I wouldn’t usually have a take on anything having to do with the CFL, but after reading some of the negative comments and articles written after the Argos beat the Lions, I felt like I had to come to their defence when no one else really wants to. Again, we’re talking about negative comments being made even after a victory. It’s an air of negativity for a team that had such terrible expectations and are shattering them by winning week after week.
I get the sense that the people of Toronto have become so used to the idea of the Argonauts losing that they’re still in the habit of looking for faults instead of looking at positives. I also think that by still dumping on them despite a 3-1 record, they’ve created a nice defence mechanism in the event of the prolonged losing streak that people in Toronto feel is inevitable.
Most people like the idea of playing it safe and being able to tell someone, “I told you so”. So, the safe play is to stick with the experts’ predictions of Toronto being a bottom-feeder and wait for the downfall to occur.
Those people may still be right and the Argonauts might go back to being closer to the team that is near the bottom of the standings, but in the meantime, can someone give them an ounce of credit for having a 3-1 record? Instead, all I keep reading is that the opposition has handed them ball games, the Argos are winning despite Cleo Lemon and the luck is going to run out soon.
Just did a quick search online of different articles about the game last night so I could show you the various ways in which the negativity still flows around the Argos:
The Canadian Press: “ (Byron) Parker’s 41-yard interception return for a touchdown rallied the surprising Argos to a historic but sloppy 24-20 victory...”
National Post: “Toronto took unnecessary penalties, turned the ball over four times and trailed for almost the entire game, but for the second straight week found a way to win.”
Never mind that the Lions had more penalties than the Argos and turned the ball over three times...
The defence came up with two interceptions in the fourth quarter. One of them was returned for a touchdown and the other sealed the deal in the final minute of the game. Also, Cory Boyd ran for over 100 yards in his third straight game. Are we not allowed to give credit to the running back or offensive line for giving a very solid effort? And Cleo Lemon was efficient in his numbers. Nothing spectacular, but of course the world is expected of him because he was in the NFL only a couple of years ago.
I understand that it’s a lot easier for everyone to pile on a losing team instead of sing the praises of a winning one, but when a team is being successful, I’ve always believed that you have to give credit where it’s due. It’s just too bad for the Argos that a lot of people don’t share my philosophy.