What are your honest, realistic expectations of this team.

[OV Argo]

Pretty sure it's not. Trestman is surely bringing a whole bunch of different looks. They don't call him The Professor for nothing. He told the town hall that when he first came to the CFL, he imported all his favourite NFL plays into the playbook and just added a guy to each one. You can bet he's bringing in some more new wrinkles this time around.

We shall see there. Trestman learned to run a productive CFL offence, but it was pretty standard look: big reliance on pass with 5 pack set; one basic, same old run play to the single back. Hopefully, he can steer Ray clear of way too much short dump / check-down garbage that Millanovich loved in favor of throwing the ball well down the field lots; if Trestman was some sort of innovator or wanted to show some new CFL wrinkles, he might think of going with way more diverse ground game - good luck with that happening. It will be more like same old look IMO, but Trestman's play-calling might be a big advantage.

[R.J]

It's been talked about that Trestman was let go in Baltimore due to his reliance on the dump pass, and his lack of run game. While I do think Trestman is a heckeva better play caller, offensive mind, and Head Coach over Milanovich, I don't think people should be surprised if we see more of the same offence. A lot also depends on the QB as well obviously, but Ray has always been a high percentage passer, it's not like we have a Mike Reilly here to air it out.

[Argo57]

It's been talked about that Trestman was let go in Baltimore due to his reliance on the dump pass, and his lack of run game. While I do think Trestman is a heckeva better play caller, offensive mind, and Head Coach over Milanovich, I don't think people should be surprised if we see more of the same offence. A lot also depends on the QB as well obviously, but Ray has always been a high percentage passer, it's not like we have a Mike Reilly here to air it out.

My guess is the offence will be very similar to what we saw under Milanovich.
Game planning and in game adjustments should be improved with Trestman and his staff.

[R.J]

My guess is the offence will be very similar to what we saw under Milanovich.
Game planning and in game adjustments should be improved with Trestman and his staff.

Agreed.

[Rich]

Trestman is a heckeva better play caller, offensive mind, and Head Coach over Milanovich, I don't think people should be surprised if we see more of the same offence.

The same offence should become a heckeva better offence when it is run by a heckeva better play caller, offensive mind and head coach, all things being equal.

[R.J]

The same offence should become a heckeva better offence when it is run by a heckeva better play caller, offensive mind and head coach, all things being equal.

I agree to a degree as I think Trestman is a considerably better coach than Milanovich, will most likely take over the play calling, and IMO is less conservative than Milo and Brady, but I still don't think the offensive plays will change much.

[Rich]

if Trestman was some sort of innovator or wanted to show some new CFL wrinkles, he might think of going with way more diverse ground game - good luck with that happening.

I don't buy this idea that Trestman didn't have any running game in Montreal. Twice his teams finished in the top 3 in team rushing yards. Compare that to the Milanovich-era Argonauts, who finished dead last in team rushing 3 times. Trestman's smart enough to know that you need a running game if you've got an immobile QB. I think the key is having depth at the position, and I think either Wilder or Hunter could end up being a real gamebreaker. They've got to find a way to dress two INT RB along with Coombs every game this year.

[jerrym]

I don't buy this idea that Trestman didn't have any running game in Montreal. Twice his teams finished in the top 3 in team rushing yards. Compare that to the Milanovich-era Argonauts, who finished dead last in team rushing 3 times. Trestman's smart enough to know that you need a running game if you've got an immobile QB. I think the key is having depth at the position, and I think either Wilder or Hunter could end up being a real gamebreaker. They've got to find a way to dress two INT RB along with Coombs every game this year.

I remember a couple of games where Trestman's Alouette's trounced the Argos primarily because of the ground game chewing up large yardage and then shifting to an air attack when the Argos made adjustments, something that Milanovich rarely, if ever, seemed to get the hang of.

[Rich]

I remember a couple of games where Trestman's Alouette's trounced the Argos primarily because of the ground game chewing up large yardage and then shifting to an air attack when the Argos made adjustments, something that Milanovich rarely, if ever, seemed to get the hang of.

I remember those games, Jerry, that Als O-Line was blowing us away. Maybe The Professor really will surprise all the skeptics with a much bigger commitment to the running game this year. Maybe he'll trailblaze a new direction for CFL offences, just like he did his first time around.

[Al&Kat]

OK for what it's worth, I want to go on the record. Keeping in mind our last game is
on the road, in BC, where strangely the Argos WON recently, and remembering the Argos
win in BC about once every ten years, I say they go into the last game at 7-and-10, still with a
chance to be in the playoffs, and they lose in BC, Argos finish 7-and-11 and the Alouettes finish at
8-and-10 to get third place (agreed there will be no West cross-over in 2017). NOW YOU KNOW.

