Don's Guessing Game

BasX · Sep 27, 2008

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - Don Matthews was in a mood for a little gamesmanship Friday.

Matthews wouldn't say who his starting quarterback will be when Toronto (4-8) hosts the Calgary Stampeders (8-4) at Rogers Centre on Saturday night. Cody Pickett was listed atop the depth chart and the sophomore sounded pretty emphatic after practice that he'll be the one under centre against the Stamps.

(Catch all the excitment with a Saturday doubleheader starting with the Stampeders in Toronto to face the Argonauts. Then, the Lions host the Tiger-Cats, it all gets started at 7pm et/4pm pt on TSN and TSN HD)

Still, even despite persistent, sometimes roundabout questioning from reporters, Matthews wasn't budging, saying it was more important that Calgary prepare for both Pickett and veteran Kerry Joseph.

"It's a competitive advantage for us because they're different-type quarterbacks for them (Stamps) to prepare against both," Matthews said. "I don't see an advantage at all about us announcing that.

"Whether people dig in and speculate, I don't know if you've done that or not, and really, I don't care. I haven't said anything so nobody that reads it can believe anything for sure."

Stampeders coach-GM John Hufnagel said both Argos quarterbacks bring something different to the table.

"Kerry Joseph is a very dangerous quarterback who does a lot of great things with his legs and I have nothing but respect for Kerry Joseph," Hufnagel said. "Cody Picket did the things, he made good reads, he threw the ball accurately, things just didn't go his way.

"We have to be ready for either quarterback."

Pickett might've let the cat out of the bag about who will be starting for Toronto when asked what he thought about making his Argos home debut Saturday night.

"Yeah, I'm excited about it," he said. "I've got to do my best to take what the defence gives me and just be patient."

Pickett started his first CFL game in last week's 34-3 road loss to Calgary. The former rodeo star completed 21-of-36 passes for 193 yards with no touchdowns and an interception that was returned for a touchdown as the Argos mustered just 229 total offensive yards and 12 first downs.

But Toronto proved to be its own worst enemy with four turnovers, a problem Pickett says the Argos must remedy in the rematch.

"The biggest thing we did in the game was turn the ball over too many times," he said. "We have to be successful on first down and find a way to get into the end zone."

Matthews says being more successful on first down and efficient in second-down situations is crucial for the Argos.

"Better production on first down, no question," Matthews said. If you look at the running backs in the league, they average about five yards a carry so second down, a lot of times, is going to be second and five.

"So if you get a lot of second and five, if you're very good at it you stay on the field. If you're not good at it . . . that's what stops drives. We're trying to stay on the field a little bit longer with those two things: Better production on first-and-10 and being more efficient on second-and-five."

A ball-control offence would also help Toronto's defence because it would keep a potent Calgary offence (second in CFL scoring at 29.7 points per game) off the field. But Pickett said the Argos can't afford to get into a high-scoring shootout with the Stampeders.

"You get yourself in bad situations if you do that," he said. "Last week we weren't moving the ball real well and I tried to force one downfield and it cost me going seven the other way.

"As soon as you try to force things, bad things will happen."

Newcomer Claude Harriott will start at defensive end Saturday, along with veteran Jonathan Brown. The leaves incumbent Riall Johnson to be rotated in during the game.

Johnson's not happy about being relegated to part-time duty, but Matthews isn't the least bit concerned.
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http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=250884&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_main

shookem · Sep 27, 2008

How many different quarterback controversy's have there been in the last three years for the Argos?

It's ridiculous.

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Don's Guessing Game

BasX I Win

shookem Still not a bust

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Don's Guessing Game

BasX I Win

shookem Still not a bust

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