Toronto Argonauts Week 2 Preview: High expectations both on and off field ahead of 150th season
There isn't a team that has been around longer than the Toronto Argonauts and coming off a Grey Cup title the organization will look to carry that momentum.
The Toronto Argonauts are no strangers to starting their season after a Week 1 bye and there are certainly advantages and disadvantages to having the extra prep time.
Toronto also made sure to take care of celebrating last year’s Grey Cup victory with their ring ceremony already being done during their off time. With the banner raising taking place before kickoff, the Argos will have to shift their focus to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats who are not going to make life easy for them.
"The incentive is always going to be there when they're playing Toronto, same for us versus them," head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said after practice this week. "They're going to come in with an edge and they obviously want to beat us at home, especially with the banner going up."
If there is one thing that has changed in Dinwiddie’s time as head coach, it’s that he has found a way to maintain a perfect record at BMO Field against their QEW rival.
There are new challenges for the Argos coach who will have a new quarterback leading his team onto the field with McLeod Bethel-Thompson gone and Chad Kelly given the keys to the offence. To help their new starting quarterback get acclimated to his role, the Argos did their best to keep the majority of their starters on offence from last season.
Going into their game against Hamilton, Toronto will be without receiver Markeith Ambles who was placed on the six-game list with an ankle injury. Dariusz Bladek (undisclosed) and Shane Richards (ankle) will also be sidelined for their season opener.
What the Argos have really taken to heart is ensuring they have adequate depth throughout the lineup. That will be put to the test mostly on defence with a number of players from the championship lineup not playing.
Grey Cup MVP Henoc Muamba was placed on the six-game injured list with a knee injury he suffered in training camp. Whether he will be sidelined all six games is still up in the air but Toronto will be certainly have to lean on others in his absence.
In the off-season, Jordan Williams was the big off-season acquisition and will take Muamba’s spot in the middle of the defence. Fortunately for Toronto, Williams was in that spot all training camp and pre-season.
Fortunately for the Argos Wynton McManis is back after missing time recovering from an injury in training camp. Newcomer Adarius Pickett will also make his debut in the SAM linebacker spot.
The big challenge for Toronto’s defence against Hamilton will be the play of the secondary with Tarvarus McFadden and Qwan’tez Stiggers starting at cornerback. Jamal Peters was not ready to start despite making his return to Argos practice early in the week.
Bo Levi Mitchell has a strong history against the Argos and will be looking to make amends after a slow start against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. It should be Toronto’s goal to make Mitchell uncomfortable in the pocket.
If Toronto can rely on their running game to keep the chains moving and Kelly can get a strong rapport with his receivers, the Argos have a strong chance against a Ticats team seeking retribution and wanting to make a statement.
Given the importance of this season to the Argos organization with this being the 150th season, Toronto will be looking to avoid a letdown to start their season.
The Argos will also be broadcasting every home and road game this season and joining Mike Hogan in the booth will be Ben Grant of the Xs and Argos Podcast. It’s a great addition for Toronto as Grant is highly knowledgeable of the roster and does a great job breaking down plays for even the casual fans.