ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
Montreal – If anyone had told Argos fans at the beginning of the season that their rookie quarterback would be 10-8 as a starter and their team would be challenging for the East Division crown in November, it’s likely that fans would have scoffed in disbelief. Here we are, it’s late November and Cleo Lemon is a sturdy 10-8 as a starter and the Boatmen are getting ready to take on the defending Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes in the 2010 Eastern Final.
» Video: Pre-Game Comments
» Video: Keys To The Game
» Alter: Argos Showing Confidence
» Boyd Vows To Protect His QB
» Video: Focus Turns To Alouettes
» Parker Playing With Purpose
» Als Eye Argos, Not Awards
» Lemon Poised On Final Drive
» Video: Parker Sends Argos To EF
» A Long Time Coming
» Argos Sailing On To Montreal
» Video: Argos Force 5 Turnovers
» Audio Highlights
» Wallpapers (3)
» Cauz’s MMQB: Eastern Semi-Final
Coach Barker’s team has now won four road games in a row, including the final game of the regular season at McGill Stadium in Montreal, and even beat the Alouettes twice this season to clinch the season series.
The test on Sunday will be finding an answer for some key members of Montreal’s defence, including the club’s outstanding defensive player Chip Cox and all-star lineman John Bowman. Much has been written about the Alouettes’ offence, which has had some success against a tough Argonauts defence this season, but the true battle could be on special teams.
The Argos boast the best return man in the East in KR/WR Chad Owens. Owens has been spectacular against his former team in 2010, totalling 665 kick return yards in three games. The Argos will also get back their special teams captain Bryan Crawford, who missed the last two games with an adductor injury, and SB/RB Ryan Christian will return to the roster from the 9-game injured list (hand). Christian returned a kickoff 110 yards (club record) earlier in the season against Montreal and he’s also one of Coach O’Shea’s top special teams blockers.
Montreal cut 2009 CFL Most Outstanding Special Teams player, Larry Taylor, this week and has elected to ride rookie Tim Maypray into the Final. Maypray scored a return touchdown against the Argos in pre-season but did little against the Boatmen in the regular season.
In other roster notes, RB Jeff Johnson has been added to the injured list with a hamstring injury and will not play on Sunday.
Fans not at the game can watch on TSN/TSNHD, or listen on 1150 CKOC, FAN590.com or SIRIUS satellite radio. Kickoff is at 1:15p.m. at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.