Argos put their faith in the QB known as Mac … Ray to usher in home debut with mom in the stands … 1991 champs to be honoured
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The Argos are going again with Mac because the membership makes an attempt to win back-to-back video games for the primary time this season.
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McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who’s affectionately generally known as Mac, will probably be beneath centre as Toronto’s beginning quarterback for the fourth time.
There was some doubt on his availability after MBT harm his knee in the course of the Argos’ 30-27 win over visiting Montreal.
The Argos then entered a bye week on the CFL’s mid-season level with a 4-3 file.
Ottawa, Toronto’s opponent Wednesday night time at BMO, is coming off a win over Edmonton, the one group the Redblacks have been capable of defeat.
It’s a key stretch for the Argos as they appear to create some separation within the East.
Following Wednesday’s go to by the Redblacks, the Argos will probably be in Hamilton on Thanksgiving after which go to Montreal.
Virtually from the second the season started in Calgary, the Argos quarterback place has been in flux.
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Presumptive starter Nick Arbuckle harm his hamstring in coaching camp, which opened the door for MBT to take the reins.
He led them to a win over the Stamps, however then stumbled the subsequent week in a loss in Winnipeg.
The Argos then turned to Arbuckle, who received in his beginning debut, the primary of 4 begins.
Arbuckle has been responsible of turning the ball over or being sloppy with the soccer when working within the pocket.
“We’re going to go together with Mac,’’ stated head coach Ryan Dinwiddie throughout his Monday Zoom name. “He acquired cleared medically … We’ll roll with Mac.”
There may be some query on the backup spot.
The Argos will unveil their depth chart Tuesday.
By the sounds of it, Dinwiddie is leaning towards Antonio Pipkin, the one-time Als quarterback who made his debut in Double Blue in opposition to Montreal.
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Dinwiddie used Pipkin primarily in short-yardage packages.
The rookie head coach preferred what he noticed.
“If he’s going to decorate we wish to use him,’’ stated Dinwiddie of Pipkin. “We wish to use him briefly yardage packages, however we additionally wish to get him out on the movie and have him make throws, get some QB runs. He’ll get some snaps for certain.”
Throughout their four-win season in 2019, three of Toronto’s wins got here in opposition to Ottawa, together with two at house to finish the season.
This season, the Argos are 3-0 at house and have used Arbuckle and MBT as starters.
FINGER ON THE PULSE
Shane Ray waited for what appeared like eternally to lastly be again on the sector solely to get harm three performs into his CFL debut.
“We had a stunt and I got here by,’’ the push finish stated of his night time in Calgary in the course of the Argos’ season opener. “I used to be making a sort out for a loss. It was bizarre. I don’t even know the way it occurred. I broke my finger making the sort out.”
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He performed by it, however Ray admits the setback was robust to take care of given the lengthy highway he endured.
“Working so arduous, and ready so lengthy to play, and also you break your finger after which you need to sit for six video games,’’ added Ray. “I used to be undoubtedly not completely satisfied.”
Ray stated he fractured his ring finger, which prevented him from closing his fist.
He additionally hyper-extended his center and index fingers.
“The pores and skin really broke by my center finger and you may see my bone,’’ he stated. “They needed to sew me up proper after it occurred. I had one finger that wanted 4 stitches, one other finger that was damaged. I used to be like: ‘Dang! That’s soccer for you.’”
He’ll make his return Wednesday.
Will probably be Ray’s first sport at BMO Area and he’ll have his mother in attendance.
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“I’m actually excited,’’ he stated.
Ray’s season started with Glen Younger as his defensive co-ordinator.
Ray is now being coached up by Chris Jones.
“I like coach Jones,’’ stated Ray. “Proper when he acquired right here he demanded authority. He instructed us what we had been going to be doing and I actually take pleasure in his schemes.
“He’s put me in all places and I really like that…Coach Jones is unquestionably giving me alternatives to go on the market and make performs. As a defensive participant I can’t ask for something extra.”
Ray will probably be one in every of a number of modifications alongside the defensive position.
Cordarro Legislation and Drake Nevis are potentialities.
Dinwiddie admitted a minimum of one of many CFL veterans will lastly make their Argos debut.
MEMORIES OF ’91
The Argos will have fun the thirtieth anniversary of the group’s 1991 Gray Cup championship group Wednesday with as many as 25 gamers, GM Mike McCarthy and head coach Adam Rita anticipated to be readily available.
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Flying up from the U.S. will probably be Rodney Harding, Carl Brazley, David Williams and Kelvin Pruenster.
Pruenster attended West Humber Collegiate.
Pruenster and Brazley additionally received a Gray Cup with the Argos in 1983.
The 1991 Argos had been one of many best groups ever assembled, a dynamic group that went unbeaten at house by averaging 39.5 factors a sport.
It was a group filled with characters who had character.
Toronto performed host to the East last in opposition to Winnipeg and pasted the Blue Bombers 42-3 in entrance of fifty,380 followers at SkyDome.
The season started with a 35-18 win over the Tough Riders at Lansdowne Park, the primary of three wins by the Argos in opposition to Ottawa.
Three members of the 1991 Argos, Darrell Okay. Smith, Harold Hallman and extra just lately Chris Schultz have handed.
fzicarelli@postmedia.com