2008 Toronto Argonauts season
Encyclopedia
The 2008
Toronto Argonauts
season was the 51st season for the team in the Canadian Football League
and 136th season overall. The Argonauts attempted to win their 16th Grey Cup, but they failed to make the playoffs ending the season on a nine game losing streak.
, 48 players were chosen from among 752 eligible players from Canadian Universities across the country, as well as Canadian players playing in the NCAA. The first two rounds were broadcast on TSN.ca with host Rod Black
.
A raucous Labour Day crowd of 25,911 at Ivor Wynne Stadium witnessed a game that ended with a 34–31 Argo victory, the team's first win against the Ti-cats of the season. Argo head coach Rich Stubler's job was rumoured to be on the line. Argos receiver Arland Bruce III found time for a little theatrics, celebrating an 11-yard TD catch by donning a Spiderman mask produced from his pants.
Several days later, the Canadian Football League fined the Argonauts receiver an undisclosed amount for his touchdown celebration against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats by donning a Spider-Man mask. Game officials had handed Bruce an objectionable conduct penalty after the incident. Bruce went on to have his best game of the season, catching 10 passes for a game-high 149 yards.
On September 9, Rich Stubler
was released as head coach of the Argonauts after posting a 4–6 record. There was the belief he couldn't get along with those he worked with. The Argos hired Don Matthews
, the head coach with the most wins in CFL history and head coach during Toronto's back-to-back Grey Cup victories in 1996
and 1997
, to return to the club as head coach for the third time in his coaching career.
During the teams next game on September 12 at Rogers Centre
, Winnipeg Blue Bombers slotback Milt Stegall became the most prolific receiver in the history of the CFL. The slotback caught a 92-yard pass at 9:02 in the second quarter to raise his career total to 14,983, breaking the mark of 14,891 yards previously held by former Stampeders receiver Allen Pitts. Stegall took a pass from Kevin Glenn and scored a touchdown, his second of the game. It put the Bombers ahead 28–3.
On October 31, Don Matthews resigned from the Argonauts a day after the conclusion of the Argonauts 2008 regular season
, which saw the Argos fail to win a game in the eight games under his leadership and finishing out of the playoffs for the first time since the 2001 CFL season
.
, who finished fourth in the West
, had a better record of 10 and 8, and under the cross-over rule eliminated Toronto from the playoffs and play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
in the East semi-final.
2008 CFL season
The 2008 CFL season was the 55th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it was the 51st season for the league. It was also the first CFL season in which all of the league's regular season and post-season games, including the Grey Cup game, were aired on TSN. This meant the CFL...
Toronto Argonauts
Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
season was the 51st season for the team in the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
and 136th season overall. The Argonauts attempted to win their 16th Grey Cup, but they failed to make the playoffs ending the season on a nine game losing streak.
CFL Draft
In the 2008 CFL Draft2008 CFL Draft
The 2008 CFL Draft took place on April 30, 2008. 48 players were chosen from among 752 eligible players from Canadian Universities across the country, as well as Canadian players playing in the NCAA....
, 48 players were chosen from among 752 eligible players from Canadian Universities across the country, as well as Canadian players playing in the NCAA. The first two rounds were broadcast on TSN.ca with host Rod Black
Rod Black
Rod Black is a Canadian sports announcer for TSN and CTV Sports. He calls games for the CFL, occasionally for the The NHL on TSN, and used to call games for the Toronto Blue Jays, ending in 2009. He also calls Canadian golf tournaments for the PGA, on occasion bowling tournaments, curling, boxing ...
