Argos earn home-field advantage in Moncton
When is a home game not a home game in the Canadian Football League? When you're the Toronto Argonauts and the 2010 CFL schedule says Edmonton at Toronto, but the game is played in Moncton.
The Argos are billed as the home team versus the Eskimos for the Scotiabank Touchdown Atlantic match-up Sept. 26 and so far are pulling out all the stops trying to convince Monctonians to provide them the much treasured home field advantage.
Let's see, so far they have sent us their huge kick-a-field-goal and complete-a-pass inflatable that was a big hit outside City Hall on Canada Day. Youngsters were lined up all the way to the deer fountain waiting for a chance to split the uprights.
Next it was two Argonauts Étienne Légaré and Andre Durie participating in the Sackville Minor Football spring camp teaching young footballers the finer points of blocking and tackling.
According to the league's website, "The Sackville Minor Football family will be cheering for the Argos on September 26" and we all know how much noise 8-15 year-olds can make. Advantage Argonauts.
But it's not just about football with the Argos. They took out an ad congratulating the Wildcats on their Q-League championship. Players have spoken in local high schools on issues like bullying and the importance of staying in school.
Former legendary Argonaut running back Michael (Pinball) Clemons will be in Moncton firing up, as only Pinball can, students at McNaughton high school the morning of Sept. 13. At the CFL Atlantic Alumni Association Golf Classic Sept. 23, golfers will get to dress up in an Argo uniform and have their picture taken with a cheerleader - get there early and bring a camera.
With five wins and three losses, the Argos have even managed to win more games leading up to "our game" than they did in their last two seasons combined!
So, what about the Eskimos? They sent offensive lineman Patrick Kabongo here for a few photo ops with Argonaut defensive lineman Adriano Belli back when there was still snow on the ground at Stade Moncton 2010 Stadium. Haven't seen an Eskimo in these parts since. As for their record, Edmonton is off to their worst start in 45 years managing just one win in seven. They fired their general manager in July immediately after the team recorded that one victory. Huh?
That improved little so after a 56-15 drubbing to provincial rival Calgary two weeks ago, they fired their offensive line coach. And it gets worse. Edmonton linebacker coach and legend Dan Kepley, owner of eight Eskimo Grey Cup rings resigns without explanation or communication with his players a week ago.
The schedule makers finally smiled on the green and gold giving them last weekend off - they didn't play anyone so at least there wasn't another loss. Too harsh? Sorry, I played for Toronto.
Back to the road trip. Both the Argos and the Eskimos play the Sunday before heading east for Touchdown Atlantic. The Argos host Winnipeg while Edmonton begins their eastern swing in Montreal.
If I'm Edmonton head coach Richie Hall - assuming he's still there - I want to get my players out of Montreal as soon as possible because the city has as CFL coaches like to say, "too many distractions."
That means too many clubs frequented by too many good looking women. Not that Moncton doesn't have good looking women, we do, just not as many.
The Eskimos arrive Monday. The Argonauts will likely take Monday as a day off before catching up with their prey on Tuesday. And while many players will check out the Hopewell Rocks, visit schools and sign autographs at minor games, it's when the sun goes down and the distractions come out that players from both teams will be looking to win over home-field advantage.
* Jan Carinci played 10 seasons in the CFL and was a member of the 1983 Grey Cup Champion Toronto Argonauts. Jan and his family have called Moncton home since 2001.
