Latest news with #TorontoArgonauts
National Post
a day ago
- Business
- National Post
Veteran running back Ka'Deem Carey among Toronto Argonauts final cuts
He was a big part of the Toronto Argonauts' Grey Cup championship last season. but Ka'Deem Carey won't help them defend it. Article content Article content The veteran running back was among Toronto's final cuts released Sunday. CFL teams had to make their final roster moves by 10 p.m. ET on Saturday night. Article content The 2025 season opens Thursday night with the Ottawa Redblacks visiting the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Toronto begins its campaign Friday night on the road versus the Montreal Alouettes. Article content Carey, 32, ran for team-high 1,060 yards (5.5-yard average) with seven touchdowns last season, his first with Toronto. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound Carey, who earned a '18 Grey Cup ring with Calgary, added 37 catches for 356 yards and a TD while appearing in all 18 regular-season games. Article content Carey also appeared in all three of Toronto's playoff games, rushing for 79 yards and a TD on 15 carries in the club's 41-24 Grey Cup win over Winnipeg. He re-signed with the club in the off-season. Article content 'It's a tough day,' Toronto head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said of final cut-down. 'I wish I could keep them all … it's just unfortunate we've got to make some tough decisions, that's professional football. Article content 'You've got to go with what you think is best for your football club.' Article content American Deonta McMahon, entering his third season with Toronto, is expected to take Carey's spot in Toronto's backfield. Article content Also among the 18 players released by Toronto were quarterback Cameron Dukes and veteran defensive back Ciante Evans, both Americans. Article content Dukes made nine starts last season for Toronto, posting a 4-5 record, as incumbent Chad Kelly missed the club's first nine regular-season games due to suspension. The six-foot, 200-pound Dukes completed 143-of-199 passes (71.9 per cent) for 1,444 yards with seven touchdowns, and six interceptions while adding 321 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Article content Evans, 32, signed with Toronto in the off-season after registering 31 tackles and two interceptions in 13 regular-season games last season with the B.C. Lions. Article content Toronto placed running back Jyran Mitchell, receiver Calvin Turner Jr. and Dorian Anderson, offensive linemen Anim Dankwah and Hampton Ergle, defensive linemen Greg Reaves, Da'Marcus Johnson and Brevin Allen, linebacker Stephen Smith, defensive back Delonte Hood and kicker Alfredo Gachuz-Lozada on the practice roster. Article content The Hamilton Tiger-Cats released 24 players, including Canadian receivers Luther Hakunavanhu and Bruno Labelle. Hakunavanhu, who began his CFL career with Calgary (2021-23), had nine catches for 171 yards and four TDs in eight games last season. Article content Labelle was entering his first season with Hamilton after appearing in 29 games over the two previous campaigns with Saskatchewan. Article content
CTV News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Toronto Argos and Hamilton Ti-Cats return to University of Guelph gridiron
The Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats met up for a preseason match at the University of Guelph's Alumni Stadium on May 30, 2025. (Dan Lauckner/CTV News) For the fifth consecutive season, CFL stars came to the University of Guelph for a preseason matchup. Defending Grey Cup champions, the Toronto Argonauts, took on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Alumni Stadium Friday night. The Boatmen brought out the Grey Cup ahead of the match, giving fans a chance to catch a glimpse of the coveted trophy. For years, the game has drawn out the faithful, eager to get a measure of the team before the official start to the season. 'We came last year to this game. [It's] always great to see the team in advance. I love coming here and seeing how the team is looking,' self-proclaimed Argos superfan Matthew McKenzie said. 'I was here last year for this game, and I just came out to root on our Tiger-Cats,' fan Shelle Papin said. 'It's not too far, just right up in Hamilton. So Oskee Wee Wee!' Others said it was the overall excitement that drew them in. 'I was here last year and the year before. It's a wonderful time,' Tayte Azzoparde, a Guelph Jr. Gryphons U18 player, told CTV News. The stands quickly filled up with diehard fans, some sporting the double blue while others came decked out in black and gold. Friday's game comes after the Argos used Alumni Stadium for a training camp and held a special opportunity for elementary students to get in on the action through the 'Huddle Up' program earlier this month.
