The Argos are ready to roll against Calgary on Friday night, and here is the group that will try to get the W. A reminder that personnel and alignment can change throughout the course of a game.
The red-hot McLeod Bethel-Thompson is the starting quarterback. He’s passed for at least 337 yards in four of the last five games, surpassing the 400-yard mark twice in that span. He’s now leading all CFL quarterbacks with 19 TD passes, and is second in yards with 3,004. He’ll be backed up by James Franklin, Dakota Prukop and Michael O’Connor.
There’s a change at left tackle, as Randy Richards starts in place of Roubbens Joseph, who has been moved to the practice roster. The rest of the starters are intact from the Ottawa game, with Jamal Campbell as the other tackle, Tyler Holmes and Ryan Bomben at guard, and Sean McEwen at centre. First-overall draft pick Shane Richards is back in the lineup as a backup.
James Wilder Jr. is coming off a three-touchdowns performance in Ottawa and will start at running back. Chris Rainey will also dress. Both fullbacks will be in the line, as Declan Cross will be joined by Regis Cibasu.
S.J. Green is coming off an eight-catch, 130-yard game against Ottawa. He’ll be joined at receiver by fellow starters Derel Walker, Armanti Edwards, Rod Smith and Jimmy Ralph. Llevi Noel and Kurleigh Gittens Jr. are the reserves. Kimi Linnainmaa moves to the P.R.
Rookie Robbie Smith had a two-sack game against Ottawa, and will start at one end, with Freddie Bishop III on the other side. Kennan Gilchrist and Frank Beltre are the other ends. Cleyon Laing and Davon Coleman will start at tackle, with Linden Gaydosh and Jhaustin Thomas behind them.
Bear Woods returned to the lineup against the Redblacks and recorded nine tackles. He’ll start this week in the middle for the injured Justin Herdman-Reed. Ian Wild will be on the weak side, with Abdul Kanneh on the strong side. The backup LBs are Nakas Onyeka, Sean Harrington, Eric Striker, who replaces the injured Nelkas Kewmo, and Global player Christian Hernandez, in the lineup for Linnainmaa.
The secondary is the same, with Alden Darby Jr. at safety, Qudarius Ford and Trumaine Washington at halfback, and Robert Woodson and Jonathan Dowling on the corners. Jermaine Gabriel and Matt Boateng are the backups.
Tyler Crapigna is the placekicker, Ronnie Pfeffer is the punter and Jake Reinhart is the long-snapper.