ARGOS SEEK REDEMPTION IN REMATCH WITH STAMPS
ROSTER | GAME NOTES | TORONTO DEPTH CHART (print version) | CALGARY DEPTH CHART| VIDEO: DON MATTHEWS PRE-GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
Opponent: Calgary Stampeders
Date: Friday, September 27, 2008
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Rogers Centre
Television: TSN/TSNHD
Radio:FAN590.com/SIRIUS
Last Meeting: September 20, 2008 – Toronto 4 @ Calgary 34
Records: Toronto (4-8); Calgary (8-4)
Toronto Injuries: LB Jean-Nicolas Carriere, WR Obed Cétoute, DL Adrian Davis, RB Tyler Ebell, LB Michael Fletcher, WR Nathan Hoffart, WR James Robinson, OG Jude St. John, LB Chuck Winters.
Calgary Injuries: DB Marc Calixte, DB Milton Collins, QB Dave Dickenson, OL Godfrey Ellis, OL Antonio Hall, DE Jullian Jenkins, DS Richard Karikari, DL Mike Labinjo.
Starting Quarterbacks: TOR – TBA; CGY – #1 Henry Burris
What to Look For:
– The Argonauts haven’t lost to the Stampeders at Rogers Centre since 2000.That’s seven
straight games.
– The Argos are 2-2-0 against the Stampeders in their last four meetings and 6-4-0 in their past 10 contests.
– When Calgary and Toronto square off, the home team has won 8 of the last 9 games dating back to 2004.The lone exception was Canada Day weekend in 2005 when the Argos edged the Stamps 22-16.
Preview:
The Calgary Stampeders bring an 8-4 record into Rogers Centre to take on the Boatmen in a rematch of last week.
Cody Pickett, who made his first career CFL start last week at McMahon Stadium, looked confident in the pocket last week but could not seem to get the big play at crucial moments in the game. Factor in that fumbles and dropped passes stalled potential scoring drives and one can only assume that Pickett would be seeking retribution if he gets the start in the second game of a home-and-home series with the West Division powerhouse from Cowtown. Otherwise, reigning Most Outstanding Player Kerry Joseph waited patiently on the sidelines, and has taken his fair share of reps this week in practice, and will be ready should Matthews elect to start him this week.
In an attempt to add some new wrinkles into the Argos offence this week, second-year tailback Andre Durie at his disposal. The former York University standout who spent the first half of the season on the injured list, will likely see a few more touches than usual.
Despite the offence’s struggles lately, it seems like the defence is coming around especially along the interior line. It would not be unfair to say that a lot of the improvement has to do with the arrival of CFL rookies Walter Curry and Claude Harriott who presented challenges to Stampeders QB Henry Burris.
Harriott, who Coach Don Matthews eluded to as one of his best players this week, made his first start at rush end last week in place of DE Riall Johnson. Johnson will return to the lineup this week and will likely rotate into the line.
Johnson, OT Jerome Davis and FB Steve Schmidt will all return to the 46-man roster this week as LB J.N. Carriere and DS James Robinson sit out with injuries.
Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. ET at Rogers Centre and can be seen on TSN/TSN HD and heard on either, FAN590.com or SIRIUS. The Nissan Tailgate Party will be in effect rain or shine and will begin at 3:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, call 416-341-ARGO or CLICK HERE to purchase online.