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
No more air horns: Montreal Alouettes ban noisemakers from home games
Montreal Alouettes fans celebrate during their 48-9 victory over the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League Eastern Final action Sunday, November 21, 2010 in Montreal. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press) After complaints from other fans and a reminder of the Canadian Football League's (CFL) policies, the Montreal Alouettes say fans will no longer be allowed to bring air horns into the stadium for home games. Superfan Denis Genereux and a group of other season ticket holders started bringing air horns to the games in 2011. 'A bunch of crazy fans like me, it just went crazy, and ever since then, it's been used,' he said. 'It's been the signage of Montreal. These air horns were bothering the other team. We're bothering the other team's offence, and we were doing our jobs as the 13th player.' Genereux and other fans will now need to find another way to rally the home side. The CFL's gameday venue policies are clear. 'Air horns, megaphones, whistles and other mechanical noise makers' are listed as prohibited items. Alouettes spokesperson Francis Dupont said other fans were not as excited about the noisemakers as Genereux. 'We received a lot of complaints in our customer surveys,' he said. Montreal Alouettes fans Montreal Alouettes fans pose for a photo ahead of the 110th CFL Grey Cup between the Montreal Alouettes and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Hamilton, Ont., on Sunday, November 19, 2023. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press) Genereux said other teams bring cowbells, trumpets, drums and other noisemakers to mess with opposing teams. 'There are all kinds of tools to make noise,' he said. 'For us, it was the air horn. Now it's being banned.' NHL Draft Winnipeg Jets hockey fans Laurie and Robert Taman react as the Winnipeg Jets as they selected Patrik Laine second in the NHL draft Friday, June 24, 2016. The Blue Bombers showed the draft on their video screens prior to their CFL game against the Montreal Alouettes in Winnipeg. (John Woods/The Canadian Press) Genereux said, however, that he 'totally' approves of the ban. 'The Als office was classy in that process because they called me up during winter and they said, 'Denis, we're thinking about banning those things because there were some Alouettes fans who were thinking about leaving and not renewing their season tickets because they were right in front of those air horn users.' When Genereux first brought an air horn to a game, he was in the end zone with no one in front of him. He said he understands other fans' concerns because the noise is intense. 'If you're right in front of it, it's dangerous,' he said. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that air horns are loud enough to damage your hearing 'immediately.' 'Using an air horn to scare someone or get their attention isn't a joke or a harmless prank,' the CDC wrote. 'It could hurt their hearing forever, and you could hurt your own hearing too.' The CDC says that an air horn is 129 decibels, and any sound that's 85 decibels or higher can cause hearing loss or other hearing problems, such as tinnitus. It recommends wearing earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones and explicitly advises not to use air horns. 'You could hurt the hearing of everyone around you,' the CDC writes. 'It's not worth it.' Montreal Alouettes fans Montreal Alouettes fans celebrate during their 48-9 victory over the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League Eastern Final action Sunday, November 21, 2010 in Montreal. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press) Genereux acknowledged the fact that people took air horns to other sections, and that people's health was at risk. 'Of course, there are people in front of them, and those people are suffering from it,' he said. 'I'm a team player and I approve that the aggravated and they are allowed to have their best experience at the game.' Genereux added that he would like to see a section similar to the Ultras section at CF Montreal and other soccer games. Talks are still determining whether this will happen, he said. In the meantime, Genereux said he is planning on bringing a small horn he needs to blow to make noise, and said he plans to aim the horn up out of respect for other fans.
