Toronto Argonauts prepare for their first road game of the season
After a tough loss to the B.C. Lions in the second game of the season, the Toronto Argonauts look to get back on track in Ottawa on Saturday night.
Two games into the season and the Toronto Argonauts find themselves in a good spot heading into Saturday’s contest against the Ottawa Redblacks. Aside from the fourth quarter of the B.C. game, the Argos have shown that they are not the same team from last season. Now they look to make a statement against the reigning Grey Cup Champion who are winless through the first two games this season.
The defence has been the most noticeable differences from last season especially their ability to get to the quarterback. The addition of Victor Butler who the CFL with four sacks and Cleyon Laing perfectly compliment Shawn Lemon as the unit has combined for eight of the nine Argos sacks which lead the league.
“We are executing the gameplan, our coaches do a good job to put us in position to make plays” said Lemon about what has made the defence successful this season.
Under new defensive coordinator Corey Chamblin the Double Blue’s the defence also shares the league lead in interceptions and forced fumbles. The big challenge come Saturday will be limiting the third ranked offence in points, passing yards and a unit that leads the league in passing touchdowns.
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On the offensive side of the ball, the Argos rank fourth in points scored, and
second in passing yards (although B.C. has played three games this season). Leading the league in receiving yards is DeVier Posey with 218 yards, third is Armanti Edwards with 209 yards and in 10th is S.J. Green. The Argos are not short of offensive weapons but they only have two passing scores and one rushing touchdown to show for it.
“Week one we made a lot of plays, but in reality there were things we needed to do better. In Week 2, it showed up again, too many negative plays. And by that I mean a penalty here, a misread by me, we miss a block. We just had too many execution things we needed to clean up.,” said quarterback Ricky Ray. “Offensively as a whole we need to tighten up more and eliminate those plays where we are not moving forward.”
One thing that the Argos still need to work on is protecting Ray who has been sacked seven times this season. One addition that should help with that is lineman J’Michael Deane who missed most of training camp and the first two games with an injury. He makes his debut against this former team who he left to sign with the Argos this past offseason.
Along with Deane, Khalil Paden is starting in place of the injured Jeff Fuller. Head coach Marc Trestman is excited to see what Paden can bring on the field. “He has a lot of deep post qualities,’’ said Trestman to Frank Zicarelli of the Toronto Sun. “He’s a fluid receiver and a good route runner, a smart kid. We’re excited to have him available.”
“I felt really good with him (Paden) in training camp,’’ said Ray. “I felt pretty comfortable with how he was running routes. His body language and all that sort of stuff, I felt really good. Having him back there getting some reps, it felt no different.”
Next: Argonauts lose 28-15 to the B.C. Lions
The Argos went 1-1 against Ottawa last season winning on the road 23-20 and are 3-2 at TD Place since 2014.