.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | School/Club Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 13 | Mike Bradwell Mike Bradwell Mike Bradwell is a Canadian football wide receiver for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted in the second round of the 2008 CFL Draft by the Toronto Argonauts... |
WR | McMaster McMaster University McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens... |
| 3 | 21 | Jean-Nicolas Carriere Jean-Nicolas Carrière Jean-Nicolas Carrière is a Canadian football linebacker in the Canadian Football League who is currently a free agent... |
LB | McGill McGill University Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university... |
| 4 | 29 | Delroy Clarke Delroy Clarke Delroy Clarke is a Canadian football cornerback for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2008 CFL Draft by the Argonauts... |
DB | Ottawa University of Ottawa The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate... |
| 5 | 37 | Richard Zulys Richard Zulys Richard Zulys is a Canadian football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted in the fifth round with the 37th overall pick in the 2008 CFL Draft by the Toronto Argonauts. He played CIS Football at Western Ontario University.- External links :*... |
OL | Western University of Western Ontario The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and... |
| 6 | 42 (via Edmonton) | Mark Dewit Mark Dewit Mark Dewit is a professional Canadian football centre in the Canadian Football League who is currently a member of the Hamilton Tigercats.-Early life:... |
OL | Calgary University of Calgary The University of Calgary is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1966 the U of C is composed of 14 faculties and more than 85 research institutes and centres.More than 25,000 undergraduate and 5,500 graduate students are currently... |
| 6 | 44 (via Montreal) | Tyler Scott Tyler Scott Tyler Scott is a wide receiver in the Canadian Football League for the Edmonton Eskimos. He attended the University of Western Ontario as a geography major and intends to pursue teaching... |
REC | Western |
| 6 | 45 | Matt Black | DB | Saginaw Valley Saginaw Valley State University Saginaw Valley State University, commonly known as SVSU, is a state university in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in the middle of Michigan's lower peninsula in the Saginaw Valley region. The university is located in Kochville Township, Saginaw County... |
Notable transactions
| Date | Type | Incoming | Outgoing | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 5, 2008 | Trade |
|
Glenn January Glenn Arwin January, Jr. is a professional Canadian football offensive tackle currently playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.- Early years :... , Offensive Tackle  Ronald Flemons Ronald L. Flemons is a Canadian Football League defensive lineman for the Toronto Argonauts. He attended John Marshall High School and Texas A&M University... , Defensive Lineman |
Saskatchewan Roughriders Saskatchewan Roughriders The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor... |
- The Toronto Argonauts signed former National Football League receiver/kick-returner Bethel JohnsonBethel JohnsonBethel Johnson is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas A&M....
on May 26. Johnson is a two-time Super BowlSuper BowlThe Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
champion, who posted a league-best 28.2-yard kickoff return average as a rookie in 2003 with the New England Patriots. Johnson signed with the Argos on Monday, May 26.
- Damon Allen, 44, announced his retirement from the CFL on May 28. Allen had maintained during the offseason that he intended to attend training camp and compete for the starter's job. Allen would have gone into camp third on the depth chart behind newly acquired Kerry Joseph and veteran Michael Bishop, both of whom signed new deals with the Argos in the off-season.
- Allen retires as pro football's career passing leader with 72,381 yards. He played on four Grey Cup-winning teams and in 2005, he captured the league's outstanding player award.
- June 5, 2008: The Argos acquired running back Jamal Robertson from the Saskatchewan Roughriders for Canadian cornerback Leron Mitchell. He was a former University of Western Ontario Mustangs star who this off-season had a workout with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.
