifted up the team as soon as he went in. That run where he destroyed the DB at the sidelines was a statement maker. The O-Line and the running game got better when Fajardo came in. Whitaker is perfectly suited for the read option, so is Coombs, we could suddenly have a running game on our hands.

But Shatto is right, the play where that stiff Paden dropped the TD pass was a truly spectacular big-time football play. Spin-move from the rush, outrun three guys, unloading with something on it while running full speed to the left, threading the needle to an open guy in the endzone. There's not too many QBs on the planet that can make that play.

Fajardo's got tons of room for improvement, but i'm surprised that anybody would be "dismayed" by his performance.

[Wobbler]

I'm dismayed by your lack of perspective, Rich.

*Thoroughly* dismayed.

Seriously though - do you think Fajardo's performance has shown that he might reliably "put the ball where it needs to be" in the near future? I don't see it.

[Rich]

Seriously though - do you think Fajardo's performance has shown that he might reliably "put the ball where it needs to be" in the near future? I don't see it.

Put it this way: I will be disappointed if he doesn't show any improvement in his next start. I can't believe people won't cut him a little slack. He's got some kinks to work out for sure, but remember he took the MINORITY of reps in practice this week. The guy has never taken starter's reps with this team. He should have taken them this week. By giving Mathews starter's reps and playing him for a half, the Professor made a serious mistake that may have cost this team a win IMO.

[Argo57]

Put it this way: I will be disappointed if he doesn't show any improvement in his next start. I can't believe people won't cut him a little slack. He's got some kinks to work out for sure, but remember he took the MINORITY of reps in practice this week. The guy has never taken starter's reps with this team. He should have taken them this week. By giving Mathews starter's reps and playing him for a half, the Professor made a serious mistake that may have cost this team a win IMO.

People are just voicing their opinions based on watching him play, don't think anyone is writing the guy off just yet.

[OV Argo]

Well a lot of his passes were off target, even some completions. He was obviously tight and could have used more practice reps. But he lifted up the team as soon as he went in. That run where he destroyed the DB at the sidelines was a statement maker. The O-Line and the running game got better when Fajardo came in. Whitaker is perfectly suited for the read option, so is Coombs, we could suddenly have a running game on our hands.

But Shatto is right, the play where that stiff Paden dropped the TD pass was a truly spectacular big-time football play. Spin-move from the rush, outrun three guys, unloading with something on it while running full speed to the left, threading the needle to an open guy in the endzone. There's not too many QBs on the planet that can make that play.

Fajardo's got tons of room for improvement, but i'm surprised that anybody would be "dismayed" by his performance.

Agreed - Rich - that one play by Fajardo where he escaped, was on the run and threw a strike in the end-zone (dropped by Paden - this stiff plays while Noel or Jones sit on the bench ???) was a really nice QB play that shows the potential this guy has.

Would have been nice (and smarter) to see what Fajardo could have done with a full week of starter reps in practice; but oh well, the coaching staff is always right and they wanted a more experienced QB with more "arm strength" i guess.

IF Trestman is such a sharp offensive coach, he should be able to develop a game plan for a mobile, scrambling QB - it opens up the run game more for a quality back like Whitaker or Coombs with some carries, and the D backs worrying about coming up to stop a running QB should open up some deep passing game - a run game supplemented by plenty of medium to long bomb passing attack - love to see what that could do. But, IMO - a lot of CFL offensive coaching "thinkers" have little to no use for an applied ground game and are also afraid of deep passing.

[Argo57]

Agreed - Rich - that one play by Fajardo where he escaped, was on the run and threw a strike in the end-zone (dropped by Paden - this stiff plays while Noel or Jones sit on the bench ???) was a really nice QB play that shows the potential this guy has.

Would have been nice (and smarter) to see what Fajardo could have done with a full week of starter reps in practice; but oh well, the coaching staff is always right and they wanted a more experienced QB with more "arm strength" i guess.

