Toronto Argonauts body-slammed in Edmonton (& seven other thoughts)

Photo courtesy: Chris Lindsey/Toronto Argonauts

On Saturday afternoon in Edmonton, the Toronto Argonauts looked more like the halftime wrestling entertainment than legitimate contenders, getting worked over by the Elks in a 41–12 loss that left fans wincing long after the final whistle.

Here are my thoughts on the game.

Swaggerless Kelly

Last Thursday, Chad Kelly endured a rough outing, recording his second four-interception game of the season while trying to avoid becoming ‘Checkdown Charlie.’ He finished 21-of-31 for 265 yards in this game, but for the second straight week, surrendered a pick-six. That blow helped seal a dominant performance by the Edmonton Elks defence.

After that interception return for a touchdown, Kelly arguably should have been pulled. The game was effectively out of reach, he wasn’t at his best, and there was little to gain by risking further damage. Head coach Mike Miller, however, saw things differently and kept Kelly in until the final two minutes.

“No, I did not consider (pulling Kelly) at that time,” Miller said post-game. “I was gonna try to continue to work and try to build some momentum, and then at that point after that, I just thought, well, that was the one more drive.”

Backup Nick Arbuckle ultimately threw four passes, completing two of them for 14 yards while also being intercepted once.

The Lidster is leaking

Brady Lidster had a strong CFL debut against the B.C. Lions, demonstrating the leg strength and confidence that made him an intriguing long-term option for the Argonauts. However, the rookie’s performance since has not been flawless. He missed two kicks on Saturday, including a 35-yard attempt, raising questions about his consistency in a job predicated on trust.

Lidster was brought in to fill the void left by Lirim Hajrullahu, but the pressure that comes with replacing a proven veteran is significant. One encouraging performance may not be enough to settle the position, particularly if missed opportunities continue to affect close games.

“I take everything day by day, and I’m not trying to board anything,” Miller told me when asked about the Argonauts’ kicking situation.

“I have to evaluate the film. We evaluate it one day at a time, and then we’ll make decisions that we feel are best for the football team.”

Hit with a Cody cutter

Cody Fajardo was clicking on all cylinders for Edmonton, posting an impressive stat line of 25-of-31 for 301 yards and one touchdown, while adding 50 rushing yards, including a career-best 44-yard scramble. Those are the kinds of numbers usually associated with Chad Kelly, but on this afternoon, it was Fajardo who steadied his squad and helped the Elks get back on track.

Fajardo carved up the Argonauts’ secondary, spreading the ball to seven different offensive players. It wasn’t just his receivers benefiting. Running back Justin Rankin led all Elks pass-catchers with 61 yards on four receptions, including a 37-yard grab that set up Rankin’s lone rushing touchdown of the day.

Burn the film, Damonte

After a 161-yard performance last week against Calgary, Damonte Coxie took two giant steps back against Edmonton. He finished with five receptions for 37 yards and a long of nine, a quiet day by his standards, but made other mistakes that didn’t show up on the stat sheet, including letting the game-changing pick-six deflect off his hands.

The connection between Kelly and Coxie usually can’t miss and has been a weapon capable of propelling the Argonauts to victory on any given week. When that rhythm is off, it’s always interesting to watch how a quarterback and receiver work to get back on the same page.

“We’ve just both got to be better,” Kelly said post-game. “We’ve got to be on the same page; we’ve got to work on this.”

For the Argonauts, getting Coxie back into a groove could be key as they look to find more consistency through the air. The chemistry is clearly there, but after a quiet outing, both Kelly and Coxie will be looking to re-establish the connection that has made them so dangerous.

He’s a dual threat, you know

Justin Rankin has been one of the CFL’s most dynamic running backs, and after a couple of down weeks for the team, he led the charge to help the Elks get back on track against the Argonauts. In addition to his 61 receiving yards, Rankin added 47 yards on 16 carries, helping Edmonton rack up 158 rushing yards.

This performance was a stark reminder of how vulnerable the team’s run defence can be when they fail to set the edge and maintain gap integrity. Rankin’s  47 rushing yards on 16 carries may not look explosive at first glance, but Javon Leake added 58 on six carries, and Fajardo also had a strong game on the ground. More concerning for Toronto is that their entire offence managed only 45 rushing yards, two fewer than Rankin alone — highlighting a night where they were outphysicalled and outexecuted in the trenches

The Bubba bright spot

Finding bright spots was difficult, but defensive back Bubba Bolden stood out for the Argonauts — both today and throughout the season. Signed just over a month ago after being released earlier this year by the Montreal Alouettes, Bolden has quickly turned a fresh start in Toronto into a showcase of his playmaking ability and football IQ.

Against a tough opponent, Bolden registered 10 tackles, including one of the team’s three sacks. His activity around the line of scrimmage, sure tackling in space, and ability to read the offence helped limit big plays and kept the defence competitive despite the overall result. Whether dropping into coverage or flying up to support the run, he was consistently around the ball.

He was one of the few positives for Toronto on either side of the ball. He led all defenders in the contest, and in his brief time with the Argonauts, he has already become a key contributor to Greg Quick’s defence.

“He’s a generous teammate, loves being an Argo, loves his teammates,” Miller said post-game about Bolden.

“He’s a very physical player. You’d be hard-pressed to find a tougher guy. Grit comes to mind again, like a lot of those guys on this team.”

Let’s go to the Argonauts game

The Argonauts return to BMO Field next Saturday as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats make their lone trip up the QEW for the clubs’ annual CNE matchup. The Argonauts will be out for revenge after Lirim Hajrullahu’s 31-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide as time expired in a 24–23 loss back in July. That heartbreaker still stings in the locker room, and the Argonauts have a chance to settle the score in front of their home faithful.

This is the Argonauts’ CNE game, and every ticket holder receives free admission to the Canadian National Exhibition, making it a natural double-header for fans looking to cap off a day at the Ex with a night of football. Exhibition Place already buzzes with energy during the CNE, with live concerts, midway rides, food vendors, and attractions. The hope is that the Argonauts deliver a performance that turns it into a truly fun night for the home crowd.