ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – Not many had predicted this scenario – a Week 5 battle between the Toronto Argonauts and the Montreal Alouettes with an early-season hold on first place at stake.
Call it a surprise or attention to detail or a change in culture. Regardless of what you call it, the Double Blue have somehow found a way to squeak out three straight wins and will face their toughest challenge this Thursday when they travel to Montreal to take on the Alouettes.
Going up against the defending Grey Cup champs is undoubtedly a challenge for any team, especially an Argonauts squad that hasn’t recorded a victory at Montreal’s McGill Stadium since 2005. Cornerback Byron Parker recorded his first career touchdown, albeit on offence, that season in Montreal and knows full well that a win over the Als would be a huge statement for his club and would send a message throughout the league that their quick start is no happenstance.
“You always want to measure yourself up against the best,” Parker said before boarding a train to Montreal. “We have to go out there and play hard and play well, and that will be a good judgment as to where we are as a team. Right now 4-1 is our focus and we can’t think about anything else.”
Argos head coach Jim Barker also understands the stiff test that his club is up against and he’s quick to point out that there are no easy games in the CFL.
“Every team in this league is tough,” Barker admitted. “Every week there is great parity and we are only four games into an 18 game season, and we understand that. We are a team that is young and growing and we learn every week.”
“You always want to measure yourself up against the best…We have to go out there and play hard and play well, and that will be a good judgment as to where we are as a team. Right now 4-1 is our focus and we can’t think about anything else.”
– Veteran CB Byron Parker on facing the Als for first place in the East Division on the line.
The Argos’ biggest challenge Thursday night could be trying to build on their biggest offensive strength. The Argos have done a masterful job of running the ball during their current winning streak, totalling 485 yards on the ground in the three games. Of those yards, 399 belong to CFL rushing leader Cory Boyd who has been the club’s workhorse so far this season.
This week, however, the Argos are facing an Als defence that leads the league in numerous run defence categories, only allowing 338 net yards on the ground in the first four weeks of the season. With an average of 6.5 yards per carry, it should be interesting to see how Boyd fares against a Montreal front four that has allowed the fewest rushing first downs in the league (21).
On the other side of the ball, the interesting matchup is undoubtedly Montreal QB Anthony Calvillo going up against a ball-hawking Toronto secondary. The Argos defence leads the league in interceptions with eight (8) and is second in interception return yards with 106 and a touchdown. Conversely, the Alouettes pose a threat to the Argos secondary, leading the league in passing first downs with 60.
This will mark the first of two meetings the Argos have with the Alouettes in the next three weeks. The rematch on is already slated for August 14 at Rogers Centre. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday night and can be seen on TSN, TSNHD and RDS or heard on THE FAN 590.
Roster Notes: DB Michael Grant has been placed back on the active roster and will replace Leon Joe who has been moved to the PR…LB Jeremy Unertl returns to the injured list for the second time this year and his roster spot will be taken by newcomer WR Carl Berman who spent the first four weeks on the PR…OT Shannon Boatman will make his third consecutive start at right tackle as OT Chris Van Zeyl continues to heal a foot injury…DB Alphonso Hodge was placed on the 9-game injured list joining WR Reggie McNeal.