 |
INDEPTH: 2005 CFL PREVIEW
Toronto Argonauts
CBC Sports Online | Last updated June 21, 2005
Can Damon Allen's aging body last one more
season? The Toronto Argonauts are betting on it.
(CP File Photo)
|
2004 RECORD: 10-7-1, second in the
East (defeated the B.C. Lions to win the Grey Cup)
ARRIVALS: DE Riall Johnson, QB Charlie Peterson, WR Brian
Nugent, DB Jason Horton, OL Brian Crawford
DEPARTURES: OL Sandy Annunziata, OT John Feugill
OFFENCE: Despite boasting a core of talented receivers and
rushers, the Argos' attack was mostly mediocre last season.
They may have won the Grey Cup, but they finished near the bottom
of the league in many offensive categories during the regular season,
including points scored and touchdowns.
In large part, the Argos' anemic offensive numbers can be blamed
on injuries.
Starting quarterback Damon Allen was sidelined for a large chunk
of the season with a broken leg. John Avery, the club's top off-season
acquisition, missed much of training camp with a knee injury. The
dynamic running back never really gelled with the rest of the offence.
The team's top receiver, Tony Miles, was also banged up.
Things should be different this season. Allen, Avery and Miles are
all healthy and feeling good. Avery is so confident that he's predicting
that he'll rush for 2,000 yards this season.
Allen will have the CFL's deepest and most talented group of receivers
at his disposal.
Miles, Robert Baker and R. Jay Soward are all capable of big plays
and making key catches. Andre Talbot is underrated and former National
Football League star Andre Rison says he's focused, committed and
ready to make a contribution.
Toronto's big, beefy offensive line isn't spectacular, but it is
solid. Jude St. John, Bernard Williams and Chad Folk should offer
decent protection for Allen and open holes for Avery.
Toronto will miss Sandy Annunziata, who was
dealt to the Edmonton Eskimos for future considerations. Mike Michelic
is expected to replace Annunziata on Toronto's front five.
DEFENCE: Toronto employed a "bend-but-don't-break" team
defence last season. Designed to stymie the Alouettes' big-play
offence, the strategy is: don't worry about giving up yards; focus
on stopping touchdowns.
The plan worked. The Argos finished near the bottom in yards allowed,
but were the best in the game at preventing touchdowns, limiting
opponents to 36 in 17 games. It helped Toronto defeat Montreal in
the CFL East final.
Toronto's tight-knit defence is anchored in the middle by a trio
of Canadians: lineman Noah Cantor of Ottawa and linebackers Kevin
Eiben of Delta B.C. and Mike O'Shea of North Bay, Ont.
Cantor led the club with 10 quarterback sacks last year. In four
years with the team, Eiben has grown from a spare part into an all-star,
leading the league with 110 tackles last season. The savvy and aggressive
O'Shea is the epitome of a hard-nosed football player.
The Argos' secondary was also strong, allowing the fewest passing
touchdowns in the CFL and snaring 22 interceptions. Orlando Steinauer
and Clifford Ivory had four interceptions each. Both players were
named CFL all-stars for their efforts.
Pass rusher Riall Johnson, who spent a handful of seasons in the
NFL, has impressed Argo coaches during training camp. He could make
the team as a backup for Eric England and Jonathon Brown.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Noel Prefontaine may have the best
all-round boot in the game. He is considered by most pundits to
be the CFL's premier punter and is among the elite at kicking field
goals. The Argos' return game is in the capable hands of Arland
Bruce III and Bashir Levingston.
COACHING: Head coach Mike (Pinball) Clemons is one of the
CFL's most endearing characters. Clemons's motivational skills are
almost unparalleled – his players would go through walls for
him. Defensive coordinator Rich Stubler is a renowned strategist.
Toronto's players have bought into his team concept whole-hog.
GAME BREAKER: DAMON ALLEN
If the Argos are to repeat as Grey Cup
champions, Allen must stay healthly. But at 42 years old, the fear
is it's becoming less and less likely that will happen. The Argos
offence sputtered without Allen at the helm last season. Michael
Bishop doesn't seem to be growing into the role of Argos' quarterback
of the future.
EXPERT OPINION: "They're almost a boring team. They're so
strong defensively and can make other teams look pathetic but it's
painful, at times, to watch them offensively," CFL on CBC
analyst Darren Flutie said.
"They may struggle at running back with John Avery but [quarterback]
Damon [Allen] can still do things to win – scramble for a first
down and he doesn't throw many interceptions.
"They will lose six to eight games because they won't score a lot
of points, but will make the playoffs. They're definitely the favourite
in the East and favourite to [successfully defend] the Grey Cup."
|
|
