Pre-Season 1: Toronto at Hamilton

[OV Argo]

It makes no sense. He's probably your best Canadian linebacker, second only to Judge.

Typical CFL "thinker" move - a big Canadian guy moved to fullback (which is usually just a blocker); and Cassar has no real/recent experience as an offensive player; but if the job is just blocking, maybe doesn't matter much; and we'll see how much Miller deploys an H-back. That Cassar is not given any chance to compete for the what should be a wide-open MLB job speaks volumes; compare that to rookie draft pick Veresuk starting at MLB for the Ticats last year.

GOBs and their 7 only need apply thinking limits who/where Canadian talent will get a shot; MLB will be an American spot for the Argos; the Ticats were open last year to a Canadian playing that spot, but still had imports competing / in the mix there in TC and on the roster (and actually started a rookie import there in the play-off game last season, after the year Veresuk had)

Perhaps Cassar will become another John Palazeti and there's nothing wrong with that.

I'll take a Bob Bronk or Warren Hudson - guys who can actually do something with the ball, along with being powerful blockers - 100% of the time over a converted LB. Again though - we'll see how much the new offence actually deploys a fullback/H-back

[Unplayable]

First half over. Yawn.
I don't think anyone stood out for the Argos. Kelly looked ok, and had a couple of dropped passes. Pass protection was mostly ok, as usual virtually no running game.
Hamilton has had 3 sacks, the Argos zero.

[ArgoRavi]

First half over. Yawn.
I don't think anyone stood out for the Argos. Kelly looked ok, and had a couple of dropped passes. Pass protection was mostly ok, as usual virtually no running game.
Hamilton has had 3 sacks, the Argos zero.

The second half was much better for the Argos, led by their 3rd and 4th string QBs, as they rally for a 20-10 victory.

[IssuesMcgee]

Defence and Special Teams looked lost like last year in the first quarter, but they really got it going in the second half. You've done your job if you hold a team to 10 points.

Kelly looked fine. Coxie dropped two great passes from Chad that could have influenced the game early on, but the weather was awful so that kind of thing is to be expected.

Both Horn and Guercio looked better than Arbuckle. Guercio was the best looking QB of the three in my opinion. Horn has made major strides from last season.

I thought the Oline did fine but there is room for improvement.

The run game already looks better than last year. Logan and Hicks did well.

The team culture looks great. There was a lot of energy and positivity for a preseason game.

Fun game overall.

[Unplayable]

Yes the second half was more entertaining. Horn actually looked like a QB.

The run game got going a bit, but it was hard to evaluate whether the running backs like Logan and the offensive line were better, or the Hamilton defensive line was worse. Next game will give a better picture no doubt.

Defensively it was hard to tell whether there is reason for optimism or not as Hamilton's offence looked bad. Next game should give a much better idea.

[Will]

I was at the game (in a manner of speaking)

It was cold, miserable and wet.

Don't ask for any observations.

[RichK]

Pretty happy to see #12 moving around as well as, if not better than before. Did anyone else get a flashback to the ‘22 Cup when he took off with the ball? Nobody can chug it downfield quite like he does. And he’s still got the arm strength and the sweet release firing. I’d forgotten about his special chemistry with Ungerer. I’m excited about the QB play this year.

Only one sack today which was disappointing, but it was by Paris Shand who looked pretty good playing on the inside, which would open up some nice options. And holy crow I get the chatter about Gauthier now, good athlete with great instincts, whatta find.

And I really liked #25 Hicks, he’s good inside and outside and receiving too, looking a lot like the last Argos RB who wore that number. Coach Carey has gotta get an out of body experience watching this kid play. All things considered a good showing by the Argonauts.

[ARGO57]

Pretty happy to see #12 moving around as well as, if not better than before. Did anyone else get a flashback to the ‘22 Cup when he took off with the ball? Nobody can chug it downfield quite like he does. And he’s still got the arm strength and the sweet release firing. I’d forgotten about his special chemistry with Ungerer. I’m excited about the QB play this year.

Only one sack today which was disappointing, but it was by Paris Shand who looked pretty good playing on the inside, which would open up some nice options. And holy crow I get the chatter about Gauthier now, good athlete with great instincts, whatta find.

And I really liked #25 Hicks, he’s good inside and outside and receiving too, looking a lot like the last Argos RB who wore that number. Coach Carey has gotta get an out of body experience watching this kid play. All things considered a good showing by the Argonauts.

The biggest positive was seeing Kelly get his first live action in a year and a half and looking quite comfortable doing so despite the egregious late hit by Hamiltons latest goon, “Mr Good Business”.
Sadly it seems Hamilton still has a short supply of breath mints and deodorant but we managed to survive the game!

[argolio]

short supply of breath mints and deodorant

[paulwoods13]

The biggest positive was seeing Kelly get his first live action in a year and a half and looking quite comfortable doing so despite the egregious late hit by Hamiltons latest goon, “Mr Good Business”.

The hit by McManis looked worse live than it did on replay, IMO. I wouldn't consider it egregious, just a marginally late but not overly violent hit.