Pre-Season Game: Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Toronto Argonauts

[ArgoRavi]

In Dinwiddie’s post game presser, he said Kelly has been cleared and wants to play next week. I think Dukes has played his way off the team, and Doege will be #3. At the very least, he’s a more competent short yardage guy, but I also like the way he’s not afraid to throw down field.
Dukes is a very cool guy. I hope if he gets cut, someone picks him up.

I think you are correct Angelo.
We watched the entire game last night, Dukes didn’t distinguish himself at all while both Doege and Horn both played well and appear to have substantial potential.

I think with some good coaching that he did not see in Edmonton, Doege might turn into a really good QB. I thought he looked good 2 years ago when he played against the Argos.

Arbuckle looked awful in both Edmonton and Ottawa and is proof of what good coaching can do.

[OV Argo]

I think you are correct Angelo.
We watched the entire game last night, Dukes didn’t distinguish himself at all while both Doege and Horn both played well and appear to have substantial potential.

I think with some good coaching that he did not see in Edmonton, Doege might turn into a really good QB. I thought he looked good 2 years ago when he played against the Argos.

Arbuckle looked awful in both Edmonton and Ottawa and is proof of what good coaching can do.

And Arbuckle looked quite good when he first came into the league with the Stumps (as did Jake Maier at first); I don't think you can put all of Arbuckle's weak CFL QB play on coaching, but it's certainly part of the big picture - coaching, game-plans and play-book and all the talent on the offensive units surrounding the QB. Again - all sorts of players, and maybe QB in particular, can have ups and downs and good games and bad ones - when they are given lots of playing time opportunity. Vernon Adams goes from spectacular to looking dumb or lost at times. Arbuckle has a decent arm, but nothing special there and has little mobility/ not a run threat; but he was capable of an excellent big game in the GC last year (more of a game manager who didn't make dumb mistakes) and I'd give HC RD and the rest of the offence lots of credit there too.

But can't picture a single CFL team now making a big trade overture to get Arbuckle as their starter now, do you ?

[shatto]

Great night of football in Guelph--warm 1st half and chilly 2nd but the Argos played better in the 2nd half.
My observations and predictions base on that game only (please take with a grain of salt):

.Dukes played ok but not as well as Doege or Horn. Doege looked very good overall and especially in short yardage situations. If Kelly doesn't play in 1st league game, the QB lineup should be Arbuckle, Doege and Dukes with Horn on the PR. When Kelly return Dukes may well be released.

.The RB decisions are going to be tough. Both Mitchell and Williams played very well. Mitchell was explosive and hard to bring down and Mitchell brings speed not seen in the other RBs. Mitchell's long TD run was a thing of beauty. It does not look as if Brown will make the roster.

,Turner was probably the best WR. Hooks also played well but was injured late in the game. We may see Hooks on the Injury list to start the season.

. The OL again played a strong game. Dankwah did not look out of place playing right OT. Unless one of the players is traded there are going to be some very difficult decisions for the coaching staff. With Moore and Hunter at OT, there are at probably 6 other players who could be starters in the middle of the OL.

. The DL looked better in this game. Parish looked very good at DE. Newcomer Allen had flashes of impressive plays at DE. Ojo did not see action until late in the game.

.In the secondary Rutledge showed why he is playing SAM. When Franklin and Milton are ready to play, the secondary will be in excellent shape. Sunderland , George and Hood have all played well and could be on the roster, at least until Franklin ad Milton return. Slywka played most of the time at FS. He didn't appear to have made any mistakes but he also did not make any noticeable plays. Not to beat a dead horse but it would have been nice to see Findley competing for the FS spot.

[paulwoods13]

In Dinwiddie’s post game presser, he said Kelly has been cleared and wants to play next week. I think Dukes has played his way off the team, and Doege will be #3. At the very least, he’s a more competent short yardage guy, but I also like the way he’s not afraid to throw down field.
Dukes is a very cool guy. I hope if he gets cut, someone picks him up.

Doege definitely seems more suited to short-yardage than Dukes. Despite Kelly being cleared, I will be surprised if he dresses this week. I expect they will be super cautious in evaluating him when he returns to full practice. Hogie made it sound last night like Arbuckle is definitely starting on Friday.

[OV Argo]

Great night of football in Guelph--warm 1st half and chilly 2nd but the Argos played better in the 2nd half.
My observations and predictions base on that game only (please take with a grain of salt):

.Dukes played ok but not as well as Doege or Horn. Doege looked very good overall and especially in short yardage situations. If Kelly doesn't play in 1st league game, the QB lineup should be Arbuckle, Doege and Dukes with Horn on the PR. When Kelly return Dukes may well be released.

.The RB decisions are going to be tough. Both Mitchell and Williams played very well. Mitchell was explosive and hard to bring down and Mitchell brings speed not seen in the other RBs. Mitchell's long TD run was a thing of beauty. It does not look as if Brown will make the roster.

,Turner was probably the best WR. Hooks also played well but was injured late in the game. We may see Hooks on the Injury list to start the season.

