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Canada News.Net
6 days ago
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
Argos, Blue Bombers enter Grey Cup rematch with sour taste
(Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images) The first rematch of last year's Grey Cup final takes place Saturday night. Neither the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers nor the defending champion Toronto Argonauts are going into it with any kind of positive momentum. Winnipeg (3-2) has dropped two straight, including a 41-20 pummeling on July 18 at home against Calgary. Toronto (1-5) dropped a tough one July 17 with a come-from-ahead 26-25 loss in Montreal after owning a 25-7 halftime advantage. It's the first time that the Argos have started 1-5 or worse since 2019, leaving a sour taste in the mouth of linebacker Wynton McManis. 'There's no time to waste,' McManis said after last week's loss. 'There's got to be some type of urgency. There's no reason we should have lost that game. There's no reason why we shouldn't be celebrating coming out victorious.' For Toronto to reverse its fortunes, it simply has to avoid the mistakes that have plagued it. Quarterback Nick Arbuckle's late fumble at the Argos' 21 led to Montreal's winning touchdown last week. 'We've got to have more ball security in the pocket and awareness of the game situation,' Toronto coach Ryan Dinwiddie said. While the Argonauts seek a more detailed effort, the Blue Bombers attempt to bounce back from consecutive routs at Calgary's hands. The most recent one featured four interceptions -- two each for starter Zach Collaros and Chris Streveler. Collaros was knocked out with a neck injury after tossing his second pick in the second quarter but said he will play in Toronto. The focus for Collaros and offensive coordinator Jason Hogan is cleaning up the mistakes that defined the back-to-back losses against the Stampeders. 'We have got to be clean and that means taking better care of the football,' Hogan said. 'If we do that, we have proved with both quarterbacks we can drive efficiently down the football field. We just have to put the nail in the coffin and score. Six points are better than three.' This is the first of a home-and-home series between Winnipeg and Toronto. They'll meet again on Aug. 1 in Manitoba.
CTV News
14-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
McManis, Argos look to get back on the winning track at home versus Stampeders
Toronto Argonauts' Wynton McManis (48) runs the ball during second half CFL football action at the 111th Grey Cup against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn There's no place like home for Wynton McManis and the Toronto Argonauts. Toronto (0-1) hosts the Calgary Stampeders (1-0) on Saturday afternoon in its home opener. After the Argos began their Grey Cup title defence with a 28-10 road loss in Montreal last week, McManis welcomes the return to BMO Field, where the club is 16-2 the last two seasons. 'Just the love we get from Argos Nation, their energy, their passion,' McManis said in explaining Toronto's home-field record. 'We see them all the time at practice and when they show up at the game, you feel like they're stepping on to the field. 'I think that adds a little something to us and we always come with a little more juice.' Toronto has excelled at BMO Field under Ryan Dinwiddie, who's in his fifth season as head coach and has led the Argos to a 27-7 home mark. 'Obviously you want to do that for your fans and play exciting football for them,' Dinwiddie said. 'But if we win all of our home games there's a good chance we're going to make the playoffs. 'We still have to win on the road, that's an emphasis as well. But when we're at home I think guys are excited to go out there and play in front of our great fans.' However, Dinwiddie is 3-4 versus Calgary, the only CFL team he has a sub.-500 record against. Stamps head coach/GM Dave Dickenson boasts a 12-3 mark against Toronto. Toronto Argonauts head coach Ryan Dinwiddie smiles during a team walk-through ahead of the 111th CFL Grey Cup, in Vancouver, on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Toronto Argonauts head coach Ryan Dinwiddie smiles during a team walk-through ahead of the 111th CFL Grey Cup, in Vancouver, on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Toronto's defence struggled with the run against Montreal, allowing 163 yards on 26 carries (6.3-yard average). The rushing attack figured prominently in Calgary's season-opening 38-26 win over Hamilton last week as the Stamps had 158 yards on 31 attempts (5.1-yard average) with Dedrick Mills accounting for 94 yards and three touchdowns. 