The Toronto Argonauts were back practicing at Lamport Stadium on Wednesday as the team prepares to play the Hamilton Tiger-Cats next Monday at Tim Hortons Field. The 50th chapter of the Labour Day Classic between the two heated eastern rivals will be the first of four games that the Argos and Tiger-Cats play against each other this season.

Toronto plays Hamilton on Monday afternoon, but they follow up that game with an immediate rematch four days later at BMO Field. The two franchises then meet again in Hamilton on Monday, October 11th, before the Argos final game of the regular season, at home in week 15 against the Ti-Cats. Two familiar foes could have their seasons defined and the Eastern winner determined by the results of these head-to-head meetings.

The Argonauts (2-1) are off to a promising start, but their next stretch of games will reveal how far they have come and whether they will be genuine contenders this season. Three of Toronto’s next four contests are divisional games, and in between is a road trip to face one of the genuine Grey Cup contenders in Saskatchewan.

But first things first, the Argos recognize the importance of their next two games back to back with Hamilton. Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie has great respect for Orlondo Steinauer and their entire staff. And Dinwiddie believes that the Ti-Cats 1-2 record is misleading because they started the season with three great opponents. The Boatmen’s rookie coach was impressed with Hamilton’s film in week 4 and believes that they have righted their ship. However, Dinwiddie told the media today, “If we don’t win these games against Hamilton, they can run away with the East.” The newly-minted head coach also told the media today that he communicated that message to his players as well.

Toronto Argonauts News And Notes

• DeVaris Daniels, who left week 3’s win over Winnipeg with a head injury, was back on the practice field on Wednesday. Daniels was doing individual work on Wednesday, and is awaiting clearance from the team’s medical staff, before he can resume practicing fully. It looks Daniels will be available for the team’s week 5 clash with Hamilton.
• A familiar face has also returned to the Argos receiver room. Toronto has resigned Chandler Worthy to their practice roster. According to Ben Grant of Xs and Argos, Worthy was back practicing with his teammates today. Worthy was on the Boatmen’s practice roster, before being let go after week one.
• Despite some uncertainty with who will start the Labour Day Classic for Hamilton at Quarterback. Ryan Dinwiddie told CFLNewshub today that his team will prepare for both Dane Evans and Jeremiah Masoli. But that their main focus will be on the Ti-Cats offensive system and scheme.
• The impromptu bye week has helped some Argonauts players like OL Phillip Blake heal from their inuries. Blake who has been banged up all season-long, had to tough out the Argos first three games of the season with a shoulder injury. The veteran interior linemen feels great heading into Monday’s game with Hamilton.
• Argonauts QB Nick Arbuckle is also the healthiest he has been since injuring his hamstring back in training camp. Dinwiddie is happy with the way his starting QB is moving around and functioning in the pocket in practice.
• The Argos had great success running the football in weeks 2 and 3. With both John White and DJ Foster rushing for 100 yards each in seperate contests. Toronto used more two back and power sets with Declan Cross lining up in the backfield and at TE. Expect Toronto to continue to lean on their balanced and nulti-headed backfield attack moving foward.

Year Of The Rocket

Toronto Argonauts Historian and Author Paul Woods has released ‘Year Of The Rocket.’ A book that chronicles one of the most unique stories and teams in sports history. The 1991 Toronto Argonauts. Paul Woods is a journalist, Canadian football historian, and author of Bouncing Back: From National Joke to Grey Cup Champs, which chronicled the Toronto Argonauts winning the championship in 1983 after 31 years of futility and misery. 

Woods is one of the CFL’s most knowledgeable and respected fans. For many CFL fans outside of Canada like myself, the 1991 Toronto Argonauts are considered one of the greatest sports franchise stories ever. The 91 Argos drew many American fans into the CFL because of the star power on the field and running the team. It’s a story with so many different layers that only a respected writer like Paul Woods can properly tell.