ROSTER | GAME NOTES | TORONTO DEPTH CHART (print version) | MONTREAL DEPTH CHART (print version) | VIDEO: RICH STUBLER’S PRE-GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
Opponent: Montreal
Alouettes
Date: Friday,
August 15, 2008
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Nissan Tailgate: 5:00 p.m.
Location: Rogers Centre
Television: TSN/TSNHD
Radio: FAN590.com/SIRIUS
Last Meeting: October 20, 2007 – Toronto 16 @ Montreal 9
Records: Toronto (3-4); Montreal (4-3)
Toronto Injuries: RB Andre Durie, RB Tyler Ebell, WR Bethel Johnson, WR
Johnnie Morant
Montreal Injuries: LB Dwayne Taylor, DB Matthieu Proulx, DB Étienne Boulay,
DB Mark Estelle, QB Chris Leak, DB Jesse Hendrix, QB Ricky Santos, FB Mike
Vilimek, OL Skip Seagraves, OL Dave Mudge, OL Jeff Keeping, WR Elijah Thurmon,
WR Dave Stala.
Starting Quarterbacks: TOR – Kerry Joseph; MTL – Anthony Calvillo
What to Look For:
– Toronto is 6-1-0 in its last seven home
games and 7-2-0 in its last nine home games.
– Toronto is 5-1-0 in home games against East Division opponents dating back to 2007.
– Last season, the Argos won the head-to-head season series against the Als for the first time since 2005. They split four games at
two wins each but the Argos outscored Montreal 91 PF, 81PA.
– The Argos are 4-6-0 in their last 10
games at Rogers Centre against Montreal, but the Argos have outscored Montreal 246 PF, 233
PA in those ten games.
– 19 of the past 22 regular season match-ups
between Toronto and Montreal have been decided by 7 or more points. 10 of the past 22
regular season contests between the two clubs have been decided by at least 20 points.
– Toronto’s defence has allowed opposing
offences (offensive majors and kicking points only) to
score 30 or more points in a game just
seventeen times, the fewest in the CFL since 2003.
Perhaps more noteworthy, the Argonauts have held
opposing offences to less than 20 offensive
points on fifty-two occasions, the most in
the CFL, since 2003.
Preview:
Despite a disappointing loss to the Hamilton
Tiger-Cats last week, the Argos can jump back into a first place tie in the
East with a win over another rival, the Montreal Alouettes during CFL Friday
Night Football.
The Argos are seven weeks into the 2008
season and still trying to cement their identity as they head into a bye
week. They will be going up against a Montreal team that, despite losing
three of their first seven games, have surprised many with their consistent
offensive attack with Anthony Calvillo utilizing all of his weapons including
all-stars Ben Cahoon, Kerry Watkins and his new favourite target, Jamel
Richardson.
The Argos offence, will receive a much-needed
boost as rookie receiver James Robinson returns to the lineup, replacing
WR Johnnie Morant, after missing last week with an injury.
Although Robinson has shown flashes of brilliance this season, it is another
rookie receiver that has stolen the spotlight as of late in Reggie McNeal.
The Texas A&M product, who joined the Argos as a quarterback, impressed in
his debut last week in Hamilton, leading the club with six receptions for 101
yards.
This will be OT Ross Weaver’s last
game as an Argo as he has been recalled to active duty by the United States Air
Force. He will report to Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming and join
the 321st Missile Squadron on August 19. First Lieutenant Weaver was
granted leave by the Air Force and they have since determined that his area of
expertise (nuclear weapons/missile training) is necessary for the foreseeable
future. He has completed 2 years of his required 5 years of service and must
now complete the remaining three years as per his agreement with the Air Force.
The Argos would like to salute Ross and wish him the best of luck as he returns
home to serve his country.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Rogers Centre and
the Nissan Tailgate Party begins at 5:00 p.m. in the Bremner Street parking
lot. To purchase tickets, call 416-341-ARGO or CLICK HERE to purchase online.