Latest news with #McManis
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Argos can clinch season series versus Redblacks with home win Saturday
TORONTO – Ryan Dinwiddie isn't overthinking it. The Toronto Argonauts (2-6) host the Ottawa Redblacks (2-6) on Saturday afternoon. The winner not only takes sole possession of third in the East Division but also remains within striking distance of Hamilton (6-3) and Montreal (5-3). Toronto can sweep the two-game season series with a victory but also still clinch it with a loss by 12 or fewer points. However Dinwiddie couldn't care less about all of those permutations. 'We need to get a win,' the Argos head coach said. 'I think everybody understands it's a big game to separate ourselves from them … but we're kind of focusing on us and what we need to do to get a win. 'I've told our guys they can't play too tight. If you put too much onus on it, that's what you don't play your best.' Wins have been hard to come by this season for both Toronto and Ottawa. The Argos are 1-3 at home and 1-3 within the East Division, that lone victory being a 29-16 decision over the Redblacks at TD Place on June 29. Ottawa is 1-3 on the road and 0-4 versus division opponents. 'Let's get the win,' veteran linebacker Wynton McManis said. 'However it all plays out at the end of the year is going to be determined by how many wins we get.' McManis (knee) didn't play in Toronto's win over Ottawa. However, Andrew Chatfield Jr., did and the former Redblacks defensive lineman registered eight tackles and two sacks. Chatfield (knee) has a CFL-high six sacks but is a game-time decision Saturday. The Argos had five sacks overall and three forced turnovers in that contest. Linebacker Cam Judge registered a game-high nine tackles and one sack while Isaac Darkangelo had eight tackles and a sack. Toronto faces Ottawa starter Dru Brown for the first time this season. He was out with a hip injury in the first meeting as Dustin Crum completed 20-of-30 passes for 235 yards and an interception while rushing for a game-high 60 yards and a touchdown. Brown threw for 235 yards and two TDs to lead Ottawa past Calgary 31-11 last week. Receiver Eugene Lewis had five receptions for 110 yards, his 20th career 100-yard receiving game. McManis said pressuring Brown is key for Toronto's defence. 'Move him around a lot, kind of make him uncomfortable and get him out of the pocket,' McManis said. 'I know he's a really mobile quarterback but we've just got to make sure we tackle well and make him have to dump the ball off short. 'Don't let him get a lot of those deep throws. Make them work for it, make them go 150 yards downfield.' Toronto starter Nick Arbuckle entered action this week second in the CFL in passing yards (2,334) and TDs (13) while Damonte Coxie led the league in receiving yards (774). Coxie had career highs in catches (nine) and receiving yards (187) with two touchdowns in last week's 40-31 road loss to Winnipeg. Toronto ran for just eight yards on five attempts against Winnipeg and boasts the CFL's worst ground game (50.5 yards per game). The Argos have also allowed a league-high 23 sacks. Ottawa's defence has just 10 sacks but has forced a CFL-leading nine fumbles and 18 tackles for a loss (second overall). 'Their front seven is real good,' Dinwiddie said. 'Carter (defensive end Bryce Carter) has always been a good player but he's playing really good football now and Mauldin (defensive end Lorenzo Mauldin IV) on the other side is no slouch. 'Their linebackers are also pretty good … so we've got to find ways to run against that front, protect the quarterback and make guys miss in space.' Special-teams coverage has also been an issue for Toronto, which has surrendered a CFL-worst four return TDs. Last week, Winnipeg's Trey Vaval had punt- and kickoff-return touchdowns. 'Four (return TDs allowed) in eight games is a lot,' Dinwiddie said. 'Normally if you get a return touchdown, it's like 90 per cent of the time you win those games. 'They're big momentum builders.' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Toronto is 19-6 versus Ottawa since it entered the league in 2014. Before the game, Toronto will add Chris Schultz and Nick Volpe to its all-time list. Schultz spent nine seasons on Toronto's offensive line (1986-94) before embarking on a successful radio and TV broadcasting career. Volpe played for the Argos (199-52) then returned in '88 to work in several capacities, including the head of Canadian scouting, and was part of seven Grey Cup championships, having never lost a CFL title game with the franchise. Both Schultz (age 61) and Volpe (age 95) died in 2021. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 8, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Argonauts' injury bug continues. Now they've lost a star player after he was hit by a car
The Toronto Argonauts just can't seem to catch a break this season on the injury front. As a couple of much-needed reinforcements are returning for the struggling defending Grey Cup champions, another key member is going to miss extended time. Reigning CFL top lineman Ryan Hunter suffered a serious shoulder injury this week when he was hit by a car while riding a scooter in Toronto. A team official confirmed Hunter is expected to be out at least six to eight weeks. The 30-year-old North Bay, Ont., native had been one of the most durable players on a banged-up Argos team, appearing in all five games this season. His untimely injury comes as the Argos await the return of quarterback Chad Kelly , who suffered a broken leg in last year's East final and has already been ruled out for Thursday's road game against the Montreal Alouettes (3-2). Nevertheless, the Argos will welcome back two key players who had been sidelined with injuries as they try and dig themselves out of a 1-4 hole following a bye week. All-star linebacker Wynton McManis and running back Deonta McMahon have been cleared to return to action after missing several weeks. McManis, 30, suffered a right-knee injury during the team's first home game of the season against the Calgary Stampeders . McMahon, 25, sprained his ankle in the same game. Their return is a breath of fresh air for an Argos team still struggling to find its footing. 