Pre-season roster
As of June 10, 2008| Toronto Argonauts roster | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterbacks Running Backs RB/KR Receivers SB WR WR WR WR R/TE WR TE SB WR SB SB SB WR |
Offensive Linemen C OT OG OT OT OT OG OG OT Defensive Linemen DE DT DT DL/LB DE DE |
Linebackers ILB ILB OLB OLB OLB OLB ILB OLB ILB ILB ILB Defensive Backs DB S CB S DB DB CB CB S DB DB CB DB CB Special teams K/P LS/LB K/P |
Injured Reserve  Suspended list OL DT WR Practice Roster ---- Italics indicates Import player Roster updated 2008-06-10 Depth Chart • Transactions 69 Active, 3 Inactive |
|||
End of season roster
| Toronto Argonauts roster | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterbacks Running Backs FB RB RB FB FB Receivers SB/KR/PR WR WR/QB SB SB SB |
Offensive Linemen T C C G T G G T T Defensive Linemen DT DE DT DT DT DE DE DE |
Linebackers OLB ILB LB OLB ILB OLB OLB ILB Defensive Backs CB S DB DB DB CB CB DB DB DB S Special Teams K/P LS |
Practice Roster WR S RB T ---- Italics indicates Import player Roster updated 2008-10-31 Depth Chart • Transactions 55 Active, 4 PR |
|||
Preseason
| Week | Date | Opponent | Location | Final Score | Attendance | Record |
| A | June 12 | @ Alouettes Montreal Alouettes The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions... |
Molson Stadium Molson Stadium Percival Molson Memorial Stadium is an outdoor football stadium located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada... |
T 34 – 34 | 20,202 | 0–0–1 |
| B | June 19 | Tiger-Cats Hamilton Tiger-Cats The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium... |
Rogers Centre Rogers Centre Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League... |
L 28 – 21 | 21,422 | 0–1–1 |
Regular season
| Week | Date | Opponent | Location | Final Score | Attendance | Record |
| 1 | June 27 | @ Blue Bombers Winnipeg Blue Bombers The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded... |
Canad Inns Stadium Canad Inns Stadium Canad Inns Stadium is a Canadian football stadium located north of Polo Park Shopping Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Stadium, named for hotel chain Canad Inns, and originally completed in 1953, seats 29,533 for football... |
W 23 – 16 | 26,155 | 1–0 |
| 2 | July 3 | Tiger-Cats Hamilton Tiger-Cats The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium... |
Rogers Centre Rogers Centre Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League... |
L 32 – 13 | 30,822 | 1–1 |
| 3 | July 10 | @ Eskimos Edmonton Eskimos The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895... |
Commonwealth Stadium Commonwealth Stadium (Edmonton) Commonwealth Stadium is a sports stadium located in the Norwood Area of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, primarily used by the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. The stadium is owned and operated by the City of Edmonton.- History :... |
L 47 – 28 | 31,707 | 1–2 |
| 4 | July 20 | Eskimos Edmonton Eskimos The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895... |
Rogers Centre Rogers Centre Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League... |
W 35 – 31 | 28,522 | 2–2 |
| 5 | July 27 | @ Roughriders Saskatchewan Roughriders The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor... |
Mosaic Stadium Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field is a sports stadium located in Regina, Saskatchewan which is used primarily to play Canadian football. It has been the home of the Canadian Football League's Saskatchewan Roughriders in rudimentary form since 1910 and as a complete stadium since 1936... |
L 28 – 22 | 28,800 | 2–3 |
| 6 | August 1 | Blue Bombers Winnipeg Blue Bombers The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded... |
Rogers Centre Rogers Centre Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League... |
W 19 – 11 | 28,523 | 3–3 |
| 7 | August 7 | @ Tiger-Cats Hamilton Tiger-Cats The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium... |
Ivor Wynne Stadium Ivor Wynne Stadium Ivor Wynne Stadium is a Canadian football stadium located at the corner of Balsam and Beechwood Avenues, two blocks west of Gage Avenue North in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada... |
L 45 – 21 | 19,423 | 3–4 |
| 8 | August 15 | Alouettes Montreal Alouettes The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions... |
Rogers Centre Rogers Centre Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League... |
L 32 – 14 | 30,521 | 3–5 |
| 9 | Bye | |||||
| 10 | September 1 | @ Tiger-Cats Hamilton Tiger-Cats The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium... |
Ivor Wynne Stadium Ivor Wynne Stadium Ivor Wynne Stadium is a Canadian football stadium located at the corner of Balsam and Beechwood Avenues, two blocks west of Gage Avenue North in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada... |
W 34 – 31 | 25,911 | 4–5 |
| 11 | September 7 | @ Alouettes Montreal Alouettes The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions... |
Molson Stadium Molson Stadium Percival Molson Memorial Stadium is an outdoor football stadium located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada... |
L 45 – 19 | 20,202 | 4–6 |