'It (stopping run) is always the most important thing, that's always your first goal,' said McManis, who had nine tackles against Montreal. 'Mills is a great back, he does a good job of reading and breaking a lot of tackles so we have to make sure we swarm to the ball and tackle with all 12 hats.' Then again, Calgary's offensive co-ordinator Pat DelMonaco is also its offensive-line coach. 'Pat is an O-line coach at heart so he wants to to play a physical brand of football,' Dinwiddie said. 'They're going to try to attack us downhill and we've got a good plan for it. 'Guys are aware of it and it all starts up front for us in this game.' Veteran Vernon Veteran Vernon Adams Jr. completed 19-of-28 passes for 284 yards last week in his Calgary debut. He was intercepted twice but did rush for 33 yards on three carries. Adams is 2-5 lifetime versus Toronto but has thrown 14 TD passes over that stretch. 'He's a dual-threat quarterback,' McManis said of Adams. 'He's an older guy now so there's not much he hasn't seen. Calgary Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., right, hands the ball off to Jeshrun Antwi during first half CFL preseason football action against the Edmonton Elks in Calgary, Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Stampeders look to Adams to help turn the te... Calgary Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., right, hands the ball off to Jeshrun Antwi during first half CFL preseason football action against the Edmonton Elks in Calgary, Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Stampeders look to Adams to help turn the team around in 2025 after missing the playoffs last season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh 'Just kind of try to make him have to sit in the pocket and see if we can kind of confuse him and show him some things he hasn't seen before and get pressure on him and try to make him uncomfortable.' Veteran Nick Arbuckle will make a second straight start at quarterback for Toronto with incumbent Chad Kelly still being limited in practice. Kelly, 31, continues to recover from a leg injury suffered in last year's East Division final. Toronto Argonauts quarterback Nick Arbuckle (4) passes during first-half CFL pre-season football game action against the Hamilton Tiger Cats in Hamilton, Ont. on Saturday, May 24, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power Toronto Argonauts quarterback Nick Arbuckle (4) passes during first-half CFL pre-season football game action against the Hamilton Tiger Cats in Hamilton, Ont. on Saturday, May 24, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power Arbuckle, who was the MVP of Toronto's Grey Cup win over Winnipeg last year, completed 20-of-32 passes for 273 yards and a TD versus Montreal but also had two interceptions. 'Just sustain drives,' Dinwiddie said regarding what he'd like to see from his offence Saturday. 'We had some good plays and we'd get three first downs but then have to punt. 'We had our moments last week and we've got to build off those and make sure it's a complete game this week.' McManis agreed. 'There are some things we need to clean up,' he said. 'It's early in the year, we've got to fix some MAs (missed assignments) and clean up the penalties but it's not really anything you're too worried about. 'I feel like we're in a good spot mentally, I feel like everyone is prepared and wants to get things done the right way. Our effort and compassion is there for it.' Toronto hasn't started a season 0-2 since 2019. Calgary has dropped its last two games at BMO Field after winning eight straight road contests versus Toronto. The two teams split their games last year, each victorious at home. --Dan Ralph This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025.
Toronto Star
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
McManis, Argos look to get back on the winning track at home versus Stampeders
TORONTO - There's no place like home for Wynton McManis and the Toronto Argonauts. Toronto (0-1) hosts the Calgary Stampeders (1-0) on Saturday afternoon in its home opener. After the Argos began their Grey Cup title defence with a 28-10 road loss in Montreal last week, McManis welcomes the return to BMO Field, where the club is 16-2 the last two seasons.
CTV News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
CFL's Toronto Argonauts prepare for home opening game
Toronto Watch Jessica Smith speaks with the CFL's Toronto Argonauts' Wynton McManis as the team prepares for their home opening game.
