Argos QBs battle each other, Ticats

June 12, 2010
CFL.ca Staff

Since 2005, the Argos and Ticats have met six times in the preseason. The Ticats have won three of these meetings and have tied one meeting, with the most recent win being a 28-21 decision at Rogers Centre in 2008. The Argos won last year’s pre-season meeting at Ivor Wynne Stadium by a score of 27-17.

In both of these contests, the winner of the pre-season match-up also went on to win the first regular season meeting between the teams. The Ticats defeated the Argos 32-13 in a week two match-up at Rogers Centre in 2008, while the Argos defeated the Ticats 30-17 in last year’s season opener on Canada Day at Ivor Wynne Stadium. The Black and Gold face the Double Blue for the first time in the regular season on Friday, August 20 at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

The Argos play their first game under new head coach Jim Barker, who replaced the fired Bart Andrus. One of Barker’s first orders of business in rebuilding a club that went 3-15 last year was to release quarterbacks Kerry Joseph, Cody Pickett and Stephen Reaves.

Toronto signed newcomers Cleo Lemon, Ken Dorsey, Dalton Bell and CIS career passing leader Danny Brannagan. All four are expected to play versus Hamilton.

Given the limitations of having just two pre-season contests in which to evaluate talent, Barker is hoping that many of his players, especially the newcomers, hold nothing back when they hit the field on Sunday.

“I told them (the players) they need to not be afraid of going out and making plays,” said Barker. “If they have to hold back in order to not take penalties (or limit other errors), then they are probably not going to be able to play here.”

The Ticats, who were second in the East Division, have a solid 1-2 punch at quarterback with Kevin Glenn and Quinton Porter. Hamilton also has sophomore running back DeAndra’ Cobb and former Argo slotback Arland Bruce III.

The club also picked up veteran receiver Maurice Mann from Edmonton.