ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – Four years is a long time for anybody, but in sport it feels like an eternity. November 5, 2006 marked the last time that the Argonauts won a playoff game. It was a come-from-behind 31-27 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
To put into perspective how things have changed; Michael Bishop led the Argos to victory in relief of Damon Allen, Ricky Williams and John Avery made up the Argos’ backfield, R. Jay Soward caught the game’s final touchdown and Arland Bruce lll was still an Argo.
Sunday’s win was more than just the next step taken by a team that is trying to get to the Grey Cup. It was a representation of all the hard work, blood, sweat and tears put in by an organization that is finally starting to turn the corner after falling short in 2007 and missing the playoffs in the two seasons following.
It hasn’t been easy getting to this point. Two dreadful seasons, four coaching changes and an entire personnel overhaul and slowly the Argos are starting to piece everything back together.
The man responsible for a lot of the change is head coach Jim Barker who feels that Sunday’s hard-fought victory was a major emotional boost for some of those who have had to endure the hardships of the last few seasons.
“I am so excited for our players. I am so excited for the players that have been through a couple tough years,” Barker said of the win. “For Kevin Eiben, Kevin Huntley and Willie Pile – to watch those guys in the locker room after that win was choking.”
A proud head coach, Barker seems to have his finger on the pulse of this club. A learning and sometimes struggling offence aided along by a strong, savvy defence and game-altering special teams, it is not a conventional formula, nor the text book example, on how to balance a football team, but it works.
Veteran cornerback Jordan Younger has seen many different systems during tenure in Double Blue. He’s just fine with the unorthodox way his team runs.
“This team is one of the most special that I have played on,” said Younger following the game. “I have never played on a team that runs so unconventionally but, right now, I am ecstatic because this is the way we planned it.”
Younger, who received the defensive game ball from his teammates, had one of his better games of the year since converting from corner to linebacker. The six-year Argo was physical, hustled to the ball and was able to set up what would eventually be the game-winning field goal with his interception and ensuing 50-yard return.
The Argos will get back to work on Wednesday before flying to Montreal on Saturday for their final preparations for the 2010 Eastern Final.