CTV News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Former Argos DaShaun Amos, Jamal Peters together again with Ticats
Toronto Argonauts' DaShaun Amos (8) runs back an interception as Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Ontaria Wilson (80) and Argonauts' Tarvarus McFadden (2) look on during second half CFL football action at the 111th Grey Cup in Vancouver on Sunday, November 17, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette HAMILTON — Jamal Peters and DaShaun Amos are together again. The veteran defensive backs reunited this off-season when Amos signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. They were 2022 Grey Cup champions with the Toronto Argonauts. Amos, a field-side halfback, won another Grey Cup last season with Toronto before signing with Hamilton in free agency. With plenty of gentle persuasion from Peters, a boundary cornerback. 'I didn't know if there was a chance we'd be able to get him because he'd been with the blue team for so long and what he'd done for that organization,' Peters said. 'But being in his ear since the start of the off-season, I just told him what we could do if he came here and was a part of this. 'I know we can chase a championship and do something special here, so it's a huge piece. He's like a brother to me.' A message Amos heard loud and clear. 'He (Peters) is a big (reason) why I signed here,' Amos said. 'Being able to look across (the field) and see someone like him helps you play a little looser. 'A player of his calibre helps you be more confident in the room and want to win that much more.' Amos was also sold on the Ticats (7-11), who missed the playoffs last season but were 3-0 versus Toronto. 'From the very beginning of free agency, Hamilton just showed they wanted me the most,' he said. 'They were a few pieces away from having an amazing year last year and I feel like we have the pieces for that this year. 'They're very community-driven … and that's something that's huge to me.' The six-foot, 190-pound Amos was a '24 East Division all-star, registering 25 tackles, five interceptions and a defensive TD in all 18 regular-season games. In Toronto's 41-24 Grey Cup win over Winnipeg, Amos had one of the team's record-tying four interceptions that were returned for 164 yards, a new game standard. Amos began his CFL career with Calgary (2018-19, 2021). He was a 2019 West Division all-star and has won three Grey Cups (2018 with Stamps, 2022 and 2024 with Argos). The six- foot-two, 220-pound Peters enters his second season in Hamilton after starting his CFL career with Toronto (2021-23). Peters, 28, was a 2022 league all-star after registering a career-high six interceptions. Peters had 41 total tackles and four interceptions in 14 regular-season contests last season. Hamilton also signed veteran CFL defensive backs Reggie Stubblefield and Branden Dozier in free agency. Stubblefield spent two seasons with Montreal (winning 2023 Grey Cup) while Dozier joins the Ticats after spending time with the Alouettes (2017-18), B.C. (2019) and Calgary (2021-2024). The newcomers join returnees Destin Talbert (who started at halfback alongside Peters last season) and CFL veterans Jonathan Moxey and Lawrence Woods III. 'Depth is always your friend,' Amos said. 'I've yet to be on a championship team where we didn't need depth. 'It's going to build our room to be the best we can be as individuals and together as a group. You can never have too many.' Peters is one of the CFL's top cover corners, which could force teams to look more to Amos' side of the field. Amos is more than good with that. 'We've talked about that since we were first teammates,' Amos said. 'My job is to help shut down the field and send the ball his way and his job is to shut down the boundary side and send it back. 'Teams won't be able to game-plan us and go to just the strong side or the boundary side. They'll have to deal with us both.' Brent Monsoon begins his first season as Hamilton's co-ordinator following 15 seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, the last five as their defensive co-ordinator. He takes over a unit that was ranked last in offensive points (29.3 per game) and offensive TDs (55) allowed. Monson wants Hamilton's defence to be aggressive this season. But that will also mean doing so with a short memory because with aggression comes the possibility of being beaten for a big gain. 'First thing is make the play because if we can be perfect, we're going to be perfect,' Amos said. 'That's the standard and expectation, first and foremost … but in the back end the reality is many of us aren't perfect and we're going to give up some. 'But we must have that short memory and be able to reload. They might get the ball down to the one-yard line, but if we can reload and play the next play and get a turnover, it's like it never happened.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 20, 2025. Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
