Argonauts.ca staff
TORONTO – The Argos put their current three-game winning streak on the line in week 10, as they’ll take on the Eskimos on the road in Edmonton. From the league’s best defence to an Argonaut returning home, here are five storylines to watch for Friday night.
Laing Heads Home:
Friday’s game will see DL Cleyon Laing head to his home city of Edmonton, where he’ll have the opportunity to play in front of a large contingent of friends and family. Unfortunately for Laing, he seems to have a knack for getting under the skin of his home city’s residents, as he’s had multiple unintentional run-ins with Eskimos QB Mike Reilly throughout his three-year career. In week one in Fort McMurray, Laing was pushed into Reilly by an Eskimos’ lineman, which has sideline Reilly for the majority of the season. For his part, Laing says he’s not thinking about the reception he’ll get from the Green and Gold faithful. Still, it wouldn’t be a surprise to hear some boos if Laing hears his name called on Friday, which based on his strong play this season, is highly likely. Laing currently is tied for the team lead in quarterback sacks (4) with Canadian DE Ricky Foley.
Whitaker’s Success:
When Brandon Whitaker was brought in by Argos’ management prior to week one, Toronto fans knew they were getting a player with the potential to make a significant contribution to the team’s offence. What was slightly surprising was just how quickly Whitaker fit in with the Argos, tallying 159 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in his Double Blue debut in Fort McMurray against the Eskimos week one. Whitaker has been quieter of late, as the Argonauts have use the veteran running back in pass protection which has assisted with their dominant pass attack. Perhaps a return to Alberta against a team he thoroughly dominated earlier this season will be just the spark Whitaker needs to return to his early-season form.
7-2 Start:
Entering the season, few around the CFL gave the Argos a chance to be even .500 at this point in the season. After an early end to the 2014 season and a gruelling road stand to start the year, it appeared that Toronto was in tough in 2015. The Argonauts responded by starting the season 6-2 with a 3-2 record on the road, sitting in a tie for first place in the East Division with the rival Hamilton Tiger-Cats after nine weeks. With a win in Edmonton this weekend, the Argos would move to 7-2 for the first time since the 1997 season, which saw Toronto finish 15-3 and win the club’s 14th Grey Cup Championship. Though a Grey Cup is anything but guaranteed at this point, a 7-2 record would go a long way towards securing a playoff berth for the Argos in a highly competitive East Division this season.
Harris’ Dominance:
Another factor which went into some underestimating the 2015 Argonauts was the absence of starter Ricky Ray. While Trevor Harris looked solid in week 19 of the 2014 season, some doubted he could replace the perennial All-Star at the helm of the Argos offence. Nine weeks into the season, Harris has silenced any doubters, leading Toronto to a 6-2 record while leading the CFL in completion percentage (74.1%), touchdown passes (19), quarterback rating (115.7) and ranking second in passing yards (2,253). Extrapolated to a full season, those numbers translate into one of the greatest seasons ever by a CFL quarterback. Harris has fully proven his moxie as a CFL starting quarterback this season, and now returns to face the team where his success began in 2015.
Stingy Eskimos D:
Looking to stop Harris and the Argonauts is the league’s best statistically ranked defence in Edmonton. Since the Argonauts defeated the Eskimos 26 – 11 in week one, the Eskimos have largely shut down their opponents, holding the opposition to fewer than 20 points in five of seven games, including a two game stretch which saw them concede a combined eight points. The Eskimos have also been excellent at suppressing the pass in 2015, holding opposing QBs to a paltry eight touchdown passes. Harris and the Argos offence lead the CFL in that category, scoring 20 touchdowns through the air in eight games, meaning that something has to give this week. The matchup between Harris and the Edmonton pass defence will likely be the largest determining factor of who heads home with a win after week 10.