Game Thread: Toronto Argonauts @ Hamilton Tiger-Cats

[primetime321]

It is agreed that the defense misses Brinkman and Mc manis but the d-line is lacking the height it had last season, which affects the throwing lanes for opposing qb’s. In addition, they’re also lacking a true MLB like last season. McManus and Jones are better at WILL and at attacking the backfield rather than staying home. Even though Sopik has had a good season thus far, they lose a bit of speed and strength when he plays WILL.

[TrueBlueGuy]

Pickett was the single largest loss this Argo team has suffered thru vs 2023... More than AJ. This will be very clear next week.

[ArgoRavi]

Pickett was the single largest loss this Argo team has suffered thru vs 2023... More than AJ. This will be very clear next week.

You have to make choices with the salary cap though, especially when you're paying your starting QB much more than you did a year ago. Something has to give. It's just unfortunate that the 16-2 season and that remarkable team went to waste last year.

[shatto]

Agree you have to make salary decisions but as much as I like Daniels, for the money he is being paid, the team would have been better off paying that to keep Pickett.

[Will]

I was disappointed in the way the d-line played as well. However, for whatever reason, Hamilton's o-line hasn't been a problem for them this year. That said, the d-line has been inconsistent this year.

[AngeloV]

In addition, they’re also lacking a true MLB like last season. McManus and Jones are better at WILL and at attacking the backfield rather than staying home. Even though Sopik has had a good season thus far, they lose a bit of speed and strength when he plays WILL.

Great point. I was saying the same thing yesterday. I would like to see them try Cassar in the middle and move McManis (when back or Jones back to WILL.

[AngeloV]

Overall, a very disappointing game yesterday. Slow starts will kill you.
They made good adjustments in the 2nd half defensively, but, still could not get the key stop they needed on the last Ti-Cats drive. Whatever zone they were playing in the first half, take it out of the play book. I really wish they had kept Oakman.
Offensively, they just need to finish off drives. settling for 5 FG's is not great. Nice to have the kicker that can make them, but you can't settle that often. Nicastro getting blown up on the QB draw irked me. IMO, he's much better at guard. I hope if Ciraco comes back healthy, they move him back to C and Nicastro to G.
Now 1-4 on the road. That has to change.

On the positive, nice to see the receivers feel a part of the game again. Down field passing is nice to see. Carey ran well again.

Want to say thanks to Argo57 for hosting the get together at his place yesterday. Always great to get together with the boys (gilthethrill, Argolio) for a road game.

[TICATS SUCK !]

As others have mentioned, a disappointing game for the Double Blue. A win would have put us in a position to seriously challenge for 2nd place. Unless Ottawa implodes, I don't envision a scenario that sees the Argos getting that spot. Two of the 3 wins this weak Hamilton team has this year have come against us, which is embarrassing/infuriating, not to mention losing the season series. I guess we'll have to be road warriors to win another title.

[ArgoRavi]

Overall, a very disappointing game yesterday. Slow starts will kill you.
They made good adjustments in the 2nd half defensively, but, still could not get the key stop they needed on the last Ti-Cats drive. Whatever zone they were playing in the first half, take it out of the play book. I really wish they had kept Oakman.
Offensively, they just need to finish off drives. settling for 5 FG's is not great. Nice to have the kicker that can make them, but you can't settle that often. Nicastro getting blown up on the QB draw irked me. IMO, he's much better at guard. I hope if Ciraco comes back healthy, they move him back to C and Nicastro to G.
Now 1-4 on the road. That has to change.

On the positive, nice to see the receivers feel a part of the game again. Down field passing is nice to see. Carey ran well again.

Want to say thanks to Argo57 for hosting the get together at his place yesterday. Always great to get together with the boys (gilthethrill, Argolio) for a road game.

I was thinking about Ciraco last night. He was hurt in training camp but dressed as a backup for the first game or two. Then he went on the injured list where he has been ever since. I wonder if he will return this season or not. I wonder the same about Brissett too.

[shatto]

Agree with everyone that the D played badly, the secondary in particular. But there were a few encouraging aspects in the game.
Hajrullahu was very consistent. Glad we have him and not Bede---the way Bede is playing this year. Kelly played well and should continue to improve with more playing time. Ungerer always seems to get separation. It was good to see Mital getting more involved in the game. Hopefully he will get used more during the rest of the season.