With either the Argonauts or the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (or sometimes both) bringing up the rear of the Canadian Football League standings for the past several seasons, few can remember a time when a game between the two clubs at this point in August had the potential to be significant.
?It?s an age-old rivalry, so games against the Ticats are like playoff games every time, even if both teams have been out of the playoffs,? Argos running back Jeff Johnson said. ?These are huge games.?
The Argos (5-2) play host to the Ticats (3-4) on Friday night at the Rogers Centre.
Once the East Division teams have completed their bye week, the two clubs will hook up in Hamilton on Sept. 6 for the annual Labour Day Classic.
Work to do
?They are hearing Argos this and Argos that, and the bottom line is this team has not done anything,? Argos head coach Jim Barker said. ?We have played seven games, and we?re making progress. This is about (whether) we can do this, week in and week out.
?This is going to be a great game. We have a team down there (in Hamilton) that is coming off a great year and has high hopes, and they are a good football team.?
The Argos, meanwhile, will be without cornerback Willie Middlebrooks (groin), who had been day to day. Josh Abrams or Michael Grant will take Middlebrooks? spot. Barker is keeping his fingers crossed that Middlebrooks and defensive tackle Adriano Belli (foot), who has missed the past two games, will play in the Labour Day Classic in Hamilton.
?It?s an age-old rivalry, so games against the Ticats are like playoff games every time, even if both teams have been out of the playoffs,? Argos running back Jeff Johnson said. ?These are huge games.?
The Argos (5-2) play host to the Ticats (3-4) on Friday night at the Rogers Centre.
Once the East Division teams have completed their bye week, the two clubs will hook up in Hamilton on Sept. 6 for the annual Labour Day Classic.
Work to do
?They are hearing Argos this and Argos that, and the bottom line is this team has not done anything,? Argos head coach Jim Barker said. ?We have played seven games, and we?re making progress. This is about (whether) we can do this, week in and week out.
?This is going to be a great game. We have a team down there (in Hamilton) that is coming off a great year and has high hopes, and they are a good football team.?
The Argos, meanwhile, will be without cornerback Willie Middlebrooks (groin), who had been day to day. Josh Abrams or Michael Grant will take Middlebrooks? spot. Barker is keeping his fingers crossed that Middlebrooks and defensive tackle Adriano Belli (foot), who has missed the past two games, will play in the Labour Day Classic in Hamilton.