DAVID ALTER
Argonauts.ca Columnist
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.
_________________________________________
19 weeks later it all comes down to five days to play for another week.
ArgosTV caught up with members of the Boatmen to get both veterans’ and newcomers’ persepectives of how they will approach the upcoming tilt.
CLICK HERE to watch video.
It’ll be the first Argos playoff game in three years as the Boatmen visit Ivor Wynne Stadium, for just the second time this season, to take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. There’s no telling what to expect, but you’ve got to praise head coach Jim Barker for resting players this past week who truly earned what you could consider a personal bye-week.
Chad Owens and Cory Boyd sat out while Cleo Lemon saw minimal action, whereas the Ticats used a different approach by keeping their starters in what was a must-win for the B.C. Lions.
I have a hard time describing the Argos’ season in a few words. One word is ‘surprising’. After several personnel changes over the last three years the Argos managed to finish with a .500 record which many would not have expected.
Another word is ‘resilient’. In games the Argos statistically would appear to have no business winning, they managed to get a big play that would totally change the complexion of the match.
‘Disciplined’ is another word, as the Argos transformed themselves from one of the most penalized teams to the least penalized. I’d be remised if I didn’t mention some of the other words that have to be put in the same category.
‘Inconsistency’ when it comes to putting points on the board through the air offensively.
‘Unproven’ when it comes to an offence that has yet to dominate the opposition.
Now is the time for some of the unproven Argos to step up and show what they can do when everything is on the line. Going into the season, there was very little pressure. Expectations changed quickly after a 5-2 start. The Ticats dominated the Argos in all three games played this year, and the Hamilton defence gave Cleo Lemon and the rest of the offence fits.
The Tiger-Cats will be seen as heavy favourites given they are hosting the game and have been dominant in the three regular season games between these two teams. One has to believe that Barker will preach to his players that they are the underdogs in this one, and that it will be Hamilton that has more weight on its shoulders.
Afterall, it was Hamilton that hosted a playoff game last year, after several seasons of missing the playoffs, only to lose to a B.C. team they had swept during the regular season. It is Hamilton that has yet to win a CFL playoff game since 2001.
What has to concern the Argos was the steady decline in which the Argos fell to the Ticats in all three head-to-head games. The first one at Rogers Centre was a battle of two offences that had a hard time producing. Game two at Ivor Wynne saw the Hamilton offence start to produce and their defence forced several Argos turnovers. Game three, easily the worst of them all, was complete Hamilton dominance at Rogers Centre. Surely the feeling of that 30-3 loss in week 16 is what has to be on the minds of many Argos. Boyd was ineffective in that game, granted he was also playing hurt. Cleo Lemon was picked off twice as the entire offence had a hard time hanging onto the ball.
What I like about the CFL the most is its unpredictability, it’s hard to say what the outcome will be, but the Argos can pull this one out if they stick with what has been working. So what has worked?
1. Boyd. Create the holes for Cory Boyd and get at least 100 yards or more from your feature back.
2. Utilize everything Owens. Not only has Chad Owens been virtually automatic when it comes to giving the Argos excellent field position, he’s been arguably their best receiver. Lemon needs to try to get him the ball.
3. Be creative. We’ve seen the Argos do some incredible trick plays this year. One has to feel that there are a few tricks up Barker’s sleeve that we have yet to see. If the Argos find themselves in a situation where they need a rapid change of momentum their way, look for Barker to go into his bag of tricks.
4. Bend but don’t break defence. The Argos defence has been consistent and effective for the most part, they need to stay that way.
5. Stay disciplined. If the Argos can continue to stay away from penalty trouble, they’ll be in it until the very end of the game.
We’ve seen the Argos pull off a lot this season, how far they have come in their progress will be determined on Sunday.