Argos’ spiral shows win is nowhere within sight

Improvements may not be enough with tough foes coming, writes Frank Zicarelli.

Losers of three in a row to begin a new season, the Toronto Argonauts are looking and playing like the same old team that ended 2018 by dropping nine of its final 10 games.

Sloppy, far too often lacking execution, devoid of offensive creativity and ingenuity, it reached the stages of laughable Saturday night when the Argos had a chance to pull off a win.

But then came an inexcusable kick out of bounds, the beginning of an end to a game that epitomized all that is wrong with this unit.

Virtually everything associated with the Argos must be and has to be re-evaluated because this kind of performance and lack of awareness has been allowed to fester for far too long.

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment has shown no signs it is or ever will be completely engaged in this franchise, providing only peripheral support when full attention is required.

It says a lot when one guy, Bill Manning, is asked to oversee two franchises, but everyone knows his mandate is to nurse the TFC soccer franchise to success.

One guy can’t be in charge of two franchises, which is probably why these sides of the MLSE empire are operating well below expectations.

At least fans continue to show up to TFC games.

Argos fans are growing more and more concerned and frustrated.

Saturday’s visit by B.C., which entered the night with an 0-3 record, provided the Argos with their best chance of getting a win.

Now there’s a real possibility this group may actually begin the season with an 0-8 record.

It’ll say a lot about MLSE’s intentions if nothing gets done to improve the current state of the Argos.

Even when they won the Grey Cup two years ago, at no point during the 2017 season did the team have a winning record.

The team posted a four-win season last year, prompting changes, but there’s an argument to be made the changes didn’t go deep enough because MLSE wasn’t willing to absorb the financial costs.

One has to go back to a third of the way into the 2016 season to find the last time the Argos had a winning record.

At the time, the team was 4-2. Since then, the Argos are 13-38. Much like the Raptors this spring, the Argos got lucky two years ago when they won their second title of the Ricky Ray era.

If ever the Argos’ lot could be summed up, it was during TSN’s live-mike game Saturday. With the game tied 17-17 and 40 seconds remaining, Drew Brown’s kickoff went out of bounds.

“What are we doing?’’ head coach Corey Chamblin could be heard. “Is this a joke? Really?” It got worse.

When Lions kicker Sergio Castillo’s attempt from 42 yards went left, Chris Rainey hauled it in — with one foot out of bounds.

The Lions earned the point and an 18-17 win to give rookie head coach DeVone Claybrooks his first victory.

Such a calamitous ending, such a comical way to lose.

And to think this sinking ship is about to take on even more water.

The Argos visit Winnipeg on Friday. The Blue Bombers happen to be the best team in the CFL.

Then comes a game in Calgary, where the Argos have lost five in a row.

The Eskimos play host to Toronto on July 25 before the Argos return to play two in a row at home.