Game Thread: Argos vs. BC Fri Sept 26 10 pm ET

[ArgoRavi]

You're engaging in overstated optimism IMO. Hunter has done nothing this year to suggest he will go back to being outstanding, but sure, it's possible. Doxtater has potential, but has yet to realize it and has missed a lot of playing time, slowing his development. Vandal/Giffen are not even close to sure things to start, much less to be part of an outstanding interior. Maybe one of them will elevate, but based on this year I wouldn't bet a dollar on it. If either of Dankwah or Bosse develop into a starter, that would be great, but I wouldn't bet on that, either. Bosse looks far from ready for prime time after two years here, and Dankwah has hardly played any snaps in the CFL. Maybe Murphy can find an Allen-level INT, maybe they can draft a NAT who is able to play right away. But on the evidence from this year (both recruiting and drafting), I wouldn't bet on either of those things happening, either.

So which CFL team's O-lines now do you see as so far superior to the Argos current group, and so much so it would allow them to compete for a GC where the Argo group just couldn't ?

All other CFL teams have at least some semblance of a run game this year - the Argos do not and are dead last in the league there; O-lines like to be able to punch and road grade and not just back on their heels in a pass pro for a predictable all pass offence.

Your second statement answers your first question.

The lack of a running game this year after having excellent rushing games the previous three years remains a great mystery to me. I think the Argos have decent to good backs but how mostly the same o-linemen can run block effectively one year and not the next has been baffling. Perhaps the Argos should have retained Carey and Adebobye but I am unconvinced they would be running the ball much better behind this line.

[ARGO57]

So which CFL team's O-lines now do you see as so far superior to the Argos current group, and so much so it would allow them to compete for a GC where the Argo group just couldn't ?

All other CFL teams have at least some semblance of a run game this year - the Argos do not and are dead last in the league there; O-lines like to be able to punch and road grade and not just back on their heels in a pass pro for a predictable all pass offence.

Your second statement answers your first question.

The lack of a running game this year after having excellent rushing games the previous three years remains a great mystery to me. I think the Argos have decent to good backs but how mostly the same o-linemen can run block effectively one year and not the next has been baffling. Perhaps the Argos should have retained Carey and Adebobye but I am unconvinced they would be running the ball much better behind this line.

The O-Line hasn’t been good at all this year.

[shatto]

Could it be that Hunter, who was so outstanding in2024, is not suited for OT? If that is the case, then Hunter at OG, Nicastro at C and the best of Vandal, Doxtator, Giffen, Dankwah or Bosse (assuming all are healthy next ) could provide a strong inside. Kemp appeared to be playing well LT. If he continues to develop, then the question is who shall play RT? Perhaps the team could entice a good free agent during the off season. I may be wrong, but the potential appears to be there but the question is, will it be realized?

[TrueBlueGuy]

the way the CFL works, and Argos know this better than most, there is so much free-agent turnover in the off-season that nobody can say right now, with any certainty, what 2026 will hold for our team.
The reduced number of home games is for sure a big big negative in 2026. But nobody can say the Argos won't be better in 2026, despite the schedule challenges, because we don't know the roster.
One thing I would say is that I'm hoping for some changes in the co-ordinators, and some other coaching positions.
Don't need to be more specific, the posts on here over the year speak for themselves about our coaches.

as for some other comments, I do agree that the difference in the 2025 CFL between the top and bottom teams is not that great.
For the Argos to do in 2026 what the Stamps did in 2025 is very possible (a winning year, but no Grey Cup for the Stamps in 2025).
Keeping your 1st-string QB healthy is an absolute must, for anyone, if you want to have a good season.

[paulwoods13]

How it happened might not be knowable outside the team, but there's plenty of conjecture. Hunter not suited to play tackle (Grey Cup was an early warning sign), and perhaps too light. Vandal perhaps too light, perhaps played over his head last season after being chosen in the eighth round for a reason. No adequate replacement for Allen, who IMO was the league's best OT for three straight seasons. Giffen can't stay healthy for the third or fourth time in five seasons. Moore turned out to be much worse than expected. Ciraco for whatever reason is now seen as just a backup.

[paulwoods13]

Aside from questions about the coaching staff, questions also need to be asked about the mgmt structure. If Dinwiddie is effectively the GM as well as the HC and OC, that's way too big of a load. It makes no sense to tie up a huge chunk of the ops cap in two guys: a GM who doesn't do most of the things GMs do (recruit and negotiate contracts) and a coach who has too much responsibility, and accordingly needs to be paid a lot.

[IssuesMcgee]

One thing I am optimistic about is that the Argos have all the tools in place to be contenders next year.

I don't know what you are basing this on. I don't see the makings of an o-line they can contend with. Many guys (as with every team) are on expiring contracts and might not be back. There is no Vince Magri/Alex Russell to find NAT gems (this year's draft looks like a complete bust, after five great ones in a row). They are playing 12 games on the road next season. Who knows what's happening at QB. There will likely be changes to the coaching staff (and there probably should be). IMO only the receivers, Arbuckle, the linebackers and Hajrullahu met or surpassed expectations this season -- much more will be needed to contend in 2026.

Chad Kelly.

[ARGO57]

One thing I am optimistic about is that the Argos have all the tools in place to be contenders next year.

I don't know what you are basing this on. I don't see the makings of an o-line they can contend with. Many guys (as with every team) are on expiring contracts and might not be back. There is no Vince Magri/Alex Russell to find NAT gems (this year's draft looks like a complete bust, after five great ones in a row). They are playing 12 games on the road next season. Who knows what's happening at QB. There will likely be changes to the coaching staff (and there probably should be). IMO only the receivers, Arbuckle, the linebackers and Hajrullahu met or surpassed expectations this season -- much more will be needed to contend in 2026.

Chad Kelly.

The roster needs more than just Chad Kelly’s return.

[paulwoods13]

IMO banking on Kelly's return next season is a risky play. Something has prevented him from playing for an entire year. If it's slow healing from the injury, that doesn't seem to bode well for a return to full health. If it's something else, that also doesn't seem to bode well for a return. We'll see, obviously, but IMO his return next year is a question mark, not a certainty. (And if he does come back, what is there to inspire confidence he'll have better o-line play in front of him than we had this year?)

[AngeloV]

IMO banking on Kelly's return next season is a risky play. Something has prevented him from playing for an entire year. If it's slow healing from the injury, that doesn't seem to bode well for a return to full health. If it's something else, that also doesn't seem to bode well for a return. We'll see, obviously, but IMO his return next year is a question mark, not a certainty. (And if he does come back, what is there to inspire confidence he'll have better o-line play in front of him than we had this year?)

All this may be true as far as Kelly being a question mark going forward, But as far as the o-line goes, Kelly makes it better for 2 reasons. He doesn’t hold the ball too long in the pocket which makes the pass pro look better. The amount of sacks after he came back last year greatly reduced from the first half of the season. Also, his ability to throw makes the lb’s play a bit further back which also helps the run game.