ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO — Each week, argonauts.ca showcases one of the marquee matchups for fans to watch out for before the Argos’ next game. This week, we once again take a slightly different approach as we break down the teams by position.
| Montreal Quarterback |
Toronto Quarterback |
Not much more can be said about Anthony Calvillo. Regardless of what happens on Sunday, Calvillo is a first-ballot hall of famer and his 4,839 yards passing and 32 touchdowns further proves that, despite his age, the reigning MOP is showing no signs of slowing down.
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Last week was a statement game for Cleo Lemon. He didn’t light up the Tiger-Cats’ secondary but he did enough to win the game. The statement for Lemon came on his team’s final drive when he led a 51-yard drive to help put away Hamilton. |
Montreal Running Backs
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Toronto Running Backs
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His numbers may have dropped off but Avon Cobourne is more than just a running back – he is yet another weapon in an already loaded offensive arsenal.
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He was, once again, the ‘work horse’ in the Argos’ offence last week but was never better than when he came through in crunch time. Boyd pounded the ball through the middle of the Hamilton defence to help the Argos kill four minutes off of the clock at Ivor Wynne. |
| Montreal Receivers |
Toronto Receivers
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They are arguably the most talented receiving corps in the league and locking down one receiver simply doesn’t cut it. The Argos secondary will have to play their best game of the year to try and neutralize the damage that can be done by Ben Cahoon and company.
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A young group that got the boost they needed from their leader, Jeremaine Copeland, when it counted most with two huge receptions in the dying minutes. |
Montreal Offensive Line
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Toronto Offensive Line
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A group that has not lost a step after the sudden retirement of centre Bryan Chiu, the Als’ o-line loves getting off the ball and are one of the more experienced, well-coached groups in the CFL.
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The biggest threat heading into last week for the Argos’ offence was Hamilton DE Stevie Baggs. With the help of DE Ejiro Kuale, the Argos minimized Baggs’ impact to the tune of just one defensive tackle. |
Montreal Defensive Line
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Toronto Defensive Line
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John Bowman leads a crew of down linemen that not only love to get to the quarterback but do an excellent job at stopping the run – something that should be interesting considering Toronto’s potent rushing attack.
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Ricky Foley stood out last week from a front that saw six players play either rush end or defensive tackle at one point or another during the game. Rotating bodies in and out seemed to help the Boatmen sustain energy in what was a very chippy game in the trenches. |
| Montreal Linebackers |
Toronto Linebackers |
A speedy group that loves to fly around, the Alouettes’ linebacking corps is one of the CFL’s more physical groups that have no problem dropping deep into coverage.
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Jordan Younger set the tone for the Argos’ linebackers last week, laying out three Ticats receivers, finishing second on the team in defensive tackles and picking off a pass to set up a field goal in the fourth quarter. |
| Montreal Secondary |
Toronto Secondary |
The Als’ defensive backs play a high-risk, high-reward style of defence that is susceptible to the big play. However, under or over throw a receiver and they will make opposing offences pay.
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Toronto did a nice job shutting down the Ticats’ go-to threats last week, limiting Dave Stala to one reception and forcing Arland Bruce to get creative with his routes. |
Hamilton Special Teams
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Toronto Special Teams
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With the release of KR Larry Taylor, the return duties now lay solely with rookie Tim Maypray. Fans will remember that Maypray scored a kick return touchdown against the Argos in pre-season but did little against the club in regular season action. Damon Duval continues to be a reliable placekicker but has missed an uncharacteristic amount of three-pointers this season.
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Former Alouette and return dynamo, Chad Owens torched the Alouettes this year and a weather-controlled environment like Olympic Stadium should aid the speedster after many of the kicks to him last week (in Hamilton) sailed out of bounds. |
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