The 2015 CFL season is finally here. The Toronto Argonauts will be in Fort McMurray Alberta for their “home opener” this Saturday June 27th, so let’s take a look at this year’s version of the Argonauts.
The Good
GM Jim Barker has been signed to a new three-year contract, and HC Scott Milanovich has followed suit with the idea of “building the franchise into a player destination.” Both men will be loaded with confidence as their new deals combined with new ownership and a new playing venue take care of a headache that’s been bothering them both for years.
Barker has already done some work regarding two areas with major injuries. He’s shored up the RB spot with former Alouette Brandon Whitaker taking a practice roster spot, and also signed Adrian Macpherson to a deal that will likely see him become the short yardage QB.
The Argonauts front four will be a strong point to their progress this season. Acquiring DE Ricky Foley from the Saskatchewan Roughriders was a needed move: with the new illegal contact infraction in place, it will be imperative to keep opposing QBs hurried and on the ground for success.
Andre Durie will be healthy and ready to go. The York University product’s 2014 season was plagued with injuries, but hopes are high that he can return to his 2012 and 2013 form where he averaged over 10 yards per catch. Combined with the elusive Chad Owens and Trevor Harris, the tools are place to help him succeed.
Special teams are a strength for the Argonauts this year. K/P Swayze Waters had a remarkable 2014, good on 90.4% of his field goals, making him a true weapon for the Boatmen. He also made a 47.7 yard punting average and earned Special Teams player of the year in 2014. When you can flip field position on a big booming punt, your defense gains confidence. Offensively the mindset changes as well: if the Argos have a drive that stalls, suddenly punting isn’t the worst thing in the world.
The Bad
The schedule for the Argos will not be kind to them; a slough of road games to start the year will be tough to overcome. The Argos will play eight games in Toronto this year, their “home opener” against Edmonton in Fort McMurray, Alberta, compounding the scheduling misery. To remain in the hunt for the East Division crown at year end they will need to keep pace and wait for October, when the Boatmen will have the luxury of playing indoors for five weeks straight to end the season.
The ground game appears to be a glaring hole in the Argos attack. With Steve Slaton now retired and Curtis Steele on the six game injured list, the Argos are looking for ways to replace the 1000-plus rushing yards Steele and Slaton gained last season. Chad Kackert and Brandon Whitaker are both the practice roster: the questions regarding Kackert’s health are legitimate, as he has not been healthy since 2012 when the Argos won the Grey Cup and he was named MOP. Whitaker is an interesting pickup. When healthy and motivated, he drew comparisons to Avon Cobourne.
Shea Emry is no longer a Argo, that is a big piece missing in the middle of their defence this coming year. Emry was the spark plug last year in the middle of the Argos D. The main concern for the Argonauts on D will be replacing the team leader in tackles from 2014.
Ricky Ray starting the season on the six game injured list is a loss for the Argos. Trevor Harris will lead the team on this opening road swing. Ray led the league in 2014 in touchdown passes, as well as passing yards. It’s important to note that Harris has been with the team since 2012, learning the system under Milanovich, and he will be guided by Ray while starting.
That is the LWOS season preview of the Toronto Argonauts. Feel free to comment below.
