Posts
For an amazing 3rd time in 5 weeks, the Riders will travel for a road game on a Thursday against a team coming off a bye. Apparently they should have just tried to cover up sexual assault as an organization… CFL seems to not punish teams that do that.
Look… we need a win. It’s been a month now. It definitely feels better than the losing streaks of the past 2 years because we have been competitive in every game but at some point being competitive is about as meaningful as an apology from Chad Kelly. We need some wins. Thursday is a winnable game and a chance for the Riders to get back on the right track. In a rare occurrence, fans from across the league will be Rider fans in this one, hoping purely that we sack and intercept Kelly innumerable times. Spite makes for strange bedfellows but we’ll take it.
I
didn’t realize until now all the Rider connections on that Argo staff.
Obviously there is Rider legend Ryan Dinwiddie who held a clipboard like no
other and personally helped deliver us the 2007 Grey Cup. Fellow Rider QB
legend Drew Tate is an offensive assistant. Grey Cup winning centre Dom Picard
is their RB coach. Former Rider Demetrious Maxie coaches the D-line and OL
coach Kris Sweet was here in 2012. Though with how small and incestuous the CFL
is I could probably find connections on pretty much any coaching staff.
On to the game…
The Argos have had a weird season. They have beaten both the Lions (with a healthy VA) and Alouettes. But lost to the Ti-Cats. Cameron Dukes was being touted as the next QB sensation until the Riders broke him in Week 5. Now they are welcoming back Chad Kelly fresh off being suspended for a whole bunch of bad stuff the Argos didn't unsuccessfully try to sweep under the rug. Will they get MOP Chad Kelly? Will they get East Final Kelly who made Ryan Dinwiddie look like a competent playoff QB by comparison? Or will they get temporary Chad Kelly because the second he gets on social media he’s apt to do something dumb enough to jeopardize his employment?
The Argos desperately need a spark on offense. They are 7th in points scored. Were they not propped up by the insane abilities of Janarion Grant their record would be much worse. They have the top rushing attack but are dead last in passing and have a league low 5 passing plays over 30 yards. That will happen when you find yourself in a scenario where you determine Nick Arbuckle is the best option you have. They have a couple major injuries on their OL and its been hurting them as they have allowed the most sacks so far. I expect Kelly to jump start that offense. But I also expect him to display some rust and no one is better qualified to take advantage of that than Corey Mace. D-line should feast in this one against a weaker OL. The issue will be keeping Kelly contained and not being too aggressive. Amari Henderson is “hurt” (apparently sucking is a medical condition) so thankfully the sure tackling Deontai Williams checks back in. We also get CJ Avery back. Like last time we faced the Argos, priority 1 is slow down that running game. If they are forced to become one dimensional I see turnovers (plural) coming.
I mentioned on Monday and I’ll repeat it again. Lost in the disappointment of the way we lost last week was how good Harris played in his return against the best D in the league. If he had any other kicker in the league, he would have hung 30 on them. Now he gets back Schaefer-Baker and Ajou squared (cost is Picton, which is a loss but a net gain overall). Toronto has the #1 rush D so things may be slow going for Hickson (though he should still see a heavy workload). But they are #7 against the pass and allow opposing QBs to complete 72.3% of their passes, second worse in the CFL. The caveat is that they are second only to the Riders in takeaways. They have a solid front 4 with Orimolade and Ceresna and guys like Amos in the secondary can make plays. Harris will need to be patient and methodical but that’s right up his alley. Toronto allows 24 offensive points per game. I like Harris’ chance of toping that.
Obviously lots to watch on special teams in this one. Janarion Grant has 4 TDs this season. Gotta keep him in check. Conversely the Argos have the second worst punt coverage and allow the 2nd most big returns. Mario Alford will be looking to prove he still belongs in the conversation of the best. Then there is our kicker. I get why Mace is sticking with him and its not like we bothered to bring in an alternative. Hopefully Lauther bounces back. But much like Kelly finishing the season without be re-suspended, I’m not sure I’d bet on it at this point.
Toronto plays well at home and the Riders are in a slump but that 0-3-1 record over the past month could easily be 3-1 based on how they have played. Look for them to finally finish a game and get back in the win column. In true Rider fashion they will find the most frustrating, complex, swear inducing method to do so…
Riders by 4th quarter passing
TD.
3 comments:
I wonder how the Argos run D has been in the gameswhere McManus is out. Helps our cause that he's not back this week.
McManis out is big but turns out run D was good without him. 83 and 79 yards allowed in those 2 games... now that was only against calgary so who knows if it holds against a different opponent - Prophet
I'm scared Kelly will light up that terrible Riders secondary. Hickson will need a big game. Harris was throwing short passes all night. As Dunnigan always says "you can't go wrong throwin long"
Post a Comment