Sports

Despite their first-place status, Argos’ execution still in need of a major upgrade

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They’re in first place within the East heading into the week — with a date in Ottawa in opposition to the dreadful Redblacks on Saturday, however Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie is the primary to confess his group have to be higher.

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The Argos have discovered methods to win this season, and for that they have to be given credit score.

On the identical time, they’ve gained in ways in which sometimes defy logic — the latest in opposition to visiting B.C., final Saturday when the Argos clinched a playoff berth for the primary time since 2017 with an additional time victory.

Dinwiddie took duty for his mismanagement of the clock late within the recreation that, however for a missed subject purpose try by the Lions on the ultimate play of regulation time, would have value them the win.

Every week earlier in Montreal, the Argos didn’t throw a problem flag for a blatant offensive cross interference transfer in the long run zone that resulted in a landing catch by star receiver Eugene Lewis.

“No. 1, we’re in first place,’’ stated Dinwiddie throughout his Zoom name on Tuesday. “However we’re not pleased on the manner we’ve been taking part in. I used to be telling the fellows: We’ve gained ugly, we’ve misplaced ugly. You’re not going to remove from a win, however we all know we’ve acquired to be higher.”

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The main focus, accurately, is on the 2-10 Redblacks, who did play effectively after they got here to Toronto final month, main at halftime earlier than the Argos rallied to win.

However the Boatmen can’t look previous Ottawa, not with an essential residence recreation versus Hamilton set for Nov. 12.

Toronto sits first within the East with a 7-4 report, but it surely’s the one successful group within the CFL with a unfavourable level differential (-25).

When the Argos lose, they lose massive — their 4 defeats coming by a mixed 59 factors.
Take away Toronto’s 35-16 win over Ottawa and the group’s different six wins have been produced by 17 whole factors, together with two one-point victories over the Ticats.

A win is a win, however there’s no manner the Argos will prevail in a playoff recreation in the event that they don’t clear up their act.

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The late-game time blunder final Saturday was inexcusable. Dinwiddie stated the final time the Argos simulated a late-game sequence was again in coaching camp.

“I ought to have had it on my name sheet,’’ stated Dinwiddie, whose group had possession with 44 seconds left in opposition to the Lions.

Dinwiddie should study from his errors understanding no mistake will probably be tolerated within the playoffs.

On the damage entrance, Dinwiddie stated he’s hoping to have Shawn Oakman this week after Toronto’s greatest defensive lineman suffered a hip damage in opposition to B.C., whereas beginning rookie centre Peter Nicastro (knee) ought to be high-quality.

QB CAROUSEL

As soon as the mud finally settles, a number of groups throughout the league could have new quarterbacks.

In Toronto, the Argos have anointed McLeod Bethel-Thompson as their man, albeit for the quick time period.
Two years in the past on the CFL’s commerce deadline, they parted methods with Zach Collaros, dealing him to the Blue Bombers.

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It’s been a near-perfect match. With Collaros as their starter, the Bombers have misplaced just one recreation since, which got here in opposition to the Argos in Toronto’s 2021 residence opener.

The Argos’ starter that recreation was Nick Arbuckle, who was dealt to Edmonton final week.

Arbuckle and the Elks subsequently got here to phrases on a deal that can preserve the well-traveled QB beneath contract for subsequent season.

Due to that, the Argos will obtain Edmonton’s first choose within the second spherical of the 2022 CFL draft, which may find yourself being the tenth total choice.

For these conserving rating, two quarterbacks who have been with the Argos have now been traded for draft picks.

For Collaros, the Argos drafted offensive lineman Theren Churchill ninth total in 2020.

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Arbuckle was traded partly as a result of he turned the ball over too usually. As well as, the Argos didn’t need to pay two starters.

Since MBT’s breakout efficiency within the second half of Toronto’s comeback win over Hamilton on Thanksgiving Monday, he’s been intercepted 4 instances and misplaced a fumble in a drubbing by the hands of the host Als adopted by his fortuitous win over B.C. when he averaged solely 6.7 yards per completion.

TWO REPEAT

The Argos didn’t ‘elect’ to go for 2 after they scored a TD on their opening possession in additional time Saturday in opposition to the Lions.

In 2010, the league’s board of governors authorized a rule change that required groups to go for a two-point convert as an alternative of kicking for a single level in additional time.

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Toronto transformed, whereas the Leos failed following their main.

The Argos benefited from cross interference in the long run zone when Lions DB Marcus Sayles slipped on the moist floor.

The top zones at BMO Area characteristic synthetic turf.

“That’s a part of the deal,’’ stated Lions head coach Rick Campbell of taking part in in Toronto.

There wouldn’t have been additional time had B.C. been capable of kick that potential game-winning subject purpose in regulation.

In 2017, a yr the Argos gained a Gray Cup, visiting Winnipeg was poised to win a recreation.
Justin Medlock missed a subject purpose he usually makes in his sleep.

The Argos fielded the errant kick and booted it out of bounds to protect the win.
It might be the primary of a four-game win streak for the Argos.

BEDE IS TOPS

Boris Bede is effectively on his option to being named prime special-teams participant for the Argos.

The league acknowledged the veteran placekicker as considered one of its prime performers for the week after he accounted for 17 factors in Toronto’s 31-29 win over the Lions.

His 5 subject targets tied a profession excessive, together with two from 50 yards or extra to turn out to be the one kicker this season to handle that feat.

Bede has transformed on 20 of 25 subject purpose makes an attempt, whereas averaging 44.7 yards per punt and a league-leading 68.8 yards on kickoffs.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

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