| 12 | September 12 | Blue Bombers Winnipeg Blue Bombers The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded... |
Rogers Centre Rogers Centre Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League... |
L 39 – 9 | 28,453 | 4–7 |
| 13 | September 20 | @ Stampeders Calgary Stampeders The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium... |
McMahon Stadium McMahon Stadium McMahon Stadium is a Canadian football stadium located in Calgary, Alberta. The stadium is owned by the University of Calgary and operated by the McMahon Stadium Society.... |
L 34 – 4 | 33,135 | 4–8 |
| 14 | September 27 | Stampeders Calgary Stampeders The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium... |
Rogers Centre Rogers Centre Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League... |
L 44 – 16 | 28,672 | 4–9 |
| 15 | October 3 | Lions BC Lions The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954... |
Rogers Centre Rogers Centre Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League... |
L 24 – 20 | 28,273 | 4–10 |
| 16 | October 10 | @ Blue Bombers Winnipeg Blue Bombers The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded... |
Canad Inns Stadium Canad Inns Stadium Canad Inns Stadium is a Canadian football stadium located north of Polo Park Shopping Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Stadium, named for hotel chain Canad Inns, and originally completed in 1953, seats 29,533 for football... |
L 25 – 16 | 27,268 | 4–11 |
| 17 | October 18 | Alouettes Montreal Alouettes The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions... |
Rogers Centre Rogers Centre Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League... |
L 43 – 34 | 30,262 | 4–12 |
| 18 | October 25 | @ Lions BC Lions The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954... |
BC Place Stadium BC Place Stadium BC Place is a multi-purpose stadium located at the north side of False Creek, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It serves as the home field for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer . Originally opened on June 19, 1983 as the... |
L 55 – 32 | 35,994 | 4–13 |
| 19 | October 30 | Roughriders Saskatchewan Roughriders The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor... |
Rogers Centre Rogers Centre Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League... |
L 45 – 38 | 28,654 | 4–14 |
Regular season
Toronto started the season off well, winning against the Blue Bombers 23–16, but after that they compiled a 2–5 record the next 7 games. After the Bye week, everything went downhill, they won only one game and lost 9 start to finsh the season 4–14 and missed the playoffs.A raucous Labour Day crowd of 25,911 at Ivor Wynne Stadium witnessed a game that ended with a 34–31 Argo victory, the team's first win against the Ti-cats of the season. Argo head coach Rich Stubler's job was rumoured to be on the line. Argos receiver Arland Bruce III found time for a little theatrics, celebrating an 11-yard TD catch by donning a Spiderman mask produced from his pants.
Several days later, the Canadian Football League fined the Argonauts receiver an undisclosed amount for his touchdown celebration against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats by donning a Spider-Man mask. Game officials had handed Bruce an objectionable conduct penalty after the incident. Bruce went on to have his best game of the season, catching 10 passes for a game-high 149 yards.
On September 9, Rich Stubler
Rich Stubler
Richard Stubler is the defensive coordinator for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League.After graduating from the University of Northern Colorado, Stubler began his coaching career in 1971 at Roaring Fork High School in Carbondale, Colorado...
was released as head coach of the Argonauts after posting a 4–6 record. There was the belief he couldn't get along with those he worked with. The Argos hired Don Matthews
Don Matthews
Don Matthews, a.k.a. "The Don", is a former head coach of several teams in the Canadian Football League and is the second winningest head coach in CFL history with 231 wins...
, the head coach with the most wins in CFL history and head coach during Toronto's back-to-back Grey Cup victories in 1996
1996 CFL season
The 1996 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 43rd season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 39th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1996:...
and 1997
1997 CFL season
The 1997 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 44th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 40th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1997:...
, to return to the club as head coach for the third time in his coaching career.
During the teams next game on September 12 at Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League...
, Winnipeg Blue Bombers slotback Milt Stegall became the most prolific receiver in the history of the CFL. The slotback caught a 92-yard pass at 9:02 in the second quarter to raise his career total to 14,983, breaking the mark of 14,891 yards previously held by former Stampeders receiver Allen Pitts. Stegall took a pass from Kevin Glenn and scored a touchdown, his second of the game. It put the Bombers ahead 28–3.
