Toronto Argonauts: Storylines, keys to game vs. Stampeders in Week 1

Toronto Argonauts offensive line needs to step up for McLeod Bethel-Thompson

If there is a group that has a lot of pressure on them to perform it’s the offensive line. Look no further than the Grey Cup and season opener between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

In both of those games, the Blue Bombers made it a point to dominate the play in the trenches with their offensive line’s physical play and the defensive front keeping the pressure on Hamilton’s quarterback all night.

Toronto’s offensive line has many new faces and unfortunately, they are at the disadvantage of no pre-season games to shake off any rust they might have. Philip Blake will get the start at centre after he and rookie Peter Nicastro were taking reps at that spot in practice.

The player with the most pressure on him has to be Dejon Allen who has no experience playing in the CFL and is going to be in charge of protecting McLeod Bethel-Thompson’s blindside at left tackle. He does have experience at the position and only allowed one sack in his collegiate career at the University of Hawaii.

If this group can give Bethel-Thompson time to throw, he will have a strong group of receivers to throw to if they are given the time to get open. At the same time, Toronto has two capable running backs in AJ Ouellette and John White IV who can take some of the pressure off the offence by shortening the field and move the chains.

Calgary has a tough defence that thrives off of turnovers and getting pressure on the quarterback so the offensive line definitely has their work cut out for them.