ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – Argos head coach Jim Barker mentioned earlier this season that one day the Argos would begin to unveil more aggressive parts of their playbook. He went on to say that doing so would depend largely on the development of CFL rookie quarterback Cleo Lemon.
“That was a cool experience…It’s been a while since I put on the receivers hands but Cory did a great job getting (the ball) to me.”
– Argos QB Cleo Lemon on the Argos creative playbook that has been unveiled the last two games.
Lemon has shown growth as each week has passed and Saturday’s game against the Montreal Alouettes, as well last week’s contest in Edmonton, showed that the Argos are starting to get comfortable enough with Lemon’s progress to open up the playbook a bit more and allow for some more high-risk, high-reward play-calling.
Following an opening-play flea flicker in which Lemon hit receiver Brandon Rideau for a 36-yard gain in Edmonton, Barker, Lemon and the rest of the Argos offence exploded against the Als.
Complete with new crossing routes, creative play actions, throwbacks and fake punts, the Boatmen kept the Alouettes defence on their heels all night long.
Perhaps the most creative play-call came in the first quarter when Lemon pitched the ball to RB Cory Boyd on a sweep to the right side of the offensive line only for Boyd to reverse field and toss the ball to an unguarded Lemon who had leaked out into the Als secondary. Boyd connected with Lemon for a 13-yard gain that would lead to a Toronto (Boyd) major two plays later.
“That was a cool experience,” Lemon said of the play after game – with a smirk. “It’s been a while since I put on the receivers hands but Cory did a great job getting (the ball) to me.”
“(Cory) could have thrown a better ball,” Lemon chuckled. “If he had, I probably could have got to the (end)zone.”
Lemon’s aforementioned growth has pleased Barker and surprised many outside the Argos’ locker room. To put up such a strong offensive game against a team of Montreal’s calibre is a true testament to where the quarterback is this early in his CFL career.
“Heading into the season you are not sure how your quarterback is going to develop, but ours is developing very nicely,” Barker stated.
As for Barker’s intentions regarding the expanded playbook, his reasoning extends far beyond waiting for his offence to develop – it is part of his coaching pedigree.
“You can’t play afraid and you have to be willing to make plays. If it didn’t work (everyone) would be saying why would you go and fake a punt?”