'Wynton is the leader of that defence and he gets those guys lined up, communicates the calls,' head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said after Tuesday's practice. 'Getting him back I think is going to elevate the play of the other guys. We know who Wynton is, he always makes plays, he's got a knack for finding the football and we need that this week.' The Argos have especially suffered in the running game this season, averaging a league-worst 46.2 rushing yards per game after Week 6, with a total of 231 rushing yards in five games. The return of McMahon should help. 'D-Money (McMahon) gives us that explosiveness, the shiftiness. We need him at the back for catching the ball and we haven't had that for a few weeks,' Dinwiddie said. The head coach expects his team, fresh off a week of rest, to cut down on its turnovers and take care of the football on both sides of the field while winning the special-teams matchup against Montreal — a team that already beat Toronto in the season opener . 'The penalties have been killing us. When we play clean football, play physical, execute, I think we should have a great day,' he said. McManis said it was tough to be on the sidelines watching the team struggle and not being able to help on the field. That said, it was also important to let others lead, 'get their feet wet and kind of see what we got' in his absence. Now healthy, McManis is looking forward to being able to 'fly around, make some plays' and ultimately help his team get some wins. Staying upbeat, despite their record, is also important. 'I think the culture around here that we have to keep everybody's spirits up,' he said. 'No one around here feels like a loser, no one around here has a loser mentality. None of us feel like (we're a 1-4 team). We just know we've got to have some urgency and detail in getting the job done, just trying to be right.'
Toronto Star
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
McManis, Argos look to get back on the winning track at home versus Stampeders
TORONTO - There's no place like home for Wynton McManis and the Toronto Argonauts. Toronto (0-1) hosts the Calgary Stampeders (1-0) on Saturday afternoon in its home opener. After the Argos began their Grey Cup title defence with a 28-10 road loss in Montreal last week, McManis welcomes the return to BMO Field, where the club is 16-2 the last two seasons.
Hamilton Spectator
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
McManis, Argos look to get back on the winning track at home versus Stampeders
TORONTO - There's no place like home for Wynton McManis and the Toronto Argonauts. Toronto (0-1) hosts the Calgary Stampeders (1-0) on Saturday afternoon in its home opener. After the Argos began their Grey Cup title defence with a 28-10 road loss in Montreal last week, McManis welcomes the return to BMO Field, where the club is 16-2 the last two seasons. 'Just the love we get from Argos Nation, their energy, their passion,' McManis said in explaining Toronto's home-field record. 'We see them all the time at practice and when they show up at the game, you feel like they're stepping on to the field. 'I think that adds a little something to us and we always come with a little more juice.' Toronto has excelled at BMO Field under Ryan Dinwiddie, who's in his fifth season as head coach and has led the Argos to a 27-7 home mark. 'Obviously you want to do that for your fans and play exciting football for them,' Dinwiddie said. 'But if we win all of our home games there's a good chance we're going to make the playoffs. 'We still have to win on the road, that's an emphasis as well. But when we're at home I think guys are excited to go out there and play in front of our great fans.' However, Dinwiddie is 3-4 versus Calgary, the only CFL team he has a sub.-500 record against. Stamps head coach/GM Dave Dickenson boasts a 12-3 mark against Toronto. Toronto's defence struggled with the run against Montreal, allowing 163 yards on 26 carries (6.3-yard average). The rushing attack figured prominently in Calgary's season-opening 38-26 win over Hamilton last week as the Stamps had 158 yards on 31 attempts (5.1-yard average) with Dedrick Mills accounting for 94 yards and three touchdowns. 'It (stopping run) is always the most important thing, that's always your first goal,' said McManis, who had nine tackles against Montreal. 'Mills is a great back, he does a good job of reading and breaking a lot of tackles so we have to make sure we swarm to the ball and tackle with all 12 hats.' Then again, Calgary's offensive co-ordinator Pat DelMonaco is also its offensive-line coach. 'Pat is an O-line coach at heart so he wants to to play a physical brand of football,' Dinwiddie said. 'They're going to try to attack us downhill and we've got a good plan for it. 'Guys are aware of it and it all starts up front for us in this game.' Veteran Vernon Adams Jr. completed 19-of-28 passes for 284 yards last week in his Calgary debut. He was intercepted twice but did rush for 33 yards on three carries. Adams is 2-5 lifetime versus Toronto but has thrown 14 TD passes over that stretch. 'He's a dual-threat quarterback,' McManis said of Adams. 'He's an older guy now so there's not much he hasn't seen. 