Argo Nots & Top 3 NFL Picks

Though I have yet to write about the Argos I am still a big fan of the team. Let me correct that, let’s say that I still want to be a big fan of the team. Yesterday’s Labour Day Classic performance by the Argos was simply ugly.

While Pinball likely saved the franchise with his personality and spirit, he started the slide by his push to sign Kerry Joseph a few years back. At the time the team was growing with a developing quarterback in Michael Bishop. Pinball pushed Rita to sign Joseph off his Grey Cup win with Saskatchewan. This created a division within the team and Joseph has never been the quarterback that Pinball envisioned. The signing created a buzz at the time, but CFL watchers could see disaster all over this move.

The coaching side has also been on downward spiral. Stubler was a great defensive coordinator for the team, but he was a bust when he was promoted to head coach after Pinball’s retirement. Maybe he would have grown in his new position, but the team panicked quickly last year and fired him after only 10 games. What to do next? Do you go with an old retread CFL coach, or do you try the “new” way and hire an NFL type that is new to the league since that worked for Montreal. Well for some reason the Argos did both.

First, they hired Dan Matthews who was one of the best CFL coaches ever, but had burned out a few years ago. He no longer had the drive and his record was 0-8 to finish the season. Then they hired Bart Andrus with no CFL experience and he has the team off to a 2-7 record this year.

While I like Andrus’ no nonsense approach, he does not understand the CFL and he did not hire assistants with CFL experience. The team’s game plan is based on perfect execution and that makes no sense with a rookie QB and inexperienced receivers. In the last two games Pickett has had a great completion percentage, but there is no attempt to stretch the field and defenses find it all too easy to disrupt any drive. Without the threat of going deep, defenses can stuff the run on first down and then focus on short passes on second down. Even if you complete 2 out of 3 passes, your drives die.

Another example of mismanagement is that for the last game the Argos wasted an import spot by having two import kickers on the roster. This is even more ridiculous when they had Prefontaine on their roster and he was more than capable at both punting and kicking before they let him go to Edmonton. The team is a pure mess and likely needs both a new GM and coach.

Top 3 NFL Picks

Take Philadelphia minus 1 ½ at Carolina. I think the Eagles may implode a little once Vick is activated, but I like them coming out of the gate fast and Carolina will not have a strong year.

Take Minnesota minus 3 ½ at Cleveland. I love the Browns, but this could be a very sad year for them. The Vikes have the defense and way too much offense for Cleveland. Look for a blowout.

Take Houston minus 4 ½ at home against the Jets. The Texans are on the way up while the Jets try to break in a rookie QB on the road.