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Game Previews November 1, 2011

Bell Rings In Argos Finale

ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF

MISSISSAUGA – It has been a pretty unusual season for Argos quarterback Dalton Bell.  

Coming into training camp, the third-year CFL’er was once again given an opportunity to compete for the starting role with incumbent Cleo Lemon.  He battled hard and lost. He started a game in relief of an injured Lemon where he moved the ball and made some impressive passes but then relieved Lemon only to throw consecutive interceptions. He watched as Steven Jyles took over the offence mid-season and, through it all, he gets another chance to prove himself when the Argos take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in their season finale.

His start this week may be due to circumstance, with Jyles ruled out of the game after taking a hit last week in Winnipeg, but it is a true showcase of how patience in football may not afford one with superstardom but can continue to give a player chances to prove that he is a capable option for a team to lean on.

“It’s the last week and we have nothing to lose, and we can go out there and play spoiler so I am looking forward to it,” Bell explained Wednesday.  “Being that this is the last game of the year, you want to go out there and play well so you can keep it fresh in the coaches’ minds heading into the off-season.  I just need to go out there and execute the offence and let our horse [Cory Boyd] take the ball.”

Bell has shown that he has been able to move the ball with success in the last two years when given the opportunity to get behind centre. Tossing interceptions, however, has been a part of his game that he recognizes he needs to work on.

“Just taking care of the ball,” he said when asked what the key to his success against the ‘Cats is.  “I have had some problems throwing picks this year, and I’ve got to take care of the ball and show that I can move the offence down the field with me in [the game].”

Bell will look to get the ball to WR Maurice Mann who will be making his home debut in Double Blue.  The former Ticat is playing in only his second game with the Argos, after missing two to injury, and his first against his old squad.

Mann understands the storyline that follows him playing against his old team and, although he appreciates that, it is not something that will consume him so much that he can’t put the team first.

“I look forward to every game but this is a special one, of course,” he said.  

When asked if it will be sweeter to get a win this Thursday Mann responded by saying,  “Yes, because we are five and 12 and six and 12 sounds better.  We have to leave on a winning note because if you don’t win the Grey Cup you are going to feel like us anyways.”

Video: Landry Sets Up Week 19

Argonauts.ca columnist Don Landry discusses the possible lineup shuffling the Argos may be forced to implement and the importance of ending the season with a win as he sets up the Boatmen’s final game of the year versus the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.  Click here to watch video.

Mann’s former team is set to begin the playoffs on the road next week, but that is about all they know.  Their opponent, starting quarterback and an overall team identity are all still up in the air.  The last three weeks have seen the Ticats use a two quarterback system – rotating Kevin Glenn and Quinton Porter in and out of the offence.  It is a rather unconventional tactic and somewhat of a throw-back to the Condredge Holloway/Joe Barnes days of the Argos of the early ‘80s, but Ticats Head Coach Marcelle Bellefeuille believes in the process and seems to be sticking to it.

Although comfortable in his philosophy, Bellefeuille cannot be pleased with the hot and cold trends dating back as far as three seasons.  With a win this week, the Tiger-Cats can finish with a 9-9 record, the same as last year’s finish.  A loss and the Tiger-Cats will finish the regular season with their worst mark since 2008.

If you ask the Hamilton sideline boss, this week is less about getting a convincing win and more about playing sound football and heading into the playoffs with a bit of momentum.

“We need to play a cleaner football game and we need to maintain a baseline that may not be playoff level, but it needs to be high enough that we don’t have very far to climb the next week,” Bellefeuille said.

Hamilton will not dress all of their starters but neither will their opponent.  A banged up Argos squad now submits an injured list that is 13 players deep with DT Kevin Huntley, WR Demario Ballard and DE Ben Ishola joining Jyles as the newest additions to the sidelines.

Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Rogers Centre on Fan Appreciation Night.  Featuring prizing and contests throughout the night, 42 lucky fans will receive game-worn jerseys from an Argos player on the roster immediately following the game right on the field.