Argos: The Hamilton zero hangs around necks of Double Blue

The Toronto Argos will try to snap an 0-7 skid in Hamilton when they visit the Ticats on Saturday.

That number is hanging heavily over the group, even though many of the Argos are new to the team this year and insist the record is really only 0-1. And the Argos would love to be able to quiet the Ticats fans, who simply love to rub it in.

“They hate us, and I love it,” Argos running back James Wilder Jr. said. “We go in there and they don’t like us and we don’t like them, it’s no secret. It’s great football and the fans are into it.”

The Argos’ seven losses include two when they were in Hamilton as the home team while work was being done at BMO Field.

VAN ZEYL OUT: It’s official now: right tackle Chris Van Zeyl will not play Saturday in Hamilton. The popular offensive lineman remains in a foot cast, and is not likely to have that removed until the weekend, or early next week.

The Argos are expected to slide Brandon Washington in to take over Van Zeyl’s spot on the offensive line.

Linebacker Cassius Vaughn (shoulder) will not play, but Jermaine Gabriel will return to the defensive secondary after coming off the sixgame injured list. BEARING IT ALL: Argos linebacker Bear Woods wasn’t about to respond to a report this week that he was cut by Montreal in training camp after he reported a rules violation to the CFL Players’ Association.

Woods reportedly informed the union of a workout on the first day of camp where the players used pads. He was promptly cut by Montreal, though GM and head coach Kavis Reed claimed at the time that the team let the 30-year-old go because it wanted to use younger linebackers.

“I was contacted (about the report) and there was some speculation,” Woods said.

“I won’t comment on speculation . . . I’m an Argo now and we have a big game to play in Hamilton this weekend.” Mark Zwolinski