Ricky Williams runs the ball under pressure from Hamilton Tiger-Cats JoJuan Armour (right) and Tim Cheatwood (left) during CFL action this season. The former NFL rushing champ is healthy and ready to carry the Argos into the playoffs. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
Toronto Argonauts
Last Updated Tues, 31 Oct 2006 15:25:16 EDT
CBC Sports
The Toronto Argonauts began their season grabbing the majority of the CFL headlines with the signing of suspended NFL running back Ricky Williams. Many suggested the Miami Dolphins tailback, banished for one year for violating the league's substance abuse policy, could surpass the 2,000-yard rushing barrier. Williams got off to a good start, rushing for 97 yards as the Argonauts defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 27-17 in their season opener.
Yet despite his anticipated arrival, the Argos struggled to a 2-5 start and lost the services of their high-profile running back for seven weeks after Williams fractured his left forearm in Regina on July 22. Even with this setback, Toronto won eight of its next nine games.
The winning streak was highlighted on Sept. 4 during the Argos' 40-6 thumping of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. It was on that night quarterback Damon Allen surpassed Hall of Famer Warren Moon as the most prolific passer in professional football history with 70,566 yards.
While the Argos struggled offensively this season — ranking seventh in points scored (355) — the defence more than picked up the slack. Toronto allowed the fewest points in the league (343) and finished second only to the B.C. Lions with 30 interceptions.
The team also overcame late season injuries by winning three of its last five games and return a relatively healthy backfield of Williams and John Avery for the post-season.
The Argonauts, however, let a glorious opportunity slip away during the final game of the season against the Alouettes. With the East title on the line and a nine-point fourth-quarter lead, Toronto faltered, allowing the Alouettes to score 14 unanswered points and walk away with a 24-20 win and home field advantage in the playoffs.
| Name | Position | Uniform # |
|---|---|---|
| Noel Prefontaine | K | 1 |
| Michael Fletcher | LB | 2 |
| Kahlil Carter | DB | 3 |
| Andre Talbot | WR | 4 |
| Arland Bruce III | WR | 5 |
| Keith Stokes | WR | 6 |
| Eric Crouch | QB | 7 |
| Chris Hardy | DB | 8 |
| Damon Allen | QB | 9 |
| Antonious Bonner | LB | 10 |
| John Williams | RB | 11 |
| Clifford Ivory | DB | 13 |
| Tony Miles | WR | 15 |
| Michael Bishop | QB | 17 |
| R. Jay Soward | WR | 18 |
| Spergon Wynn | QB | 19 |
| John Avery | RB | 20 |
| Orlondo Steinauer | S | 21 |
| Bashir Levingston | CB | 23 |
| Jermaine Mays | CB | 24 |
| Leron Mitchell | CB | 25 |
| Jordan Younger | CB | 26 |
| Ricky Williams | RB | 27 |
| Byron Parker | DB | 28 |
| Kenny Wheaton | DB | 30 |
| Charles Winters | DB | 32 |
| Jeff Johnson | RB | 33 |
| Kevin Eiben | LB | 35 |
| Dave Donaldson | DB | 37 |
| David Hewson | LB | 39 |
| Bryan Crawford | RB | 40 |
| Randy Srochenski | LB | 45 |
| Mike O'Shea | LB | 50 |
| Jeff Kelly | LB | 51 |
| Raymond Fontaine | LB | 52 |
| Chad Folk | C | 56 |
| Jeff Yorga | G | 58 |
| Jon Landon | G | 62 |
| Jerome Davis | T | 65 |
| Jude St. John | G | 66 |
| Clifton Washburn | OL | 67 |
| Dave Costa | T | 68 |
| Bernard Williams | T | 69 |
| Michael Palmer | WR | 77 |
| Jeff Keeping | DT | 78 |
| Shockmain Davis | WR | 84 |
| Chad Rempel | WR | 85 |
| David Azzi | WR | 86 |
| Noah Cantor | DT | 92 |
| Matt Kudu | DT | 93 |
| Eric England | DE | 95 |
| Jonathan Brown | DE | 97 |
| Riall Johnson | DE | 98 |