DAVID ALTER
Special To Argonauts.ca
David Alter is a reporter and sportscaster for Toronto’s Sports Radio THE FAN 590. David covers the Argos and has covered football at every level dating back to 2003.
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TORONTO — In the aftermath of their season opening loss, Argos head coach Jim Barker stressed that he wanted to see progression from week-to-week. He called his starting quarterback, Cleo Lemon, a work-in-progress while pointing out that he wanted to see more from his receivers.
There were numerous times in Winnipeg where Lemon showed all the necessary skills to be a quarterback in the CFL. He made timely decisions; electing to scramble and run when he couldn’t find a receiver open. He wasn’t afraid to take a hit; evidenced by his rushing touchdown where he took a helmet-to-helmet collision at the goal line that forced him out of a series.
Too many times we have seen new quarterbacks lose their composure when the pressure is on. This is normal when you are getting accustomed to a new level of play. In Lemon’s case, you could see him learning with every series. His ability to read the blitz in Winnipeg showed how far along he has come after just two CFL games.
Lemon’s improvement wasn’t without the offensive line, which did a much better job of creating holes at the line of scrimmage and allowed both Lemon and RB Cory Boyd to show what they can do. Along with the pass-protection, it went a long way to helping Lemon establish the run game and kept Winnipeg guessing.
Belli effect
While it wasn’t reflected in the stats, the return of Adriano Belli provided an element to the defensive line that was missed in week one. His personality and choice of words in the trenches can be intimidating. When you combine the fact that he didn’t take a single penalty in his return, the Argos defence is better with Belli than without.
Adjustments
When Bombers’ quarterback Buck Pierce led his team back from a 16-0 hole, he kept the Argos guessing by establishing first the running game and then the passing game. The Boatmen adjusted in the second half by closing up the interior which effectively killed Pierce’s ability to rush.
Special Teams
It may be early, but Chad Owens has to be a candidate for Special Teams Player of the Month after another dynamic return to the house. This time it was a 117-yard missed field goal return for a touchdown which killed Winnipeg’s momentum. It turned what would have been a six point lead for the Bombers into an Argos lead that they didn’t give up. Incidentally, Owens finished with more than 300 all-purpose yards on the evening.
Receivers
It was good to see more of the receivers get some yards after Andre Durie seemed to be the best option in week one. You could see the Bombers closing in on Durie, expecting him to be a threat, which opened the door for guys like Jeremaine Copeland and Jeffrey Webb to break through for some timely catches.
There will be issues that will need to be addressed when the Argos review the tape and look ahead to their home opener. They had a nine point lead late in the fourth quarter and nearly coughed it up; the Bombers scored a quick touchdown and a nearly recovered an onside kick. They were also dominated in the total offensive yards category. However, when you compare performances from week-to-week, things are looking up for the Boatmen.