ATS: <\/strong>9-9<\/p>\n Barker changed the team culture and provided the city of Toronto with one of the more charismatic football personalities it had seen in years.<\/p>\n
This season, Barker will also wear the general manager\u2019s hat, as the team chose to let Adam Rita walk. Can the Argos continue their ascension in the East Division? Anthony Calvillo will return to Montreal and the Hamilton Ti-Cats look vastly improved but the Als lost some major personnel in the offseason and Toronto did knock Hamilton out of the playoffs last year.<\/p>\n
The Argos didn\u2019t lose too much in the offseason. Defensive tackle Eric Taylor left for B.C. and Adriano Belli retired but the rest of the defense remains largely intact. The Argos were a bend-but-don\u2019t-break unit last year, ranking fourth in total D, fourth against the run and sixth against the pass but allowing the fewest points per game in the league.<\/p>\n
Offense is where Toronto needs to make the biggest gains. The Argos were last in total offense, last in passing offense and last in points per game a year ago. Can they improve?<\/p>\n
It appears the Argos\u2019 ground game is in good hands with Cory Boyd emerging as the bellcow guy last season. Despite missing two games due to a concussion during his rookie campaign, he finished second in the CFL with 1,359 rushing yards. That said, we can\u2019t ignore the two games missed. Boyd took a major pounding even in his first season and concussions are always tricky. The Argos can only hope his body holds up, as he was by most accounts their best player in 2010.<\/p>\n
What about Toronto\u2019s passing game? It\u2019s very tough to predict how it will fare in 2011. Cleo Lemon got the starting quarterback reins last season but really struggled, throwing 19 interceptions compared to 15 touchdown passes. [ad-4437448]<\/p>\n
The Argos wisely brought in some competition for Lemon this offseason. Steven Jyles, acquired from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, hopes to win the job. He started 10 games for the Bombers last season. He flashed some major ability, throwing for 19 scores versus just seven interceptions and rushing for 452 yards and four scores. <\/p>\n
Talent isn\u2019t the problem for Jyles; it\u2019s health. He suffered a season-ending injury to his throwing shoulder last season and reportedly hasn\u2019t really pushed it with hard throws in the offseason. Considering that Lemon also had surgery to repair torn ligaments in his hands, the Argos\u2019 quarterbacking situation looks muddy.<\/p>\n
Argonauts 2011 Outlook<\/h3>\n
Toronto has plenty of talent on its roster and its defense should be decent enough. However, I see 2011 as a season of stunted growth. The offense is a house of cards. Boyd, Lemon and Jyles, two of which will be the offensive centerpieces, are major injury risks. I thus can\u2019t justify picking the Argos over Hamilton or Montreal in the East. Flirting with .500 again and snagging the last playoff berth seems more realistic than a contending season.<\/p>\n
Argonauts 2011 Futures<\/strong>
\nGrey Cup odds: +1200
\nEastern Division odds: +700<\/p>\nArgonauts 2011 Predictions<\/h3>\n
East Division: 3rd<\/sup>
\nOver\/Under Season Wins prediction: UNDER 9.5 wins<\/p>\n