Is Chris Jones responsible for Argos success in Week 10?

By Olivia Lawrence
RP Show Intern

The Toronto Argonauts are coming off Week 10 with a win against the Ottawa Redblacks 35-16 on Wednesday. The Argos were the best team on paper heading into this game and showed it through their defensive performance and the stress they put on Ottawa’s rookie quarterback Caleb Evans. Rod Pedersen cannot help but connect the addition of defensive coordinator Chris Jones to the gaping lead the team earned on Oct. 6. 

Rod Pedersen brought on Natey Adjei for Friday’s episode of The Rod Pedersen Show to talk about the game. Adjei was a former CFL player with the Argos and the Edmonton Elks, since his retirement in 2020 you can listen to him on TSN 1050 Radio as a CFL Analyst or on “All Ball” Podcast.

“Chris Jones had a game plan to unsettle that quarterback and to make him kind of see things that weren’t there—to bring pressure, to make them uncomfortable, and they executed,” said Adjei. “They end up scoring in all three phases so there was a complete team effort.”

Some of the Argos top defensive players have been Shaq Richardson, who has made 18 defensive tackles and two interceptions this season. And then there is Chris Edwards who made 7 defensive tackles in Week 10 alone. Sam Acheampong has also been an aggressive player this season, and Shawn Oakman who never played defensive tackle in his career has earned 21 tackles and five sacks this season.

“The [Argos] defense is one of the better defenses in the CFL,” said Adjei. “They’re top in the CFL at stopping the run, so they have good pieces, but I saw a difference in style. They are bringing in more pressure, they’re more aggressive, and they seem to have taken on the identity of their defensive coordinator… I saw a little bit of changes here and there, but Chris Jones definitely has the weapons to make this defense what you’ve seen in the past.”

Even though the defensive performance by the Argos was great, we cannot go without saying: the offense struggled. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie made sure everyone knew it too, telling the media this was the team’s ‘worst offensive performance’ after the game. 

“He was right in doing that,” said Adjei. “I appreciate that because I know as a player, I don’t want a coach telling me one thing behind closed doors and telling the media something else. I want you to keep it 100.”

Winning is the ultimate goal, but recognizing weaknesses within a team is important for games moving forward—especially when the end of a regular season is nearing. The Argos last regular season game is Nov. 16.

“The thing about the Toronto Argonauts though, when they do have embarrassing performances or performances that aren’t up to standard, they always bounce back,” said Adjei. “Three times this year they’ve suffered embarrassing kind of losses, and the next game they come back—even beating the defending champions the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.”

The Argos will look to ‘bounce back’ offensively on Monday (Oct. 11) at Tim Hortons Field when they face their rivals the Hamilton Tiger Cats. The Argos are currently sitting at the top of the East Division with the Tiger Cats trailing behind them. Both of the teams have secured one win against each other this season, so it will be interesting who will come out on top in the third game. Adjei will be making the road trip from his home in Toronto to call the game.