Boatmen boast great stats, but will have work cut out trying to stop Montreal QB Calvillo
Statistically, the Toronto Argonauts defence is one of the best in the Canadian Football League.
Tonight they find out if those statistics mean anything.
They're up against the league's top-rated offence and will have to find a way to stop Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo who, despite some recent problems finishing drives, has completed an incredible 75 per cent of his passes.
On paper, the Argos should be up to the task.
They lead the league in 10 defensive categories, including fewest first downs surrendered, fewest net yards passing allowed, fewest completions given up and most sacks.
While it could be argued that two consecutive games against the offensively impotent Winnipeg Blue Bombers have padded those numbers, the players aren't buying it.
Cornerback Jordan Younger, who was with the Argos two years ago when they had the league's best defence, says it's not fair to compare this unit with past defences because of the difference in systems.
But he believes this one has the potential to rank with the best.
``What I will say is that this defence plays with a higher level of energy," he said in comparison with the 2007 unit. ``We play harder than that defence did.
``Any time you've got 12 guys on the field together and they're all sold on doing the same thing, with that type of effort level we might get the same results as that defence."
Linebacker Willie Pile says the unit is developing an identity as an aggressive, attacking defence.
``We like to be around the ball, Kevin Eiben dropping into coverage and Lin-J (Shell) blitzing," he said. ``Those are things a lot of teams don't do.
``We do it all, because we're pretty versatile. This is probably the deepest we've been since I've been here."
Montreal head coach Marc Trestman expressed respect for the Argo defence, though most football coaches could find a way to praise their opponent even if they were playing the Sisters of the Poor practice squad.
``We feel they're as strong as any defence we've faced," Trestman said.
But the Argo defence's gaudy statistics could take a beating tonight, mainly because stopping Calvillo has been next to impossible this season.
Argos head coach Bart Andrus says containing Calvillo isn't his main focus.
``They're going to get their completions, so regardless ... the thing we want to do is limit what happens on the other end of that pass," he said yesterday.
The Argo offence, on the other hand, will also have to limit the damage it does to itself. Tied with the B.C. Lions for the most giveaways in the first five games (21), the Argos have been working all week to stop handing the ball to their opponents.
Quarterback Kerry Joseph, who has coughed up a league-leading nine interceptions, believes things are about to take a turn for the better.
Statistically, the Toronto Argonauts defence is one of the best in the Canadian Football League.
Tonight they find out if those statistics mean anything.
They're up against the league's top-rated offence and will have to find a way to stop Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo who, despite some recent problems finishing drives, has completed an incredible 75 per cent of his passes.
On paper, the Argos should be up to the task.
They lead the league in 10 defensive categories, including fewest first downs surrendered, fewest net yards passing allowed, fewest completions given up and most sacks.
While it could be argued that two consecutive games against the offensively impotent Winnipeg Blue Bombers have padded those numbers, the players aren't buying it.
Cornerback Jordan Younger, who was with the Argos two years ago when they had the league's best defence, says it's not fair to compare this unit with past defences because of the difference in systems.
But he believes this one has the potential to rank with the best.
``What I will say is that this defence plays with a higher level of energy," he said in comparison with the 2007 unit. ``We play harder than that defence did.
``Any time you've got 12 guys on the field together and they're all sold on doing the same thing, with that type of effort level we might get the same results as that defence."
Linebacker Willie Pile says the unit is developing an identity as an aggressive, attacking defence.
``We like to be around the ball, Kevin Eiben dropping into coverage and Lin-J (Shell) blitzing," he said. ``Those are things a lot of teams don't do.
``We do it all, because we're pretty versatile. This is probably the deepest we've been since I've been here."
Montreal head coach Marc Trestman expressed respect for the Argo defence, though most football coaches could find a way to praise their opponent even if they were playing the Sisters of the Poor practice squad.
``We feel they're as strong as any defence we've faced," Trestman said.
But the Argo defence's gaudy statistics could take a beating tonight, mainly because stopping Calvillo has been next to impossible this season.
Argos head coach Bart Andrus says containing Calvillo isn't his main focus.
``They're going to get their completions, so regardless ... the thing we want to do is limit what happens on the other end of that pass," he said yesterday.
The Argo offence, on the other hand, will also have to limit the damage it does to itself. Tied with the B.C. Lions for the most giveaways in the first five games (21), the Argos have been working all week to stop handing the ball to their opponents.
Quarterback Kerry Joseph, who has coughed up a league-leading nine interceptions, believes things are about to take a turn for the better.
