Argofans

Almost 3.6 million Canadians watched the big game last night - there was a substantial increase on English-language TV and a substantial decrease on French-language TV.

Interesting to see that 375k watched on CTV Toronto which beat out the Chiefs/Bills game on CTV2.

https://3downnation.com/2024/11/18/111t ... itle-game/

Good to see solid numbers. Let's keep the presence on CTV going and hopefully we'll see further growth.

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 18, 2024 11:40 am This is apropos of nothing, really, but if anyone has an hour or so to spare, it's quite something to read the main Grey Cup thread over on Morning Big Blue. The overconfidence/hubris before the game are astonishing; the recriminations/anger after are breathtaking.

Thanks for the heads up, a truly entertaining read.

ARGO57 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 18, 2024 9:09 pm

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 18, 2024 11:40 am This is apropos of nothing, really, but if anyone has an hour or so to spare, it's quite something to read the main Grey Cup thread over on Morning Big Blue. The overconfidence/hubris before the game are astonishing; the recriminations/anger after are breathtaking.

Thanks for the heads up, a truly entertaining read.

That was something, for sure. A couple of good one-liners in there, but man, so much rage being spewed as the game wore on.... at least they were good enough to &*%$ their expletives. I would hate to be the innocent third party in some of their households after the game, given how much some of them claimed they would be drinking.

I don't have much to say. A well rounded performance, specials did their job. Arbuckle's MVP is debatable but hard to pinpoint one individual. A true team win. First time hearing the opener sing ever and actually wasn't bad at all. Anthem is a different story.

Curious how the team would have responded if there was no penalty on the blocked punt. What a change in momentum. Bombers couldn't recover after that. I was nervous that block would kill the team's chances.

ArgoGabe22 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 18, 2024 10:09 pm I don't have much to say. A well rounded performance, specials did their job. Arbuckle's MVP is debatable but hard to pinpoint one individual. A true team win. First time hearing the opener sing ever and actually wasn't bad at all. Anthem is a different story.

Curious how the team would have responded if there was no penalty on the blocked punt. What a change in momentum. Bombers couldn't recover after that. I was nervous that block would kill the team's chances.

The blocked punt/illegal interference was irrelevant IMO as Jefferson's interception two plays later put them pretty much in the same spot on the field.

Oh boy was that exhausting, but we won, and not only did we win, we blew them out of the water!

I'll have more thoughts once I'm semi-lucid.

paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 18, 2024 11:49 am Oh, and one of the dumbest things I have ever heard on 3DownNation's podcast (and there have been a few over the years) was Justin Dunk's assertion that "Toronto is a house of cards. You talk to people around the league and they're surprised the Argos are here without a true president. And Michael Pinball Clemons, with all due respect, is not a true general manager of this football team. . . . It's a house of cards."

Fact check: The Argos do not have a president, true. Pinball is not a general manager in the traditional sense, true. And yet somehow they not only made it to their second Grey Cup game in three years, but they won it going away despite an injury to their starting QB. Some house of cards, eh?

Crazy thing for 3DownNation to say. Mike might reply to that by quoting one of his favourite poems "Man in the Arena" Teddy Roosevelt.

I had the good fortune to speak with a bunch of players, coaches, staff, families and Keith Pelley at the Grey Cup this week.

It is remarkable how much Mike is loved by them all. Everyone wants to work for him. He is a man of integrity. He is respected and trusted without reservation.

On the business side has a full understanding of the realities of being a professional football player living in Toronto but coming from almost anywhere on the planet.

His expectations for his players and coaches are high.

The families I talked to all speak warmly of him and how much he loves family and why their son came to Toronto. Mike asked them to.

Given the realities of the CFL, Mike's hands are largely tied to how many elite athletes he can resign. If budget wasn't an issue, I am pretty sure his attrition rate would be near zero. Jamal Peters and Stiggers were the core of a great defensive backfield.

If Mike hires exceptional people and delegates, that is something to recognise him for.

Pinball said earlier in the season that last years downfall was that the team peaked too soon. He wanted to change that. I saw firsthand this team peaked in the second half of the Grey Cup and went on to destroy the Bombers.

I agree with Paul. How else do you measure success if it isn't finishing first in your division & Grey Cup wins.
Having depth where you lose your QB and still upset the Bombers.

I saw an article that said that the Bombers were the superior team even after the win. It is just that they scored less points???

Do better 3DownNation

So much to peruse through:

1. How about Lirim Hajrullahu battling through pain to kick 4 field goals, 4 converts and be effective on kickoffs? You could tell he was in pain out there.

2. The trust in Nick Arbuckle was justified.

3. Ka'Deem Carey ran hard, got a touchdown and had a fine game as well.

4. Ryan Hunter struggled, but Willie Jefferson is one of the best out there.

5. I admittedly had forgotten who #19 was when the pick-six took place.

6. Really wish Wynton got that pick-six. He was a beast out there.

7. DBs came up clutch! Benjie Franklin Fan Club!

8. O'Shea had a no-win scenario, put Collaros in with a cut hand or put whatever the backup's name was in the 4th quarter of a Grey Cup.

9. Brady who?

10. Assuming they're both still here in '25, Polk and Coxie will make a scary boundary duo.

11. Let's get Kevin Mital's role expanded in '25.

12. Thankful for obscure CFL rules (especially on the punt block)

13. Streaker

14. I was on TV

15. Ryan Dinwiddie is the greatest coach in team history.

Will wrote: ↑Tue Nov 19, 2024 4:52 pm So much to peruse through:



12. Thankful for obscure CFL rules (especially on the punt block)

Not a factor, considering Jefferson picked off a pass, what 2 plays later?

So...what a great way to finish the season.

It was crazy the way all the"experts" not only picked the Bombers to win, but win big. I guess they all forgot the Bombers only averaged 12.5 points per game against the Argos in the 2 regular season meetings. Argos match up well against that offence.
Arbuckle...damn what a great job. What a great story. Admittedly, I was on team MBT in 2021, and I stand by that. But something about him playing for Dinwiddie...brings out the best in him. I don't expect any team to offer him starter's money, so I really hope he stays. A competent back up is so hard to find, and he proved he is more than competent.
Ryan Dimwiddie. I hope those that love to bad mouth him just shut up and go away. He is the most successful, and probably the best HC the Argos have had in my 40+ years of going to games. People say that he had a great team, but what successful coaches don't have a great team?
Great to see the love the team gave Kelly. He has been through so much BS for NOT committing a crime, it's not funny. The love from his teammates who were all around tells me a lot.
I hope they can keep as many of these players as possible, but know that it won't be easy. But I have faith in Pinball and his crew finding the right replacements.
This season finished off so nicely, It might be my favourite championship team ever, or at least up there with '83.