CTV News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Veteran linebacker McManis will anchor new-look Toronto Argonauts defence in 2025
Toronto Argonauts' Wynton McManis (48) hoists the Grey Cup with teammates after defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 111th Grey Cup in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn GUELPH — Wynton McManis finds himself in somewhat unfamiliar surroundings as he returns for a fourth season with the Toronto Argonauts. The veteran middle linebacker will anchor a new-look Argos defence this season. Toronto will open its schedule June 6 in Montreal minus seven starters from the unit that forced five turnovers — resulting in 27 points — in its 41-24 Grey Cup win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. 'Yeah, there will be quite a few changes,' said McManis sporting an ever-present toothpick in his mouth. 'It's early, but once a lot of these guys start making plays you'll start learning the names a little bit more.' All four defensive linemen who started against Winnipeg are gone. Defensive end Folarin Orimolade was dealt to Calgary for Canadian linebacker Cam Judge while tackle Jake Ceresna and Canadian end Robbie Smith signed with Edmonton as free agents. Tackle Ralph Holley is now with the NFL's Cleveland Browns. Jared Brinkman, who opened '24 as a starting defensive lineman, also joined the Elks in free agency. Canadian linebacker Fraser Sopik, who made 12 starts last year with Toronto, signed with Calgary in free agency before retiring. Toronto did re-sign McManis — a two-time CFL all-star and three-time Grey Cup champion — in the off-season. Judge, entering his eighth CFL season, returns to the team he played for in 2021 but Canadian Tunde Adeleke, who started at linebacker versus Winnipeg. signed with Ottawa this off-season before retiring. Canadian safety Royce Metchie (free agent, Edmonton) and veteran halfback DaShaun Amos (free agent, Hamilton) also departed. 'No question, it's a brand new team,' said Toronto head coach Ryan Dinwiddie. 'There's more roster turnover this year than what we had last year and everybody thought we had a ton last year. 'There's going to be guys who've got to get familiar with the scheme and some of those things. I'm going to be hard on some of these incoming players to kind of let them understand what our expectations are in this building.' Toronto posted a CFL-high 48 sacks last season with Ceresna and Holley both recording eight to finish in a five-way tie for the CFL lead. Orimolade, Smith and Derek Parrish, who remains with the Argos, all had six. But while sacks certainly garner attention, of more importance to a defence is forcing turnovers because they can immediately change the complexion of a game. Nowhere was that more evident than in the Grey Cup as Toronto had a record-tying four interceptions but set a new standard with 164 return yards. Robert Priester had a 61-yard interception return TD as Toronto outscored Winnipeg 24-11 in the fourth quarter to cement its second championship win over the Bombers in three seasons. But Toronto's defensive changes aren't limited to its roster. Jason Shivers begins his first season as co-defensive co-ordinator with linebackers coach Kevin Eiben. He replaces William Fields, who's now the Ottawa Redblacks' defensive co-ordinator. Shivers is a former Argos defensive back who began his CFL coaching career with the club in 2013 as a defensive assistant. He'll also serve as Toronto's secondary coach. 'Jason brings a lot of confidence and the ability to relate to players,' Dinwiddie said. 'He's been a co-ordinator for a long time (2019, 21-23 with Saskatchewan, 2024 with Edmonton). 'I've told Jason and Kevin, 'You guys be aggressive. I'll take care of the other end on offence, we'll score enough points.' But I want those guys to go after teams, we're not going to to sit back.' All with the goal of getting the ball back for Toronto's offence as often as possible. 'We've got to create turnovers where last year we created turnovers just being really good football players,' Dinwiddie said. 'We've got to make sure we can confuse the offence a little bit, get a few interceptions thrown to us.' McManis said it will take time for Toronto's defensive players to get acclimated to the schemes and develop a chemistry together. 'There's going to be some growing pains but everyone is willing and able and just excited to be here to learn,' he said. 'I think the sky is the limit for this group. 'I know everyone says that every year but honestly, it's the truth. We have a lot of great guys.' The last celebrations of Toronto's '24 season will be the players receiving their Grey Cup rings and raising of the championship banner. But for McManis, last year's Grey Cup is a distant — albeit pleasant — memory. 'You know, 2024 is gone,' he said. 'I'm going to get the ring, smile at it, close the box and let's go win in 2025.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 11, 2025. Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
