Argos face litmus test against Blue Bombers
Double Blue versus Big Blue, the Argos will oppose an entirely different beast Friday night when they visit the Peg.
In many ways, the Argos were fortunate to escape Mcmahon Stadium last week with a 23-20 win over the host Stamps.
When a visiting team gets a punt blocked, almost has a field goal blocked, is unable to get off the field defensively and is limited to four minutes in time of possession in a quarter, it speaks to the Argos’ resiliency and ability to make end-of-game plays that it emerged victorious amid so many areas of sloppiness.
It won’t cut it in Winnipeg, where the formula for success is as obvious as Willie Jefferson’s towering presence coming off the edge or dropping into coverage.
There’s no more physical team in the CFL than the Blue Bombers, who hang their hat, to borrow a phrase from the pigskin playbook, on dominating the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
The trenches must be won by the Argos.
Winnipeg’s IG Field is among the most electric in three-down football, home to one of the most rabid fan bases in the league.
It’s a market that cares for the game and for the league.
Fans are not afraid to voice their displeasure at the home side and nor are they shy in venting their animosity toward the opponent.
During the Argos’ week of practice, the team piped in noise at Lamport Stadium.
The Argos will be forced to use a silent count.
In football, there’s no better way to silence a crowd than by attacking early.
“We have to control the line for us to have a chance to win,” said rookie head coach Ryan Dinwiddie.
Dinwiddie was the first to admit the Argos abandoned the run game in Calgary.
The run game is what separates the Blue Bombers from virtually every other team in the CFL.
The Argos aren’t going to feature the run like Winnipeg, but they must be more balanced, which will slow down the Bombers’ pass rush.
Running the ball effectively, or at least being able to establish a ground game that keeps the Argos from obvious passing situations on second down, quick passes and getting receivers in space are some of the keys Toronto’s offence must execute.
When watching Winnipeg’s Week 1 win over Hamilton, Dinwiddie was struck at how eerily similar the game played out when the two teams last met in the 2019 Grey Cup. “It was almost a replay,’’ said Dinwiddie.
Once the Blue Bombers settled in after allowing the Ticats to drive the field on an opening-game touchdown series, Winnipeg dominated the line of scrimmage.
When teams control line play and win the turnover battle, teams win.
The Argos are fully aware of what is required, but whether they can produce it is the big unknown.
Winnipeg presents a big test for the Argos, akin to a litmus test for a team capable of summoning the kind of effort and execution needed when venturing into a hostile environment against a quality foe.
The Argos are also coming off a short week when they were limited to only two full practice days.
Winnipeg will be home for the second-straight week.
It would shock many if the Argos can topple the Bombers.
For that to happen, the Argos need to stop the run and keep Zach Collaros contained in the pocket. Collaros is at his best when he’s outside the pocket and making plays on the run.
There’s nothing exotic to Winnipeg’s offence, a downhill running philosophy that relies on its offensive line to be physical.
There’s nothing complicated at the way the Bombers play defence, anchored by a very stout and athletic defensive line.
Adam Bighill is as good as it gets at linebacker and Winnipeg’s secondary has a knack for making plays.
The kicking game isn’t as good without veteran Justin Medlock, but under head coach Mike O’shea special teams has never been an issue with the Bombers.
Argos middle linebacker Henoc Muamba once played in the Peg.
Winnipeg’s identity of being physical has never changed. “We have to match their intensity,” said Muamba. “We have to match their physical game to give ourselves a chance.”
The Argos do have a chance, but chances are they will need to be far better than they were last week in all three phases.
What provides Muamba with hope is that he saw an Argos team, which is entirely new featuring new players such as Muamba, never gave up in Calgary in staging the comeback win. He saw a team whose character was revealed. “We know we have to bring our A game,” said Muamba of facing the Blue Bombers.
What the Argos brought last week was more of a B-minus type of game, a grade that won’t simply be enough against a team such as Winnipeg.