Toronto Argonauts not looking back with big matchup vs. Alouttes

It might just be the third game of the season for the Toronto Argonauts but it's hard not to underscore how important this matchup is against the Montreal Alouettes.

The reigning Grey Cup champions have picked up right where they left off with a 3-0 start after winning eight straight games over the regular season and playoffs, before hoisting the Grey Cup in November.

Toronto has hit the ground running as well with an impressive victory over the B.C. Lions followed by a back-and-forth affair against the Edmonton Elks. However, the true test comes against Montreal but the team is taking the same focused approach as they always do.

Obviously, the devastating loss in the East Final hasn't been totally flushed from memory but the Argos aren't dwelling on it either.

"We haven't talked about it," head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said on what the team's mentality is like heading into the rematch. "That was last year, different team. We're a new team so there might be some things we talked about offensively, schematically that we struggled at and showed those clips. But that was last year and I don't even need to talk about it."

Starting quarterback Cameron Dukes obviously knows that there are still lingering feelings from the loss but knows the focus has to be on the present.

"We're so fired up this week because it's another chance for us to go 1-0," Dukes said. "We just want to get to that point no matter who's in front of us, no matter what we got to do, we want to find a way to get that done."

Of course, getting that done won't be easy considering the Alouettes have been getting the job done on all three phases.

Montreal's defence remains an aggressive unit that forces their opponent to make mistakes especially with their ability to get pressure from their defensive front.

"They're a physical front," Dinwiddie said. "They're stopping the run and doing it with (a) light box so now they're playing coverage and a lot more zone.

"We've got to find ways to run the ball, we've got to establish the run."

The Argonauts have always made a goal to rush for at least 100 yards and that wasn't a problem against the Elks. It is the best way to try and counter an aggressive defence.

For Dukes, he knows that he will have to be prepared to handle the pressure from Montreal and avoid the mistakes Chad Kelly made in the East Final.

"I've got to protect us, get the ball out of my hands and don't sit there and second guess things," Dukes said. "Just have to trust my vision, eyes and read. Get the ball out of my hands quick in order to make the job easier on everybody around us."

Back is DaVaris Daniels who wasn't expected to be out long-term but the six-game injured list designation made some thing he was going to miss more time. Unfortunately Dejon Brissett and Darius Ciraco have landed on the six-game list which again tests the Argos depth once again.

Of course, the big challenge will be shutting down the Alouettes receivers with Cody Fajardo tied for the CFL lead with seven TD passes this season and also has a 73.1 completion percentage and has throw just one interception. Tyson Philpot is second in the league with 340 receiving yards including 124 yards after the catch and Kaion Julien-Grant is seventh with 235 yards.

Expect Montreal to test Toronto's secondary with some big plays after their struggles against Edmonton in Week 3.

This game isn't just a big matchup between two top teams but it's also the return of Ricky Ray who will be added as an all-time Argo and it's nice to finally see him get the call.

Ray was traded to the Argos from Edmonton in late 2011 and would go on to become the team's all-time leader in touchdown passes (114), passing yards (20,205), pass attempts (2,476), pass completions (1,757), and pass completion percentage (71.0). Ray also has the record for most 300-yard games in a season by an Argos quarterback with 13.

It was the trade to Toronto that kept Ray's career going and if anything, cemented his status as a future Hall-of-Famer. It is also a lesson of how a quarterback can overcome the many doubts placed on him and thrive.

Not known as the most expressive person but what Ray did was lead by example and made the winning plays which especially was true in the team's 2017 Grey Cup run. It's something current starting quarterback Dukes has taken note.

"If I can have half the career he did, we're going to have a good career," Dukes said about Ray. "When you talk about doubt, I think I speak for a lot of people that have come from that background where I've been doubted since Day 1 you know at high school I was small as hell so I didn't get many offers.

"I got told no more than I got told yes but I think perseverance and belief in yourself. If you don't believe in yourself nobody will right? Ricky was a guy who believed in himself and never quit. When things don't go your way you just got to keep going."