Plenty of new faces in Toronto

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This article was published 02/07/2021 (1535 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Toronto Argonauts brain trust clearly believed the team needed a completely new direction in 2021. When comparing this year’s roster to that of 2019, you could argue there’s more turnover than a night at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

The Argonauts are almost unrecognizable from the club that took the field two years ago. And that’s a good thing. Toronto was atrocious, posting a dismal 4-14 record – second-worst in the CFL, behind only Ottawa (3-15).

They have a new, rookie head coach in Ryan Dinwiddie and a new quarterback in Nick Arbuckle, who is readying for his first real shot at becoming a bonafide No. 1 after years in Calgary. Sprinkled around them, though, are a number of experienced players, many of whom have been standout performers in the past, making for what is sure be a more competitive team in 2021.

Here is an early season preview of the Argonauts, in what is the fourth instalment of a Free Press series Around the CFL.

Three training camp stories.

Two starers, one spot: Barring injury, Nick Arbuckle will begin the season as the Argonauts No. 1 quarterback. With Dinwiddie having worked with Arbuckle in Calgary for years, and Toronto acquiring receivers Eric Rogers and Juwan Brescacin, both of whom were also with the Stampeders, it’s obvious they’re doing everything they can to make Arbuckle’s transition a success.

But there’s a reason the Argonauts went out and re-signed McLeod Bethel-Thompson. Bethel-Thompson started 13 games for Toronto in 2019, leading the CFL in touchdown passes, with 26. At 32, he doesn’t want to be a backup plan, making for what should be one of the more spirited battles to play out.

LB battle: When the Argonauts signed the CFL’s two most outstanding Canadian candidates in 2019, East nominee – and eventual league winner – Henoc Muamba and Cameron Judge, who earned the nod in the West, they solidified their middle and weakside linebackers, respectfully. Chris Edwards, who signed with Toronto after spending a year with B.C. and two with Edmonton, is the front-runner to take the strongside linebacker position, which is ultimately a key part of the secondary.

Because Muamba and Judge are Canadian, if the Argonauts want to maintain the required ratio of seven Canadian starters, they’ll need Canadian depth behind each of them. Or, because Toronto is so deep in Canadian content, with talk brewing they could start eight homegrown players, that would give them more options on how they employ their linebacker group.

For instance, if the Argonauts do start eight Canadians, then they could roll in and out different bodies at the weakside or middle linebacker spots and still be compliant with the ratio. By keeping either Muamba or Judge on the field, they could then allow for one of Bear Woods, Dexter McCoil or Jordan Moore to rotate in, making for what should be some interesting play calls in training camp.

Catch and run: Toronto had Chris Rainey in 2019 to return balls, with the veteran special teamer bringing back 121 kicks and punts to the tune of 1,792 yards and one touchdown. But Rainey is gone, back to B.C., where he started his career.

Terrell Sinkfield appears to be the front-runner, returning to Toronto after stints with Hamilton and B.C., as well as time in the NFL. There are other options, though, including receiver Chandler Worthy and Edwards. It’s one of the few spots the Argonauts have up for grabs.

Three players to watch

1) DE Charleston Hughes – he’s led the CFL in quarterback sacks three times over his 13-year career, including in 2019, when he racked up 16 for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, while also adding four forced fumbles and a touchdown. But at 37, and with nearly two years away from the game, just how much does the ageless wonder have in the tank?

2) RB John White – he’s coming off a 1,000-yard season on the ground for the first time in his six-year CFL career, racking up 1,004 yards and seven touchdowns. Toronto was one of the worst running teams in 2019, behind only Calgary. If the Argonauts can establish a run game with White, it should provide some added room for some of those new wide receiver pickups.

3) DL Cordarro Law – he’s a massive pickup on what will be an experienced defensive line. Law had 10 sacks playing on the interior of the line for Calgary in 2019, and with Drake Nevis also playing on the inside, it should open up some lanes for the likes of Hughes and Odell Willis playing off the edge.

X-Factor: Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie

With all the new faces, many of them established players, it will be up to rookie head coach Dinwiddie to make his presence felt early. There will be a lot of egos to contend with and it will take strong leadership to make sure they’re all pulling in the same direction. General manager Michael “Pinball” Clemons has said he’ll be patient with his young coach, but with a shortened season and no exhibition games, how quickly Dinwiddie can get everyone on the same page will determine just how successful the busy offseason really was.

Final word

“I just want to play fast and physical, especially on offence and special teams. But offence, too, we can’t wait for the other team — we’ve got to throw the first punch. We have to expect to win but we’ve got to work to win.”

— Argonauts head coach Ryan Dinwiddie

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

twitter: @jeffkhamilton