Toronto Argonauts: Up to players to decide how rest of season unfolds
With their playoff chances fading, the Toronto Argonauts will look to see how players deal with the adversity from their tough stretch.
The Toronto Argonauts season has been challenging for many reasons and there appears to be some similarities to 2018.
Like last year, the team is at the point of their season where the way the players act both on and off the field can say a lot about their future in Toronto. There are some looking to establish themselves heading into next season while others are looking to leave a good impression ahead of the trade deadline and free agency.
More from Tip of the Tower
- Cam Phillips making his mark on Toronto Argonauts offence
- Toronto Argonauts: 4 storylines ahead of matchup against Redblacks
- Federico Bernardeschi ready for new challenge with Toronto FC
- Toronto Argonauts overcome Roughriders in entertaining Touchdown Atlantic
- Buffalo Bills: Von Miller drawing inspiration from Bruce Smith
While they are not mathematically eliminated, being 10 points behind Montreal and Edmonton with five games left says all you need to know. Regardless, head coach Corey Chamblin is hoping that the players remain focused and determined on winning.
"“How they approach these last couple of weeks, that’s up to us as individuals,” said Chamblin on what the message was to the players this week. “You’ll find out a lot about individuals in this situation.”"
Considering how things got away from them in the second half against Saskatchewan, you cannot point to just one area as the root cause for how this season has gone off the rails. Sure, there were some close games where the Argos could have easily won and been in a better position but that’s not the reality the team lives in.
A 2-11 record would say that there should be some serious changes considered but it’s tough to gauge how much turnover there should be. James Franklin, McLeod Bethel-Thompson and Zach Collaros are free agents and it’s tough to say whether any of them have a desire to be here beyond this season.
It’s been tough to get a read on the team’s defensive play given the injuries they’ve had and how many times the offence has left them out to dry.
From Saturday’s game against the Lions to the end of the season in Hamilton, you wonder how many players will try to lead by example and which ones will let frustrations affect their performance.
That’s something Chambin and president Bill Manning will be watching for since it was a factor in Marc Trestman’s dismissal after the final game. Of course, the CFL’s cap on coaching will impact those decisions too.
Next. James Wilder Jr. getting CFL involved in cancer charity. dark
What do you think the Argos chances are like against the Lions? What do you want to see from them for the rest of the year? Let us know in the comments below.