'Just kind of try to make him have to sit in the pocket and see if we can kind of confuse him and show him some things he hasn't seen before and get pressure on him and try to make him uncomfortable.' Veteran Nick Arbuckle will make a second straight start at quarterback for Toronto with incumbent Chad Kelly still being limited in practice. Kelly, 31, continues to recover from a leg injury suffered in last year's East Division final. Arbuckle, who was the MVP of Toronto's Grey Cup win over Winnipeg last year, completed 20-of-32 passes for 273 yards and a TD versus Montreal but also had two interceptions. 'Just sustain drives,' Dinwiddie said regarding what he'd like to see from his offence Saturday. 'We had some good plays and we'd get three first downs but then have to punt. 'We had our moments last week and we've got to build off those and make sure it's a complete game this week.' McManis agreed. 'There are some things we need to clean up,' he said. 'It's early in the year, we've got to fix some MAs (missed assignments) and clean up the penalties but it's not really anything you're too worried about. 'I feel like we're in a good spot mentally, I feel like everyone is prepared and wants to get things done the right way. Our effort and compassion is there for it.' Toronto hasn't started a season 0-2 since 2019. Calgary has dropped its last two games at BMO Field after winning eight straight road contests versus Toronto. The two teams split their games last year, each victorious at home. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
McManis, Argos look to get back on the winning track at home versus Stampeders
TORONTO – There's no place like home for Wynton McManis and the Toronto Argonauts. Toronto (0-1) hosts the Calgary Stampeders (1-0) on Saturday afternoon in its home opener. After the Argos began their Grey Cup title defence with a 28-10 road loss in Montreal last week, McManis welcomes the return to BMO Field, where the club is 16-2 the last two seasons. 'Just the love we get from Argos Nation, their energy, their passion,' McManis said in explaining Toronto's home-field record. 'We see them all the time at practice and when they show up at the game, you feel like they're stepping on to the field. 'I think that adds a little something to us and we always come with a little more juice.' Toronto has excelled at BMO Field under Ryan Dinwiddie, who's in his fifth season as head coach and has led the Argos to a 27-7 home mark. 'Obviously you want to do that for your fans and play exciting football for them,' Dinwiddie said. 'But if we win all of our home games there's a good chance we're going to make the playoffs. 'We still have to win on the road, that's an emphasis as well. But when we're at home I think guys are excited to go out there and play in front of our great fans.' However, Dinwiddie is 3-4 versus Calgary, the only CFL team he has a sub.-500 record against. Stamps head coach/GM Dave Dickenson boasts a 12-3 mark against Toronto. Toronto's defence struggled with the run against Montreal, allowing 163 yards on 26 carries (6.3-yard average). The rushing attack figured prominently in Calgary's season-opening 38-26 win over Hamilton last week as the Stamps had 158 yards on 31 attempts (5.1-yard average) with Dedrick Mills accounting for 94 yards and three touchdowns. 'It (stopping run) is always the most important thing, that's always your first goal,' said McManis, who had nine tackles against Montreal. 'Mills is a great back, he does a good job of reading and breaking a lot of tackles so we have to make sure we swarm to the ball and tackle with all 12 hats.' Then again, Calgary's offensive co-ordinator Pat DelMonaco is also its offensive-line coach. 'Pat is an O-line coach at heart so he wants to to play a physical brand of football,' Dinwiddie said. 'They're going to try to attack us downhill and we've got a good plan for it. 'Guys are aware of it and it all starts up front for us in this game.' Veteran Vernon Adams Jr. completed 19-of-28 passes for 284 yards last week in his Calgary debut. He was intercepted twice but did rush for 33 yards on three carries. Adams is 2-5 lifetime versus Toronto but has thrown 14 TD passes over that stretch. 'He's a dual-threat quarterback,' McManis said of Adams. 'He's an older guy now so there's not much he hasn't seen. 'Just kind of try to make him have to sit in the pocket and see if we can kind of confuse him and show him some things he hasn't seen before and get pressure on him and try to make him uncomfortable.' Veteran Nick Arbuckle will make a second straight start at quarterback for Toronto with incumbent Chad Kelly still being limited in practice. Kelly, 31, continues to recover from a leg injury suffered in last year's East Division final. Arbuckle, who was the MVP of Toronto's Grey Cup win over Winnipeg last year, completed 20-of-32 passes for 273 yards and a TD versus Montreal but also had two interceptions. 'Just sustain drives,' Dinwiddie said regarding what he'd like to see from his offence Saturday. 'We had some good plays and we'd get three first downs but then have to punt. 'We had our moments last week and we've got to build off those and make sure it's a complete game this week.' McManis agreed. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'There are some things we need to clean up,' he said. 'It's early in the year, we've got to fix some MAs (missed assignments) and clean up the penalties but it's not really anything you're too worried about. 'I feel like we're in a good spot mentally, I feel like everyone is prepared and wants to get things done the right way. Our effort and compassion is there for it.' Toronto hasn't started a season 0-2 since 2019. Calgary has dropped its last two games at BMO Field after winning eight straight road contests versus Toronto. The two teams split their games last year, each victorious at home. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025.
