Game Thread: Toronto Argonauts vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers

[Stevoman]

Some positives - the team kept fighting even though they were behind the whole night.

Negatives - way too out of sync in many areas (I'll blame MLSE for these last 2 losses). Special teams were rough and need to be better. Kelly was under pressure way too often.

Need to win one of the next two.

[gilthethrill]

Not sure why Dru Brown always plays well against Toronto. Winnipeg with only 1 practice sure played better. Our Oline was embarrassing & Liram really hurt us again in clutch time. The D improved in the 2nd half & only gave up 1 TD all game. Despite winning turnover battle, Kelly just wasn't able to sustain drives with a lot of 2 & outs. The Coxie ejection, while an Objectionable Conduct penalty was warranted, that ejection was over reach. Next up Hamilton with Jake Dolegala most likely.

[paulwoods13]

A few observations from first half (I haven't yet watched the second half):

Tackling is again an issue for this team.

O-line is again an issue for this team. Kelly was constantly under siege.

Brown easily picked apart the Argo secondary, especially on quick hitters.

Maybe it's because of the weak o-line play, but it's very difficult to win if you abandon the run.

Using Slywka as the middle man in short-yardage seems foolish -- at least three times, he leapt into the pile and was driven backwards by the QB doing the sneak.

Oh well, at least we're not Redblacks fans.

[OV Argo]

A bunch of big and little things contribute to that Argo loss - in a game they coulda stole but really didn't deserve too. Just hoping some changes in coaching smarts or personnel are coming rather that rinse & repeat.

Getting worried about vet kicker L H - who has had a fine career, but some vet kickers go thru slumps that end up losing games - missed FGs (or converts) cannot continue to happen, and another kicker should be brought to be on stand-by.

D was decent at limiting Oliveira mostly but coverage is still often weak, plus not enough pass rush - how long is that going to continue ? Hoping Hendrix getting in on the D-line could help, but not sure that is enough. Better tackling all around needed; rookie safety John whiffed on a makeable tackle to allow Tim White an easy score, plus there was a bunch of other missed tackles to go with receivers wide-open from this secondary.


No real ground game as usual, plus Chad does not take off for good to big yardage like he is capable of (maybe he or the team are afraid of injury again so they've told him no?). Jack Cassar whiffed on blocking Kramdhi that led to a Kelly sack / forced fumble, then later in the game Cassar whiffed on Willie J allowing him to sack Kelly - maybe the guy is a linebacker and not a fullback, and as shatto has noted - WTF are they dressing 2 fullbacks anyhow ? And the only one back-up receiver dressed forced J. Grant into the game to play there when Coxie got ejected - that might have been enough to throw him off to muff that missed FG return chance that was a huge opportunity ?

Maybe new HC Miller figures the Argos can win a bunch of games in high scoring, passing shoot-outs; and Kelly is certainly capable (best pure & deep passing talent in the league IMO; and so are receivers which could get even better if Herslow returns). But when a bunch of other teams have better ground games, better overall defences (especially pass rush) and better FG kicking, then good luck with that formula - IMO it will likely lead to 2nd worst record in the league and out of the play-offs with a West cross-over.

Afraid of change, and sticking with your basic game-plans AND roster personnel out of TC (things you thought would work) = losing football team.

[RichK]

I think the terrible performance from the O-line revealed a sad truth about Chad Kelly: It’s crystal clear that he doesn’t have the foot speed and escapability that he had in ‘23, which makes it highly unlikely he can approach that level of excellence again. That’s life I suppose but it’s still a bummer.

[AngeloV]

Tough game to watch. Very disappointing.
Looks like the D is completely lost in zone. Might be better to play more man coverage with a high safety. Those short passes are just too easy. Despite his pick, I can see why Amos was not brought back in Hamilton. A 2 and out every now and then would be nice. I get that the only have up 1 TD, but getting off the field earlier would help the offence put some points on the board.
Kelly got beat up. He o- line was brutal last night. I think Arbuckle might have taken 10 sacks, but Kelly is special back there.
Hicks can get the explosive run, but overall doesn’t get much when he carries. Is that him, the o-line or the type of running plays the call? Maybe running more screens is the way to go rather trying to run.
Coxie DQ was a joke, but I hated seeing him “celebrating” his ejection. Coach needs to talk to him about that. He is playing well though, so not like I would bench him for it.
Again, all in all, a bad night. Maybe I underestimated the effect of starting with 7 road games really has on the team. Sounds like a lot of players are communicating daily between Toronto and Guelph. That sucks. Why can’t they go back to Lamport now?

[AngeloV]

I think the terrible performance from the O-line revealed a sad truth about Chad Kelly: It’s crystal clear that he doesn’t have the foot speed and escapability that he had in ‘23, which makes it highly unlikely he can approach that level of excellence again. That’s life I suppose but it’s still a bummer.

I disagree with this. He moved around quite well to avoid the rush last night.

[paulwoods13]

Hicks can get the explosive run, but overall doesn’t get much when he carries. Is that him, the o-line or the type of running plays the call? Maybe running more screens is the way to go rather trying to run.

I underestimated the effect of starting with 7 road games really has on the team. Sounds like a lot of players are communicating daily between Toronto and Guelph. That sucks. Why can’t they go back to Lamport now?

I don't want to judge Hicks as a RB when he has had 20 carries in the past three games. Let's see how he does with 10-15 per game.

Lamport wouldn't work because the team doesn't keep its gear there. They still don't have access to BMO or their locker room/facility, so it has to be Guelph for three more weeks.

[paulwoods13]

Jack Cassar whiffed on blocking Kramdhi that led to a Kelly sack / forced fumble, then later in the game Cassar whiffed on Willie J allowing him to sack Kelly - maybe the guy is a linebacker and not a fullback, and as shatto has noted - WTF are they dressing 2 fullbacks anyhow ?

I don't know a lot about the ins and outs of line play, but on the first "whiff," it looked to my untrained eye like Cassar did precisely what he was expected to do -- if so, that sack is on the coaches and/or the scheme. As to why they are dressing two FBs, I imagine the primary reason is they don't have a NAT backup receiver who can be as useful as Parasalidis on special teams. The lack of a viable NAT receiver is a problem for sure.

[ArgoRavi]

I think the terrible performance from the O-line revealed a sad truth about Chad Kelly: It’s crystal clear that he doesn’t have the foot speed and escapability that he had in ‘23, which makes it highly unlikely he can approach that level of excellence again. That’s life I suppose but it’s still a bummer.

I disagree with this. He moved around quite well to avoid the rush last night.

I agree, AV. I am not seeing what Rich is seeing.