Game Thread - June 14, 2025 - Argonauts vs Stampeders

[AngeloV]

I feel like they needed to switch QB’s after putting up 4 points at the half. Especially after the Arbuckle patented pre halftime turnover. If Dukes was on the roster, you know he’s coming in, so if you pick 2 other guys instead of him, why not try them out? I keep hearing we don’t have speed or no one was open. It looks that way when you never throw to the middle of the field. Daniel’s’ was visibly frustrated with his hands up a few times. Brissett and Mital were open at times, but the window closes too fast for Arbuckle’s ducks. He’s really lost some zip on the ball it seems. All game it was look down the sideline or look it off and hit Ungerer on the comeback or Williams check down. Way too easy to defend that, especially in the red zone and that’s why they couldn’t finish drives. I don’t mind starting Arbuckle next week with a fresh new game plan. It’s frustrating losing games that are so winnable.

I agree 100%. At half time, Arbuckle was responsible for 2 opposition defensive TD’s while only getting his team into the end zone once. Not saying he can’t turn it around, but if ever there was time for a change it was there. It’s not like the line was not giving him time. Pass rush was not an issue this week. Arbuckle throws a nice long ball, and too many people equate that to having a strong arm. The pick six he through just is a ball he should never throw to the wide side, 20 yards down field.

[paulwoods13]

If there's one thing we've learned from Dinwiddie over four-plus seasons, it's that he does not change QBs mid-game, no matter how things are going. It's particularly unlikely that he would replace Arbuckle with either a raw rookie or a guy who has been in the system for three weeks. For better or worse, if Arbuckle starts this week (and I'm 99% sure he will), he will be the QB throughout the game.

I get it, as I said, it goes against cutting Dukes if these two guys are there for injury only. How many times over the last few years has someone’s 3rd string come in and torched the Argos? Frequent enough for my liking. Everyone’s a raw rookie at some point. Even if it’s a series or two to see if something can look different. Quite common to see many teams do that.

IMO even if Dukes were still here, RD would not have benched Arbuckle for him. He simply doesn't pull his starting QB. On the second point, I cannot think of a single time a third-string QB has torched the Argos. I can recall Hamilton using 3rd and 4th-stringers, and losing, on Labour Day in 2022. And I recall Sask using Dolegala, and losing, earlier in 2022. If there are other times when a 3rd even played, much less torched the Argos, they are gone from my memory.

[paulwoods13]

One thing I've really noticed through the first two weeks: how many players who started their CFL careers in Toronto are now significant players elsewhere, and how few significant players the Argos have who started elsewhere. Our recruitment has been top-notch over the past four seasons, but it's going to be severely tested this year. I was fascinated to hear Pinball publicly call for Vince Magri (who left before last season started) to be given a GC ring. Magri was indeed a massively important part of the success this team has had since 2021, and it has never been evident (to me, at least) how (or if) he has been replaced. A mgmt group that once had Magri, John Murphy and Alex Russell now has just Murphy. Sooner or later, the impact of those losses will be felt. Might be this season. Our draft, which has been A+ in recent years, is not looking too hot at the moment although maybe some of those guys will be here next season.

Am I accurate in that you are asking the question of how many losses to players, coaches, etc, is too many?

That's certainly part of it. We have lost a ton of impact players the past two years. Last year we weathered the storm; doing it two years in a row might have been impossible regardless of who was in charge of the roster, but my contention is that we are starting to feel tangible effects (especially on the NAT side) of the departures of Magri and Russell. It's far too early to write off this year's draft as a fail, but at the moment it sure does not look like a success.

[TrueBlueGuy]

I had to watch a recorded version. Thank goodness for fast forward.

With all the losses on defence, and Kellys absence, the results so far have been pretty predictable. What has been surprising is the mediocre play of Arbuckle and special teams (due to injury no doubt). There is no player on defence or offence who has looked like they are capable of taking over a game.

The Argos have 3 games before the bye week. Its unlikely they will beat the Roughriders even if Kelly plays. The Ottawa and Hamilton games will be interesting. Even if they start 0 and 5 the season will not be over.

Yes, it will be over...check out the 2024 Ticats season. Maybe at 1-and-4 things might still work out in 2025. but not oh&5.
I know, the 2024 Bombers is going to be your answer...but not true; not a comparable talent level here in 2025 vs the Bombers in 2024.

[Unplayable]

I don't believe that this year's Argo team is as bad as last year's Ticat team. Perhaps they will prove me wrong. Time and injuries will tell.

[AngeloV]

I don't believe that this year's Argo team is as bad as last year's Ticat team. Perhaps they will prove me wrong. Time and injuries will tell.

That Ti-Cats team also had to catch one of 3 eastern teams that had good records most of the year. At this point the Argos are 1 game out of 2nd. Hamilton was 4 or 6 points back of the other 3 teams at this point last season. Much bigger hill to climb.