IF Trestman is such a sharp offensive coach, he should be able to develop a game plan for a mobile, scrambling QB - it opens up the run game more for a quality back like Whitaker or Coombs with some carries, and the D backs worrying about coming up to stop a running QB should open up some deep passing game - a run game supplemented by plenty of medium to long bomb passing attack - love to see what that could do. But, IMO - a lot of CFL offensive coaching "thinkers" have little to no use for an applied ground game and are also afraid of deep passing.

Both Paden and Fuller have been pretty much useless in the Argo lineup, Williams is much better and I suspect either of Noel and Jones would be an upgrade.
I don't understand the hesitation in getting these guys game action.

[OV Argo]

Both Paden and Fuller have been pretty much useless in the Argo lineup, Williams is much better and I suspect either of Noel and Jones would be an upgrade.
I don't understand the hesitation in getting these guys game action.

I do. ;o)

[ArgoRavi]

The first "called-back TD" came well after several whistles had been blown. I'm fairly sure Mtl was not playing at full speed and intensity given that the play was clearly dead. Let's not overstate how well Fajardo did.

I agree with this. Fajardo threw for a whole 70 yards in the second half. You can't win games in this league if you can't throw the football. Hopefully Fajardo's passing prowess can improve over time as I like the other attributes that he brings to the table. Although the offence was better in the second half, that kind of offence isn't sustainable in this league. That is why Lefevour has never amounted to much.

I have never been a fan of Mathews but was willing to give him another chance. I know that he is only 25 or so but this is his fourth year in the league and I expected something better than what I saw in the first half of this game.

The defence looked very good and kept the Argos in this game but I can't think of one big play that the Argos made tonight on offence, defence or special teams. The longest play on offence IIRC was a 30 yard run by Whitaker.

[Wobbler]

I think we owe Shirley an apology.

I think you should review his posts.

Tonight's main lesson, IMO, is that Fajardo doesn't look like a future star and seems questionable as a future starter. He is definitely mobile, but that was a weak passing performance. He's now the clear #2, and hopefully he'll be better with lots of reps in practice and an offense tailored to his strengths, but I was dismayed by what I saw.

Mathews was even worse (overall), but did any of us expect much?

[Neely2005]

I think you should review his posts.

Tonight's main lesson, IMO, is that Fajardo doesn't look like a future star. He is definitely mobile, but that was a weak passing performance. He's now the clear #2, and hopefully he'll be better with lots of reps in practice and an offense tailored to his strengths, but I was dismayed by what I saw.

Mathews was even worse (overall), but did any of us expect much?

I must have been watching a different Fajardo than you. The one I was watching moved the ball down the field well with some nice passes and kept the defense off balance with his rushing ability. I guess it depends on your definition of Star.

[Wobbler]

I must have been watching a different Fajardo than you. The one I was watching moved the ball down the field well with some nice passes and kept the defense off balance with his rushing ability. I guess it depends on your definition of Star.

The "I must have been watching a different ____" thing is pretty tired. You disagree with me - totally fine!

What I hoped to see from Fajardo was an ability to make various situational throws. We all know he moves well and carries well. He did that and helped Whitaker to look like his old self. That's great! But... Fajardo didn't seem to read well or throw the ball well. He completed short passes, but I saw nothing to suggest that he could be special in the next year or two - which is all that matters in the CFL.

I haven't given up on him, but this was discouraging.

[Neely2005]

The "I must have been watching a different ____" thing is pretty tired. You disagree with me - totally fine!

What I hoped to see from Fajardo was an ability to make various situational throws. We all know he moves well and carries well. He did that and helped Whitaker to look like his old self. That's great! But... Fajardo didn't seem to read well or throw the ball well. He completed short passes, but I saw nothing to suggest that he could be special in the next year or two - which is all that matters in the CFL.

I haven't given up on him, but this was discouraging.

If it's tired so be it. Thanks but I'll continue to speak as I see fit, within the rules of the site. I liked what I saw from Fajardo and if Ray isn't healthy I hope that he gets his First start on Saturday.