[Al&Kat]

And oh yeah, one more point to make about 2017, on behalf of all of us STH...
PLEASE PLEASE may the Argos win More than twice at Home this year.

[Rich]

I don't buy this idea that Trestman didn't have any running game in Montreal. Twice his teams finished in the top 3 in team rushing yards. Compare that to the Milanovich-era Argonauts, who finished dead last in team rushing 3 times. Trestman's smart enough to know that you need a running game if you've got an immobile QB. I think the key is having depth at the position, and I think either Wilder or Hunter could end up being a real gamebreaker. They've got to find a way to dress two INT RB along with Coombs every game this year.

Well I was right about this but as I have confessed before, I was wrong about Ray for a long time. Here's what I can't figure out about Ricky Ray: he looks like he's moving a little quicker this year. Last year he moved in the pocket like he was wearing snowshoes, but in the last few games he's been jumping up into the pocket and evading the rush like I've never seen him do it before.

Maybe his knees are feeling better this year, but I think the big difference might be improved O-iine play, giving Ricky a reliable pocket to escape into more often.

[Neely2005]

Well I was right about this but as I have confessed before, I was wrong about Ray for a long time. Here's what I can't figure out about Ricky Ray: he looks like he's moving a little quicker this year. Last year he moved in the pocket like he was wearing snowshoes, but in the last few games he's been jumping up into the pocket and evading the rush like I've never seen him do it before.

Maybe his knees are feeling better this year, but I think the big difference might be improved O-iine play, giving Ricky a reliable pocket to escape into more often.

The O Line still needs improvement IMO. IIRC Ray was still sacked more than any other quarterback this season.

[AngeloV]

The O Line still needs improvement IMO. IIRC Ray was still sacked more than any other quarterback this season.

That number has significantly decreased since the arrival of Jonathan Himebauch. IMO, he has been the biggest difference maker for the O since his arrival.

[Argo57]

Well I was right about this but as I have confessed before, I was wrong about Ray for a long time. Here's what I can't figure out about Ricky Ray: he looks like he's moving a little quicker this year. Last year he moved in the pocket like he was wearing snowshoes, but in the last few games he's been jumping up into the pocket and evading the rush like I've never seen him do it before.

Maybe his knees are feeling better this year, but I think the big difference might be improved O-iine play, giving Ricky a reliable pocket to escape into more often.

The O-Line has been much improved since Himebauch arrived but IMO James Wilder’s emergence as a legit running threat has stopped our opponents from simply pinning back and pressuring Ray (as was happening before).

[gilthethrill]

The O-Line has been much improved since Himebauch arrived but IMO James Wilder’s emergence as a legit running threat has stopped our opponents from simply pinning back and pressuring Ray (as was happening before).

The line was at such a disadvantage without a running game. Really hope the team can keep Himebauch on the staff long term. Does Deane replace Washington at guard when he is healthy?

[Jon Gonzo]

The O-Line has been much improved since Himebauch arrived but IMO James Wilder’s emergence as a legit running threat has stopped our opponents from simply pinning back and pressuring Ray (as was happening before).

Agree. And we've all been talking about a dominant running game around here forever. It changes everything and makes everyone look, and play better. See the confidence the O-Line grabs? You can actually see it in their demeanor. They are bulls that want to the gate to open so they can start bucking downfield.

The timing of Himebauch's positive arrival, Brandon Washington to RG, and the Wild Thing all together; has all worked out so well, that I would not be surprised if this team actually won the Grey Cup.

Seasons turn like that, especially in this league. We have been witness to such positive O.Line turnarounds here before and it has resulted in paydirt.

BTW, kudos to all Argo fans here. Looking back at this thread was rather impressive. Many (most) of us had some very interesting, and perceptive observations heading into this season.

[jerrym]

Agree. And we've all been talking about a dominant running game around here forever. It changes everything and makes everyone look, and play better. See the confidence the O-Line grabs? You can actually see it in their demeanor. They are bulls that want to the gate to open so they can start bucking downfield.

The timing of Himebauch's positive arrival, Brandon Washington to RG, and the Wild Thing all together; has all worked out so well, that I would not be surprised if this team actually won the Grey Cup.

Seasons turn like that, especially in this league.

I agree. Wilder's running and the dramatic improvement in the OL's performance have been mutually reinforcing leading to the Argos peaking at just the right time.