Riders vs Argos – Week 3 Preview

Riders vs Argos – Week 3 Preview

Published: Saturday, Jun 29th 2019, 4:06pm

By Sheldon Jones (@sheldonjones83)

 

When thinking about this upcoming tilt at Mosaic Stadium between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts on Canada Day in Regina, I was instantly reminded about the last 2 games involving the Riders at home on July 1st. 2 years ago the first regular season game in “New” Mosaic Stadium was held on Canada Day against the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers. I was unable to attend that game due to being a groomsmen at a good friends wedding but I can only imagine how great it was to christen a new beautiful state of the art stadium. The end result was not what Rider Nation wanted but on that night I think the game was secondary for a lot of people.

 

The other game that immediately came to mind was July 1st, 2010. A Grey Cup rematch between the 2009 Champs the Montreal Alouettes and the hometown Riders. Rider Nation was still stinging from the too many men penalty that ripped not only the Grey Cup from the Riders but the hearts out of all Rider fans around the world. The game itself starting out terribly for the Riders. The Als jumped out to a huge lead but Darian Durant took charge and led an amazing comeback to tie the game and send it to over-time. The Riders would score first and looked to stop the Alouettes but ironically was charged with another too many men penalty to give Anthony Calvillo another chance to tie the game with an incredible 2 point conversion catch by SJ Green. The Riders ended up winning the game on a pair of Weston Dressler catches and got a little bit of retribution for their grey cup loss.

 

This game on paper does not seem to have the same potential for a great game as both the Riders (0-2) and the Argos (0-1) are winless so far this year. The Riders are coming off a thrilling 44-41 loss to the Ottawa REDBLACKS, a game in which Cody Fajardo took a giant step forward on his journey to become a CFL starting QB. The Argos on the other hand got embarrassed 64-14 by the Hamilton Tiger Cats. Both teams need a win and there are a couple story lines involved in this game as well. Argos HC Corey Chamblin is making his return to Riderville where he won the Grey Cup in 2013. Monday could also see the debuts of marquee free agent signings Emmanuel Arceneaux and Solomon Elimimian who HC Craig Dickenson said both were “close” to being ready.

 

After the disastrous first game, Chamblin will need to have a better game plan to stop the, all of a sudden, potent Rider offence. Farjardo will look to have another great game as I’m sure he knows that 3rd stringer Isaac Harker will be ready to go in if he falters any. The Riders were as high at 13.5 point favorites this week and will need to continue to use the run game to set up the play action and pass if they want to remain effective. I have not heard one person bad talk OC Stephen McAdoo this week and, as I have been one of his biggest critics, I will look forward to a helping of crow if we see another explosive offensive output. The Argos do have playmakers on offense with receivers

Derel Walker and SJ Green and running back James Wilder Jr. The Riders defence will show up as I am sure they were not happy giving up 44 points in Ottawa. Cornerback Nick Marshall did not have his best game so I see him being very fired up to have a better showing.

 

While I’m not sure if the Riders will cover the spread this should be a slam dunk. The pessimist in me thinks this might be a trap game, but with the Roughriders needing the win just as bad as the Argos I don’t see them underestimating them. Riders by 10, 28-18.