ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
MISSISSAUGA — Despite it only being pre-season, many would consider Sunday’s matchup with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as the beginning of a new era in Argoland. After an off-season like no other, filled with changes from an ownership transfer, to a coaching staff overhaul, to a dramatic change in on-field personnel, the ‘new-look’ Argos will get their first chance to show fans what this rendition of the Double Blue is all about.
“I’m looking for our guys to be accountable for how we play,”… “I want them to be conscious of the things we talked about from the beginning in terms of taking penalties, holding on to the football and creating turnovers – those are the things that win football games”.
– Head Coach Jim Barker on what expects from his players come Sunday afternoon.
Given the limitations of having just two pre-season contests in which to evaluate talent, new head coach Jim Barker is hoping that many of his players, especially the newcomers, hold nothing back when they hit the field on Sunday.
“I told them (the players) they need to not be afraid of going out and making plays,” said Barker. “If they have to hold back in order to not take penalties (or limit other errors), then they are probably not going to be able to play here.”
Barker’s approach of ‘going all out’ is just one part of the overall philosophy that he is trying to instill in this club. With the sheer number of players that will be making their way in and out of the game, Barker insists that players have to be held responsible for their own play.
“I’m looking for our guys to be accountable for how we play,” he said. “I want them to be conscious of the things we talked about from the beginning in terms of taking penalties, holding on to the football and creating turnovers – those are the things that win football games”.
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As the ‘arms race’ continues at training camp, Barker confirmed on Saturday morning that he does have a rotation mapped out for his quarterbacks. Cleo Lemon will start the game, followed by Danny Brannagan, Dalton Bell and Ken Dorsey. However, he did mention that the plan may change as the game progresses and that there is not a strict time limit (such as the traditional quarter-per-pivot ) on the players’ time behind centre.
Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. at Rogers Centre Sunday afternoon. There is no television or over-the-air radio coverage of this game, but audio of the broadcast by Mike Hogan and Peter Martin will be streamed on FAN590.com. For fans who can’t make it to the game, argonauts.ca will feature live updates via the CFL Live Play feature. For tickets, please call 416-872-5000 or click here to purchase online.
NOTES: Newly re-acquired RB Cory Boyd will not dress as he recovers from a head injury.