Hamilton Spectator
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Veteran linebacker McManis will anchor new-look Toronto Argonauts defence in 2025
GUELPH - Wynton McManis finds himself in somewhat unfamiliar surroundings as he returns for a fourth season with the Toronto Argonauts. The veteran middle linebacker will anchor a new-look Argos defence this season. Toronto will open its schedule June 6 in Montreal minus seven starters from the unit that forced five turnovers — resulting in 27 points — in its 41-24 Grey Cup win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. 'Yeah, there will be quite a few changes,' said McManis sporting an ever-present toothpick in his mouth. 'It's early, but once a lot of these guys start making plays you'll start learning the names a little bit more.' All four defensive linemen who started against Winnipeg are gone. Defensive end Folarin Orimolade was dealt to Calgary for Canadian linebacker Cam Judge while tackle Jake Ceresna and Canadian end Robbie Smith signed with Edmonton as free agents. Tackle Ralph Holley is now with the NFL's Cleveland Browns. Jared Brinkman, who opened '24 as a starting defensive lineman, also joined the Elks in free agency. Canadian linebacker Fraser Sopik, who made 12 starts last year with Toronto, signed with Calgary in free agency before retiring. Toronto did re-sign McManis — a two-time CFL all-star and three-time Grey Cup champion — in the off-season. Judge, entering his eighth CFL season, returns to the team he played for in 2021 but Canadian Tunde Adeleke, who started at linebacker versus Winnipeg. signed with Ottawa this off-season before retiring. Canadian safety Royce Metchie (free agent, Edmonton) and veteran halfback DaShaun Amos (free agent, Hamilton) also departed. 'No question, it's a brand new team,' said Toronto head coach Ryan Dinwiddie. 'There's more roster turnover this year than what we had last year and everybody thought we had a ton last year. 'There's going to be guys who've got to get familiar with the scheme and some of those things. I'm going to be hard on some of these incoming players to kind of let them understand what our expectations are in this building.' Toronto posted a CFL-high 48 sacks last season with Ceresna and Holley both recording eight to finish in a five-way tie for the CFL lead. Orimolade, Smith and Derek Parrish, who remains with the Argos, all had six. But while sacks certainly garner attention, of more importance to a defence is forcing turnovers because they can immediately change the complexion of a game. Nowhere was that more evident than in the Grey Cup as Toronto had a record-tying four interceptions but set a new standard with 164 return yards. Robert Priester had a 61-yard interception return TD as Toronto outscored Winnipeg 24-11 in the fourth quarter to cement its second championship win over the Bombers in three seasons. But Toronto's defensive changes aren't limited to its roster. Jason Shivers begins his first season as co-defensive co-ordinator with linebackers coach Kevin Eiben. He replaces William Fields, who's now the Ottawa Redblacks' defensive co-ordinator. Shivers is a former Argos defensive back who began his CFL coaching career with the club in 2013 as a defensive assistant. He'll also serve as Toronto's secondary coach. 'Jason brings a lot of confidence and the ability to relate to players,' Dinwiddie said. 'He's been a co-ordinator for a long time (2019, 21-23 with Saskatchewan, 2024 with Edmonton). 'I've told Jason and Kevin, 'You guys be aggressive. I'll take care of the other end on offence, we'll score enough points.' But I want those guys to go after teams, we're not going to to sit back.' All with the goal of getting the ball back for Toronto's offence as often as possible. 'We've got to create turnovers where last year we created turnovers just being really good football players,' Dinwiddie said. 'We've got to make sure we can confuse the offence a little bit, get a few interceptions thrown to us.' McManis said it will take time for Toronto's defensive players to get acclimated to the schemes and develop a chemistry together. 'There's going to be some growing pains but everyone is willing and able and just excited to be here to learn,' he said. 'I think the sky is the limit for this group. 'I know everyone says that every year but honestly, it's the truth. We have a lot of great guys.' The last celebrations of Toronto's '24 season will be the players receiving their Grey Cup rings and raising of the championship banner. But for McManis, last year's Grey Cup is a distant — albeit pleasant — memory. 'You know, 2024 is gone,' he said. 'I'm going to get the ring, smile at it, close the box and let's go win in 2025.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 11, 2025.
