ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
With two weeks remaining in the regular season the Argos still have a chance to host the East Semi-Final against Hamilton. Two Argos wins and two Ticats losses and the East Semi-Final will be at Rogers Centre. This is the only scenario (not taking into account ties) that will see the Boatmen travel down the QEW for their first road Semi-Final game in over a decade.
With hope of hosting a playoff game still alive, it creates a situation that raises two scenarios for a head coach. One, should the coach rest some of his starters and prepare for the long haul, letting the standings fall into place wherever they may? Or does he approach the game like any other and play to win?
Argos coach Jim Barker believes that his team has no choice but follow the latter and prepare like this was any other week.
“Football players need routine and the need to have that feeling that things are going to be the same,” said Barker. “As soon as you change [it throws things off]. If you break routine, some player is going to think, ‘why did he only do that or why didn’t they do this’? They are creatures of habit and I am just a big believer in routine.”
Routine is key for a team that is still in a learning period. Barker feels that this team must go out with the intention of playing their best game of the year to ensure that they continue to grow.
“Our offence isn’t at a point where it needs to be to win a Grey Cup. At this point, it’s about getting our team ready for a three game series to win a Grey Cup,” Barker said when asked about the possibility of giving certain players a lighter workload in the next two weeks. “We are not going to be idiotic about it but we are a team that is still trying to find itself.”
Barker’s team enters Friday night’s contest knowing that they have already beaten Montreal this season, something that bodes well for a club that is facing a powerhouse while still trying to make some noise heading into the playoffs themselves.
The Argonauts shocked the CFL the last time the Alouettes came to town, defeating the defending champs 37-22 in convincing fashion. At that point, the Argos were in first place in the East and boasting a 5-2 record. Things have changed since then though, with the Argos playing inconsistent football at times and Montreal improving steadily only to suffer a humbling lopsided loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Another comforting trend for the Argos is that they will dress the exact same lineup for the third consecutive week. The only question mark that remains is whether or not Argos sack leader DT Kevin Huntley will dress.
Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. at Rogers Centre on Friday night for Fan Appreciation Day. For tickets, please call 416-341-ARGO (2746) or CLICK HERE to purchase online.