How the Toronto Argonauts went from CFL worst to the Grey Cup

The Toronto Argonauts are now one win away from winning a Grey Cup after finishing in last place the previous season but how did they get there?

After finishing the 2016 with a 5-13 record, there was a lot of uncertainty as the Toronto Argonauts went into the offseason. They decided to part ways with GM Jim Barker and not too long after, head coach Scott Milanovich would depart for the NFL.

This was at the end of January, a couple of weeks before the CFL free agency period was to open on Feb. 14. During that time, the team had a tough time recruiting players because of the uncertain direction of the team without a coach or GM.

Then on Feb 28 the Argos made an announcement that would change the entire landscape of the team, bringing in GM Jim Popp and head coach Marc Trestman. In that moment, Toronto was in business and the journey towards the Grey Cup would kick into high gear.

Once the new GM and head coach were put in place they began to lay down the foundation with a new coaching staff, featuring the return of offensive coordinator Marcus Brady and recruiting Corey Chamblin as the new defensive coordinator. The next step was to try and salvage the rest of free agency and find impact players to start the turn around.

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Trestman already put his vote of confidence in Ricky Ray to be the starting quarterback, despite the trade made by Barker to bring in Drew Willy from Winnipeg. Joining Shawn Lemon on defence were Cleyon Laing, Dylan Wynn and Victor Butler up front, along with Cassius Vaughn and Rico Murray.

Offensively there was not as much time spent there, but the Argos would make additions including one of the best bargain trades in the CFL. Popp would make a deal with his former team to bring in receiver SJ Green for a sixth round pick and a conditional pick in the 2018 draft.

That move is one of many that went under the radar for Popp. This is impressive, given he had a later start than every other GM in the league.

His biggest moves came late in training camp though, bringing back Marcus Ball after he spent some time in the NFL. Popp also  jumped at the chance to add Bear Woods, after he was released by the Montreal Alouettes, a move that came as a major surprise.

Despite all the moves made, it would not matter until the team got on the field. In the home opener the Toronto Argonauts made a big statement, beating the Hamilton Tiger Cats 32-15 with Ray throwing a career-high 506 yards.

The team had to go through many different injuries to their defence. However, the increased depth of talent and new system made by Chamblin kept the Argos in good shape.

Offensively it was still a work in progress, but having Ray at QB gave the team a chance in any game they were playing. Then the emergence of rookie James Wilder Jr. would give a new dimension to the Argos’ offence, one that became hard to play against.

The balanced attack with Green, Armanti Edwards, DeVier Posey and Wilder Jr. led by Ray along with a more talented defence gave the Argos a new identity, a team hungry to prove people wrong.

Despite the many questions about Ray’s health, he played 17 of 18 games this season. He reached the 60,000 career passing yards mark, almost having his best single season passing total and leading a memorable drive in the East Final to get the Argos to the Grey Cup. 

The Argos’ decision to trust the duo of Popp and Trestman has proven to be a wise decision. Despite it coming later than many would have wanted, it was enough time to put together a championship-worthy team.

It speaks to Trestman’s pedigree as a coach with his ability to come back to the CFL after a lengthy stint in the NFL and get the players to buy in to his plan every week, despite the many injuries that came their way.

Now, the Toronto Argonauts have one last task to accomplish, their toughest of the year, as they try to beat the Calgary Stampeders in Ottawa. That will not be easy, as the Stampeders have an equally talented roster and are looking to erase the memory of last year’s upset in the Grey Cup.

Next: Argos put on show for record crowd at BMO Field

What do you make of the Toronto Argosnauts’ turnaround this season? What are their chances of winning the Grey Cup? Let us know in the comments below.