ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
MISSISSAUGA – The Toronto Argonauts aren’t making any excuses about their recent play as they try to snap a four game losing streak when they take on the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday.
Much has been made about the Argos’ recent slide. Some critics have looked at injury woes while others question calls made by officials, but the Boatmen recognize that it is their play that dictates whether or not they can get back into the win column.
“We never make excuses,” Argos’ QB Cleo Lemon said on the eve of the contest. “We have lost games and that’s the end result. How we lose them really doesn’t matter. If we can start this week with a win then that will help us get some momentum.”
Lemon is making his return behind centre after handing over the starting duties to Dalton Bell. Lemon was nursing an injury that forced him to make more than a few visits to the dentist office last week and kept him out of action. Even though the injury only kept him out one game, the second-year CFL pivot is itching to get back on the field.
“I’m excited. It’s fun to play in big games like these against a team like Montreal.”
Perhaps his excitement stems from a 2010 campaign where Lemon experienced some of his better performances against an Alouettes team that was once again a powerhouse in the CFL East. In four games against the Als, Lemon completed 56% of his passes and helped the Argos put 107 points on the board en route to their first regular season series win over Montreal since 2007 (via point differential).
However, Lemon says that the team on the other side is of little significance when it comes to preparing for the game. He instead stated that he and his offence need to worry about their own assignments before they start keying in on certain attributes of their opponents.
“I don’t look at numbers like that, I am a results guy. I am all about getting the win,” said Lemon. “We don’t worry about the team we are facing, we just focus on ourselves. If we are mentally prepared and healthy and ready to go, we are a tough team to beat.
Heading into Thursday’s contest Argos’ General Manager & Head Coach Jim Barker says he was pleased with what he saw with Lemon this week but is quick to note that his pivot needs to manage the game better if the Double Blue want to knock off the two-time defending champs.
“He practiced very well this week and he knows exactly what he wants to do with the ball. That is key for him – getting the ball out on time and making good decisions in the running game. His fumbles this year have come on poor decisions in the running game,” Barker concluded.
“Cleo is understanding that it is his time right now and we are going to see in these next few games whether [the first quarter of the Argos’ home game against Winnipeg on July 23] is how Cleo Lemon is going to be as a quarterback. [Is he] good enough to win a Grey Cup or if he is going to be inconsistent? Time will tell and I wish I could answer that but I can’t.”
What might help Lemon’s cause may come on the other side of the ball if the Argos’ defensive front continues to play well.
Led by Claude Wroten, the front four have put together consistently strong efforts in recent weeks. They were highlighted by a first half against Edmonton where they dominated an Eskimos’ offensive line that couldn’t seem to give Ricky Ray enough time to get the ball down field.
Partner that with the fact that the Alouettes’ offensive line, that has experienced some bumps and bruises as of late, were thoroughly controlled by a Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ front seven that was constantly in the backfield in week 5. The Argos might be able to win that portion of the battle in the trenches.
“I’m happy with our front four – they are playing the way I expect them to play,” Barker said on Wednesday. “That is where we have tried to build this defence. I just believe in that. But with Anthony [Calvillo] you have to give him varied looks as you can’t just sit there in a four-man front, no matter how good they are. You have to mix it up by giving him some three, some five or six man pressure. You just have to mix up the looks with A.C.”
The Argos will make two adjustments to their lineup as recently re-acquired linebacker Durell Mapp will be placed on the active roster in exchange for LB Anthony Cannon who moves to the injured list. The other move comes at receiver where 2011 CFL draft pick Djems Kouame returns to the 46-man roster in place of WR Sammy Tranks who has been moved back to the practice roster.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday and tickets can be purchased by calling 416-341-ARGO (2746) or by clicking here.