Where are you ranking this team relative to the other Grey Cup winners since 1983?

[Will]

I don't know if anyone is going go try and make an argument that this 2024 team was better than 1983, 1991, 1996 or 1997, but what about the other Grey Cup champs (2004, 2012, 2017, 2022)?

[bluto]

The team or the team that played in the Grey Cup game?
Important distinction.

[Will]

Consider the entire season.

[paulwoods13]

IMO the closest comparison is 2004. The Argos played nearly half of that season without their starting QB -- IIRC Bishop went 4-4 in relief of Allen. They were underdogs and won fairly handily, although they didn't run away with it at the end the way this year's team did.

The original post was correct in suggesting that 1983, 1991, 1996 and 1997 are in a class of their own. Toronto was dominant for those entire seasons and went into each Grey Cup as the favourite (I'm not sure about the odds in 1983, especially given that it was in B.C.'s home stadium, but Argos should have been favoured and likely were, I think).

If I had to rank the other four, I'd go with 2024 as the best team because they finished above .500 despite the QB issue. But I have fonder memories of the other three teams, in part because I was at those Grey Cups and in part (in 2017 and 2022, at least) because the Grey Cup games were more dramatic.

[ArgoRavi]

One clarification, Paul - the Argos were underdogs by, I believe, 3 points in 1983. I remember that because I was ticked off about it.

[TICATS SUCK !]

I agree that the our championship teams from '83, '91, '96, & '97 can't be challenged by the ones that followed. For what it's worth I decided to rank the other teams in the following five categories (1 point for 5th, 5 points for 1st):

1. Regular season win %
2. Reg. season points for/against
record
3. Reg. Season record of play-off
opponents
4. Avg. margin of victory in play-off
games
5. Margin of victory in the Grey Cup

Using these variables, the 2024 team ranked 1st. Adding in the adversity this team went through makes this edition of the Double Blue my choice.

[TrueBlueGuy]

IMO the closest comparison is 2004. The Argos played nearly half of that season without their starting QB -- IIRC Bishop went 4-4 in relief of Allen. They were underdogs and won fairly handily, although they didn't run away with it at the end the way this year's team did.

The original post was correct in suggesting that 1983, 1991, 1996 and 1997 are in a class of their own. Toronto was dominant for those entire seasons and went into each Grey Cup as the favourite (I'm not sure about the odds in 1983, especially given that it was in B.C.'s home stadium, but Argos should have been favoured and likely were, I think).

If I had to rank the other four, I'd go with 2024 as the best team because they finished above .500 despite the QB issue. But I have fonder memories of the other three teams, in part because I was at those Grey Cups and in part (in 2017 and 2022, at least) because the Grey Cup games were more dramatic.

for sure 2017 and 2022 Cups were more dramatic, that might be a factor in ranking those teams a notch below the 2024 squad, which I would do, just like you have, Paul. With the roller-coaster season of the Kelly suspension, lengthy injuries to McManis and other starters, plugging the injury holes, losing 3 times to the Ticats, winning games at the toughest road sites (BC, Montreal, Winnipeg) the 2024 season sounds to me like a sure-fire topic for a book ? (hint, hint )

[paulwoods13]

It might make a hell of a book, but someone else would need to take that project on. I'm still not done the book I started almost three (!) years ago. Fell behind for various reasons, haven't been able to get it over the finish line yet.

[AngeloV]

One clarification, Paul - the Argos were underdogs by, I believe, 3 points in 1983. I remember that because I was ticked off about it.

Unless you are a gambler, you should never be ticked off about a point spread in a game. It really means nothing in the end.

[Will]

It might make a hell of a book, but someone else would need to take that project on. I'm still not done the book I started almost three (!) years ago. Fell behind for various reasons, haven't been able to get it over the finish line yet.

But, you're the only professional writer here (to my knowledge).