Around the CFL: Argos taking the hard road to the Grey Cup

By Fred Williams Nov 3, 2006, 15:25 GMT

Toronto, ON - Mike (Pinball) Clemons couldn't be happier that the Toronto Argonauts have to play this weekend.

Honest, he is.

The Argos came into their final two games of the regular season needing just one win to clinch first place in the East Division standings. That would have given Toronto a bye to the conference final, which it would've been hosting.

But the Argos ended up losing both games, including a bitter 24-20 home defeat to Montreal that earned the Alouettes first in the division. Toronto was fortunate to finish second and earn the right to play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the East Division semifinal Sunday afternoon at Rogers Center.

Had the Blue Bombers beat the B.C. Lions last week instead of losing 26-16, they would've finished second and earned the right to host Toronto at Canad Inns Stadium in the chilly Manitoba capital. Instead, the two teams will play indoors at Rogers Center, meaning weather will have no bearing on the outcome of the playoff game.

'The fact is, we maybe have needed another game, since this team is really just starting to come together offensively and special teams wise,' Clemons said. 'We're just really beginning to understand who we are.'

Both teams come into the game with injuries.

Toronto receiver Tony Miles didn't play last week due to a foot injury but is expected to be in the lineup Sunday. Winnipeg quarterback Kevin Glenn suffered a sprained ankle against B.C., while defensive tackle Doug Brown injured his shoulder. Glenn full expects to play in the playoff game but Brown will be a game time decision.

AWARD NOMINEES: Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Charles Roberts and B.C. Lions receiver Geroy Simon were named the finalists for the CFL's most outstanding player award this week.

Roberts led the CFL in rushing for the second straight year with 1,609 yards while Simon was the league's top receiver with 105 catches for 1,856 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Defensive end Brent Johnson of the B.C. Lions was the only double nominee. The CFL sacks leader was the West Division's representative as outstanding Canadian as well as top defensive player. The Winnipeg tandem of defensive tackle Doug Brown and linebacker Barrin Simpson were the East nominees for top Canadian and defensive player, respectively.

The other award nominees were B.C.'s Rob Murphy and Montreal's Scott Flory (top offensive lineman); B.C. defensive lineman Aaron Hunt and Montreal defensive back Etienne Boulay (top rookie); and Calgary kicker Sandro DeAngelis and Toronto kicker-punter Noel Personating (top special teams player).

The winners will be announced at the league's awards banquet November 16 in Winnipeg.

WILLIAMS FACTOR: Win or lose, Sunday's game will be the last time for Toronto Argonauts fans to see running back Ricky Williams in double blue.

Toronto's playoff game versus the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be Williams' final home game of the season. If the Argos win, they will travel to Montreal for the East Division championship game.

This has been an uneventful season for Williams, who joined the Argos after being suspended for the entire 2006 season by the NFL for another violation of the league's substance abuse policy. A former NFL rushing champion, Williams ran for just 526 yards with Toronto this season. However, he did average 4.8 yards per carry.

Part of the problem was Williams missed eight weeks recovering from a broken forearm as well as a nasty cut on his Achilles tendon after a metal door slammed on his foot. But even when he was healthy to play, the Argos never really used Williams enough as he had just 109 total carries.

Also, Toronto compiled a 5-6 record with Williams in the lineup while going 5-2 without him.

Williams will undoubtedly be back with the Miami Dolphins next season, that is, after applying to the NFL for reinstatement during the off season.

ESKIMOS CHANGES: The Edmonton Eskimos have quelled speculation regarding the future of head coach Danny Maciocia.

Maciocia's future in Edmonton was speculated to be cloudy, at best, after the club missed the CFL playoffs for the first time in 35 years. But this week, the Eskimos made Maciocia their director of football operations in addition to his coaching duties.

The move comes less than two weeks after Hugh Campbell announced his retirement as the Eskimos chief operating officer and general manager. President Rick LeLacheur added the COO duties to his job description.

© 2006 The Sports Network