Argos primed for a Friday night slugfest against Ticats with first place at stake
Author of the article:
Frank ZicarelliPublishing date:
Nov 11, 2021 • 56 minutes ago • 4 minute read • Join the conversation
Dual-threat running back D.J. Foster returns to the lineup Friday night. Supplied photo Article content D.J. Foster is about to wrap up his first year in three-down football with a chance to end up first.
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Article contentThe running back returns to the lineup Friday night following a foot injury, hoping to provide the Argos with that dual threat Foster has shown since he first got to play in the CFL when Toronto ushered in its home season with a visit by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Argos won that evening and will have to duplicate the same formula they executed against Winnipeg when the Ticats come to town for a battle of first in the East and with it home-field advantage in the divisional final.
Foster played in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals and stayed in state for his collegiate career at Arizona State.
His time in the CFL has allowed Foster to understand the rivalry and bad blood that bonds the Ticats and Argos.
“Oh yeah, 100%,’’ began Foster when asked if games against Hamilton have an extra edge.
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Article content“That first game in Hamilton was different. No matter what league, you can feel a different level of intensity. It’s a rivalry game and there’s a different mind set going in.
“I know there’s going to be a lot of Hamilton fans as well as our fans and it’s going to be fun.â€
Foster knows what’s at stake.
He also knows the Argos have to play Edmonton next Tuesday on a short week.
There are 22 players on Toronto’s injured list, including fellow running back John White IV, who hurt his knee last week in Ottawa.
Foster and A.J. Ouellette, who rushed for 100 yards in Toronto’s win over the Redblacks, will be in the backfield Friday night.
Foster may ultimately prove the difference maker for the Argos given his skill set.
For the Argos to give themselves a chance, they must establish a run game, which will allow head coach Ryan Dinwiddie to expand his play calling.
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Article contentIf the Argos can’t run the football, their chances of beating Hamilton for the third time this season don’t look good.
Toronto’s two wins against the Ticats were produced by a combined two points.
“I know guys are beat up, but we have to put that aside and play ball (Friday night),’’ said Foster.
Two of the biggest injured Argos are starting centre Peter Nicastro and stud linebacker Dexter McCoil Jr., who were both hurt during Toronto’s overtime win over visiting B.C. two weeks ago.
When you take into account the game-day roster, injured list, practice roster and CFL practice roster a total of 78 players are on Toronto’s list.
One player who isn’t accounted for is linebacker Nate Holley, the CFL’s rookie of the year two years ago when he played in Calgary.
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Article contentToronto signed Holley last week.
A win Friday will allow the many injured players extra time to recover.
The Eastern final will be played on Nov. 28.
Hamilton has just as much on the line as host city for next month’s Grey Cup.
The Ticats end their regular season with a home game against Saskatchewan.
Foster hopes none of his teammates get caught up in the moment, even if the moment is this big with so much riding on the outcome.
“You’ve got to enjoy games like these,’’ he said.
“This is what pro football is all about. This is why I played the game as a little kid, to have games like this.â€
Robbie Smith will play in his biggest game as a pro, having joined the Argos two years when the club drafted the defensive end from Laurier.
On Remembrance Day as the Argos conducted their walkthrough at BMO Field, the Brampton native felt blessed to be in this position.
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Article content“I feel grateful to be able to play in a game of this magnitude,’’ said Smith.
In terms of schematics, the Argos defence must negate those explosive plays Hamilton can create when the ball is in the hands of players such as Brandon Banks.
Ticats quarterback Jeremiah Masoli will make plays with his feet and arm.
For Smith, the key will be contain responsibility.
In his first season in Double Blue, Smith played on a four-win team.
A win Friday night will be Toronto’s ninth.
An actual crowd will be in attendance as well.
Even when the crowd was sparse, Smith appreciated the support the Argos received.
He has a feeling something special is about to play out Friday night.
“Definitely,’’ said Smith when asked if home field will be an advantage.
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Article content“I think Toronto is going to come out big time. When you’re on that home field and the crowd gets you going it adds an extra juice, especially playing here at BMO.
“We have some really good fans I think we will have home -field advantage.â€
Smith felt all week during Toronto’s preparation how much players were relishing this opportunity.
“You can tell from everyone in the building and their energy that they all understand how important this game is,’’ he said.
Smith recorded a sack on Labour Day in the Hammer.
Toronto likes to blitz, but will do itself a huge favour if the front four can mount a pass rush.
Fabion Foote and Travis Feeney return to the D-line.
As expected, Charleston Hughes won’t play as the Argos placed the veteran on the one-game injured list.
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