Argos (1-1) at Als (2-0)
7:30 p.m. at McGill Stadium; TSN; 1050 TSN Radio
Turf Bits
* Argos are 10-1-0 under Jim Barker when they score at least 17 points; team is 8-2-0 when it wins the turnover battle and 1-7-0 when it?s on the losing end.
* Toronto?s defensive secondary has yet to get flagged for pass interference or any illegal contact call.
* Noel Prefontaine has made six field goals in a row and 11 straight dating back to last season when he rejoined the Argos; his last miss came on Oct. 15, a 58-yard attempt on the last play of the opening half.
* During Anthony Calvillo?s streak of 15 straight completions last week in Regina, the veteran QB produced 220 yards, nine first downs and three TDs.
* A number that is completely under-appreciated is the four interception returns for TDs produced by Anwar Stewart, the most in Als history. Stewart is also the franchise leader in sacks with 59.
* In two games, the Als have come away with two TDs and two FGs in four trips inside the red zone, normally considered as inside the opposition?s 20 yard line.
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Five things to watch
1. How do the Argos defend Anthony Calvillo
The Argos have a very solid defence that is both physical and athletic; they like to play a bend but don?t break defence that does not yield big plays; wrapping up receivers and making them pay, especially on crossing routes, must be executed.
2. Chad Owens
The life of a CFL return guy is not long, but it would be foolish to suddenly dismiss Owens, the CFL?s top special teams player from a year go, completely. Field position must be won and it begins with Owens? ability to make plays in the return game.
3. Chad Kackert
Once the Argos broke from their team meetings on Thursday, one of the most sought after players was Kackert, who fills in for an injured Cory Boyd; teammates say the rookie back has prepared well all week, but now football?s proverbial bullets start flying.
4. Cleo Lemon
It?ll be interesting to see how the Argos game-plan their offence in the absence of their marquee player; Lemon doesn?t get asked to make many plays, but he?s going to have to make more Friday night, or at least more than normal.
5. Ben Cahoon
Veteran slotback will be honoured as he makes his return to Montreal for the first time since he announced his retirement in the off-season; wasn?t the quickest to play his position, but not many played with the fearlessness that summed up Cahoon; not many caught more crucial passes in traffic.
Trash Talk
Argos O-lineman Dominic Picard has no time for Als LB Shea Emry, who gets under the skin of many.
?I don?t like him. He?s one guy I just want to punish because I can?t stand him. He?s chippy, chirpy and I don?t like him.?
Chalk Talk
A look inside a Montreal pass play that led to a touchdown last week in Regina, a completion that tied Calvillo with Damon Allen on the CFL?s career TD list.
?It was a 12-yard dig route,?? began Calvillo on a play that involved Tim Maypray. ?He was the primary receiver and he got open.?
Maypray was matched up in man coverage on a linebacker in a basic crossing route to gain yards on first down.
?It was a great call by the coaching staff,?? Maypray said. ?They schemed it up perfectly. With the DBs out of the picture, there was a lot of grass to run.?
With no help in the secondary, Maypray caught the ball in stride and went untouched into the end zone.
7:30 p.m. at McGill Stadium; TSN; 1050 TSN Radio
Turf Bits
* Argos are 10-1-0 under Jim Barker when they score at least 17 points; team is 8-2-0 when it wins the turnover battle and 1-7-0 when it?s on the losing end.
* Toronto?s defensive secondary has yet to get flagged for pass interference or any illegal contact call.
* Noel Prefontaine has made six field goals in a row and 11 straight dating back to last season when he rejoined the Argos; his last miss came on Oct. 15, a 58-yard attempt on the last play of the opening half.
* During Anthony Calvillo?s streak of 15 straight completions last week in Regina, the veteran QB produced 220 yards, nine first downs and three TDs.
* A number that is completely under-appreciated is the four interception returns for TDs produced by Anwar Stewart, the most in Als history. Stewart is also the franchise leader in sacks with 59.
* In two games, the Als have come away with two TDs and two FGs in four trips inside the red zone, normally considered as inside the opposition?s 20 yard line.
================
Five things to watch
1. How do the Argos defend Anthony Calvillo
The Argos have a very solid defence that is both physical and athletic; they like to play a bend but don?t break defence that does not yield big plays; wrapping up receivers and making them pay, especially on crossing routes, must be executed.
2. Chad Owens
The life of a CFL return guy is not long, but it would be foolish to suddenly dismiss Owens, the CFL?s top special teams player from a year go, completely. Field position must be won and it begins with Owens? ability to make plays in the return game.
3. Chad Kackert
Once the Argos broke from their team meetings on Thursday, one of the most sought after players was Kackert, who fills in for an injured Cory Boyd; teammates say the rookie back has prepared well all week, but now football?s proverbial bullets start flying.
4. Cleo Lemon
It?ll be interesting to see how the Argos game-plan their offence in the absence of their marquee player; Lemon doesn?t get asked to make many plays, but he?s going to have to make more Friday night, or at least more than normal.
5. Ben Cahoon
Veteran slotback will be honoured as he makes his return to Montreal for the first time since he announced his retirement in the off-season; wasn?t the quickest to play his position, but not many played with the fearlessness that summed up Cahoon; not many caught more crucial passes in traffic.
Trash Talk
Argos O-lineman Dominic Picard has no time for Als LB Shea Emry, who gets under the skin of many.
?I don?t like him. He?s one guy I just want to punish because I can?t stand him. He?s chippy, chirpy and I don?t like him.?
Chalk Talk
A look inside a Montreal pass play that led to a touchdown last week in Regina, a completion that tied Calvillo with Damon Allen on the CFL?s career TD list.
?It was a 12-yard dig route,?? began Calvillo on a play that involved Tim Maypray. ?He was the primary receiver and he got open.?
Maypray was matched up in man coverage on a linebacker in a basic crossing route to gain yards on first down.
?It was a great call by the coaching staff,?? Maypray said. ?They schemed it up perfectly. With the DBs out of the picture, there was a lot of grass to run.?
With no help in the secondary, Maypray caught the ball in stride and went untouched into the end zone.