On October 31, Don Matthews resigned from the Argonauts a day after the conclusion of the Argonauts 2008 regular season
2008 CFL season
The 2008 CFL season was the 55th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it was the 51st season for the league. It was also the first CFL season in which all of the league's regular season and post-season games, including the Grey Cup game, were aired on TSN. This meant the CFL...
, which saw the Argos fail to win a game in the eight games under his leadership and finishing out of the playoffs for the first time since the 2001 CFL season
2001 CFL season
The 2001 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 48th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 44th Canadian Football League season.-CFL news in 2001:...
.
Passing
| Player | Att | Comp | % | Yards | TD | INT | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kerry Joseph | 536 | 307 | 57.3 | 4174 | 17 | 14 | 82.0 |
| Cody Pickett | 104 | 63 | 60.6 | 610 | 1 | 2 | 72.2 |
| Reggie McNeal | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.1 |
Rushing
| Player | Att | Yards | Avg, | TD | Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamal Robertson | 117 | 645 | 5.5 | 6 | 2 |
| Kerry Joseph | 78 | 493 | 6.3 | 4 | 7 |
| Dominique Dorsey | 64 | 41 0 | 6.4 | 2 | 2 |
| Jeff Johnson | 8 | 31 | 3.9 | 1 | 0 |
Receiving
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arland Bruce | 92 | 1210 | 9 |
| Andre Talbot Andre Talbot Andre Talbot is a retired professional wide receiver and slotback who played gridiron football in the Canadian Football League... |
76 | 915 | 4 |
| Reggie McNeal Reggie McNeal Reginald Parrish McNeal is a quarterback and wide receiver in the Canadian Football League with the Edmonton Eskimos. He played college football at Texas A&M University.-High school career:... |
43 | 606 | 2 |
| P. K. Sam P. K. Sam Philip Kenwood "P. K." Sam, II is a professional gridiron football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft... |
36 | 499 | 3 |
| James Robinson | 25 | 381 | 1 |
| Tyler Scott Tyler Scott Tyler Scott is a wide receiver in the Canadian Football League for the Edmonton Eskimos. He attended the University of Western Ontario as a geography major and intends to pursue teaching... |
19 | 309 | 0 |
| Dominique Dorsey Dominique Dorsey Dominique Ramone Dorsey is a professional American and Canadian football running back and kick returner who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was originally signed by the Roughriders as an undrafted free agent in... |
15 | 286 | 0 |
Postseason
The Argos finished third in the East Division with a record of 4 wins and 14 losses. The Edmonton EskimosEdmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
, who finished fourth in the West
Canadian Football League West Division
The West Division is one of the two regional divisions of the Canadian Football League. Although the CFL was not founded until 1958, the West Division and its clubs are descended from earlier leagues.-Pre-1936:...
, had a better record of 10 and 8, and under the cross-over rule eliminated Toronto from the playoffs and play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
in the East semi-final.
Awards and records
- Arland Bruce, Eastern Division All-Star, Offence
- Jonathan Brown, CFL Eastern All-Star, Defence
- Dominique DorseyDominique DorseyDominique Ramone Dorsey is a professional American and Canadian football running back and kick returner who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was originally signed by the Roughriders as an undrafted free agent in...
, CFL Eastern All-Star, Special Teams - John Agro Special Teams AwardJohn Agro Special Teams AwardThe John Agro Special Teams Award is awarded to the CFL's Most Outstanding Special Teams player that is voted by his peers .-John Agro Special Teams Award winners:*2011 - Paul McCallum , BC Lions...
– Dominique DorseyDominique DorseyDominique Ramone Dorsey is a professional American and Canadian football running back and kick returner who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was originally signed by the Roughriders as an undrafted free agent in...
(RB), Toronto Argonauts - Kenny WheatonKenny WheatonKenneth Tyron "Kenny" Wheaton is a defensive back who most recently played for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.-Personal life:Wheaton attended McClintock High School in Tempe, Arizona...
, CFL Eastern All-Star, Defence