Game Day: Scouting the Argos

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/10/2010 (5791 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

2010 RECORD: 7-8, third in the East

ON THE ROAD: 3-4

VS. THE EAST: 3-4

2010 OFFENSIVE RANKINGS: Overall scoring: 8th (19 points per game); passing: 8th (217 yards per game); rushing: 3rd (126.6 yards per game).

2010 DEFENSIVE RANKINGS: Overall scoring: 4th (26.2 points per game); passing: 8th (290 yards per game); rushing: 5th (113 yards per game).

TURNOVER RATIO: -15 (7th overall)

THE QB

No. 1 Cleo Lemon: Has anyone taken more criticism than the former NFL backup? In his first CFL season, Lemon is 7-7 as a starter, throwing for 2,977 yards (a 62 per cent completion rate), with 11 touchdown passes and 17 interceptions. He’s had his fair share of fumbles, sure, but he’s rushed 34 times for 234 yards and two majors. Has he struggled at times? Yes, but he has the Argos on the cusp of a post-season spot, and that’s all that really matters.

Quick take: The strange thing about Lemon is that he’s a different quarterback in the CFL. Down south, he was known as a run first, throw second pivot — a guy who could make some hay with his legs. In Toronto, he’s been more of a pocket passer, almost choosing not to scramble when the opportunities present themselves. The book on Lemon is an easy read: Pressure him into mistakes and hurried throws. He likes to force things when the heat is on.

OFFENSIVE WEAPONRY

No. 80 Jermaine Copeland, SB: Only has 40 catches and 545 yards, but that’s good enough to be the Argos’ best receiving option. Part of Copeland’s value comes in leadership; Toronto is 7-5 with him in the lineup.

No. 3 Cory Boyd, RB: No getting around it — even if his bum ankle won’t let him — as Boyd goes, so go the Argos. He’s a bit banged up, but the CFL rushing leader should be on the field Saturday.

DEFENSIVE STOPPERS

No. 9 Ricky Foley, DE: He’s had a slow start, but Foley has settled into the starting lineup. Toronto’s defensive line is one of the best in the CFL.

No. 35 Kevin Eiben, LB: Has a team-leading 88 tackles and is seemingly always around the ball. He’s having an all-star season and is one of the top Canadian players in the game.

THE SPECIALISTS

No. 2 Chad Owens, KR: The best returner in the CFL — hands down. He’s close to putting up 1,000 yards on both kickoff returns and punt returns, which makes him one of the most electrifying players in the league

No. 7 Noel Prefontaine, K: The veteran returned to Toronto last week after starting the season in Edmonton. He’s 23 of 28 from field-goal range. Still has a big leg. Kicked a 57-yard FG earlier this year.

— Adam Wazny