. The OL again played a strong game. Dankwah did not look out of place playing right OT. Unless one of the players is traded there are going to be some very difficult decisions for the coaching staff. With Moore and Hunter at OT, there are at probably 6 other players who could be starters in the middle of the OL.

. The DL looked better in this game. Parish looked very good at DE. Newcomer Allen had flashes of impressive plays at DE. Ojo did not see action until late in the game.

.In the secondary Rutledge showed why he is playing SAM. When Franklin and Milton are ready to play, the secondary will be in excellent shape. Sunderland , George and Hood have all played well and could be on the roster, at least until Franklin ad Milton return. Slywka played most of the time at FS. He didn't appear to have made any mistakes but he also did not make any noticeable plays. Not to beat a dead horse but it would have been nice to see Findley competing for the FS spot.

Thanks for the nice reports shatto !

Re D-backfield: when is Franklin slated to return? have a hard time believing vet C. Evans is not going to start somewhere; and starting a raw rookie with zero experience in Canadian ball (Slywka ?) at safety is a recipe for disaster perhaps - especially if the D-Line cannot muster lots of pressure.

[gilthethrill]

Great night of football in Guelph--warm 1st half and chilly 2nd but the Argos played better in the 2nd half.
My observations and predictions base on that game only (please take with a grain of salt):

.Dukes played ok but not as well as Doege or Horn. Doege looked very good overall and especially in short yardage situations. If Kelly doesn't play in 1st league game, the QB lineup should be Arbuckle, Doege and Dukes with Horn on the PR. When Kelly return Dukes may well be released.

.The RB decisions are going to be tough. Both Mitchell and Williams played very well. Mitchell was explosive and hard to bring down and Mitchell brings speed not seen in the other RBs. Mitchell's long TD run was a thing of beauty. It does not look as if Brown will make the roster.

,Turner was probably the best WR. Hooks also played well but was injured late in the game. We may see Hooks on the Injury list to start the season.

. The OL again played a strong game. Dankwah did not look out of place playing right OT. Unless one of the players is traded there are going to be some very difficult decisions for the coaching staff. With Moore and Hunter at OT, there are at probably 6 other players who could be starters in the middle of the OL.

. The DL looked better in this game. Parish looked very good at DE. Newcomer Allen had flashes of impressive plays at DE. Ojo did not see action until late in the game.

.In the secondary Rutledge showed why he is playing SAM. When Franklin and Milton are ready to play, the secondary will be in excellent shape. Sunderland , George and Hood have all played well and could be on the roster, at least until Franklin ad Milton return. Slywka played most of the time at FS. He didn't appear to have made any mistakes but he also did not make any noticeable plays. Not to beat a dead horse but it would have been nice to see Findley competing for the FS spot.

Thanks for the nice reports shatto !

Re D-backfield: when is Franklin slated to return? have a hard time believing vet C. Evans is not going to start somewhere; and starting a raw rookie with zero experience in Canadian ball (Slywka ?) at safety is a recipe for disaster perhaps - especially if the D-Line cannot muster lots of pressure.

All I can say about Franklin is that he and McManus where carrying the Grey Cup around during last nights game. He was clad in team issued athletic apparel and seemed to in good spirits while walking fine.

[paulwoods13]

But can't picture a single CFL team now making a big trade overture to get Arbuckle as their starter now, do you ?

The same could be said for virtually every QB in the league, with the possible exception of Rourke. Every team has a solid starter, and many (if not most/all) teams have experience and skill at QB2.

[OV Argo]

QBs: Doege has built up 2 years of CFL roster experience so him getting #2 (while Kelly is out) over Dukes would not be surprising IMO; Dukes cut for Horn would be a bold move by RD, IMO.

O-Line; so much talent to choose from is a good thing; but can't see Nicastro not starting somewhere in the interior - sometimes, some read too much into ex. game depth charts or playing time. Just like I would have a hard time seeing Kevin Brown - most explosive RB in the league just 2 years ago (IMO), being cut for one of 2 rookie RBs just because they had a nice run in an ex. game? Brown did lose his starter job with the EE last season but was still on their roster all year, and Leake was not a rookie.

Ojo not playing much in ex. games is worrying to me - especially with real need at DE now; maybe he will be another Hergott though (on the roster as a rookie to play STs but little D-line opportunity); needs to "develop"

[OV Argo]

But can't picture a single CFL team now making a big trade overture to get Arbuckle as their starter now, do you ?

The same could be said for virtually every QB in the league, with the possible exception of Rourke. Every team has a solid starter, and many (if not most/all) teams have experience and skill at QB2.

Which teams now would you see swapping their current #2 for Arbuckle ?

[ARGO57]

But can't picture a single CFL team now making a big trade overture to get Arbuckle as their starter now, do you ?

The same could be said for virtually every QB in the league, with the possible exception of Rourke. Every team has a solid starter, and many (if not most/all) teams have experience and skill at QB2.

Which teams now would you see swapping their current #2 for Arbuckle ?

Why is this even an argument?
Arbuckle is a very good backup QB who isn’t going anywhere and gives the Argonauts a great insurance policy.