The 2008Toronto Argonauts season was the 51st season for the team in the Canadian Football League and 136th season overall. The Argonauts attempted to win their 16th Grey Cup, but they failed to make the playoffs ending the season on a nine-game losing streak.
In the 2008 CFL Draft, 48 players were chosen from among 752 eligible players[1] from Canadian universities across the country, as well as Canadian players playing in the NCAA. The first two rounds were broadcast on TSN.ca with host Rod Black.
The Toronto Argonauts signed former National Football League receiver/kick-returner Bethel Johnson on May 26. Johnson is a two-time Super Bowl champion, who posted a league-best 28.2-yard kickoff return average as a rookie in 2003 with the New England Patriots. Johnson signed with the Argos on Monday, May 26.[3]
Damon Allen, 44, announced his retirement from the CFL on May 28. Allen had maintained during the offseason that he intended to attend training camp and compete for the starter's job. Allen would have gone into camp third on the depth chart behind newly acquired Kerry Joseph and veteran Michael Bishop, both of whom signed new deals with the Argos in the off-season.
Allen retires as pro football's career passing leader with 72,381 yards. He played on four Grey Cup-winning teams and in 2005, he captured the league's outstanding player award.[4]
June 5, 2008: The Argos acquired running back Jamal Robertson from the Saskatchewan Roughriders for Canadian cornerback Leron Mitchell. He was a former University of Western Ontario Mustangs star who this off-season had a workout with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.[5]
Toronto started the season off well, winning against the Blue Bombers 23–16, but after that they compiled a 2–5 record the next 7 games. After the Bye week, everything went downhill, they won only one game and lost 9 start to finish the season 4–14 and missed the playoffs.
A raucous Labour Day crowd of 25,911 at Ivor Wynne Stadium witnessed a game that ended with a 34–31 Argo victory, the team's first win against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the season. Argo head coach Rich Stubler's job was rumoured to be on the line.[7] Argos receiver Arland Bruce III found time for a little theatrics, celebrating an 11-yard TD catch by donning a Spider-Man mask produced from his pants.[7] Several days later, the Canadian Football League fined the Argonauts receiver an undisclosed amount for his touchdown celebration.[8] Game officials had handed Bruce an objectionable conduct penalty after the incident. Bruce went on to have his best game of the season, catching 10 passes for a game-high 149 yards.[8]
On September 9, Stubler was released as head coach of the Argonauts after posting a 4–6 record. There was the belief he could not get along with those he worked with.[9] The Argos hired Don Matthews, the head coach with the most wins in CFL history and head coach during Toronto's back-to-back Grey Cup victories in 1996 and 1997, to return to the club as head coach for the third time in his coaching career.[10]
During the team's next game on September 12 at Rogers Centre, Winnipeg Blue Bombers slotback Milt Stegall became the most prolific receiver in the history of the CFL.[11] The slotback caught a 92-yard pass at 9:02 in the second quarter to raise his career total to 14,983, breaking the mark of 14,891 yards previously held by former Stampeders receiver Allen Pitts.[11] Stegall took a pass from Kevin Glenn and scored a touchdown, his second of the game. It put the Bombers ahead 28–3.[11]
On October 31, Matthews resigned from the Argonauts a day after the conclusion of the Argonauts 2008 regular season, which saw the Argos fail to win a game in the eight games under his leadership and finishing out of the playoffs for the first time since the 2001 CFL season.[12]
The Argos finished third in the East Division with a record of 4 wins and 14 losses. The Edmonton Eskimos, who finished fourth in the West, had a better record of 10 and 8, and under the cross-over rule eliminated Toronto from the playoffs and play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the East semi-final.
^Simmons, Steve (2009-09-10). "Stubler just didn't fit". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
^"Argos fire Stubler, bring back Matthews". CBC Sports. 2008-09-09. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
^ abc"CFL on Yahoo Canada Sports – News, Scores, Standings, Rumours, Fantasy Games". Yahoo Sports.[permanent dead link]
^"Matthews quits as Argos coach". CBC Sports. 2008-10-31. from the original on 5 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
^ ab. Archived from the original on 2008-12-11. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
^. CFL.ca. Archived from the original on 2008-10-10. Retrieved 2008-11-06.
^. Archived from the original on 2008-12-06. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
Further reading
On training camp
Zelkovich, Chris (2008-06-18). "No happy campers in Argoland". Toronto Star. Retrieved 18 June 2008.
External links
2008 Toronto Argonauts Season
Official CFL team training camp preview
January 31, 2023
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The 2008 Toronto Argonauts season was the 51st season for the team in the Canadian Football League and 136th season overall The Argonauts attempted to win their 16th Grey Cup but they failed to make the playoffs ending the season on a nine game losing streak 2008 Toronto Argonauts seasonGeneral managerAdam RitaHead coachRich Stubler to Sept 9 Don Matthews Sept 9 to Oct 31 Home fieldRogers CentreResultsRecord4 14Division place3rd EastPlayoff finishdid not qualifyUniform 2007 Argonauts seasons 2009 Contents 1 Offseason 1 1 CFL Draft 1 2 Notable transactions 2 Rosters 2 1 Preseason roster 2 2 End of season roster 3 Schedule 3 1 Preseason 3 2 Regular season 4 Regular season 4 1 Season standings 5 Statistics 5 1 Offence 5 1 1 Passing 5 1 2 Rushing 5 1 3 Receiving 5 2 Defence 6 Postseason 7 Awards and records 7 1 Milestones 8 References 9 Further reading 10 External linksOffseason EditCFL Draft Edit In the 2008 CFL Draft 48 players were chosen from among 752 eligible players 1 from Canadian universities across the country as well as Canadian players playing in the NCAA The first two rounds were broadcast on TSN ca with host Rod Black Round Pick Player Position School Club Team2 13 Mike Bradwell WR McMaster3 21 Jean Nicolas Carriere LB McGill4 29 Delroy Clarke DB Ottawa5 37 Richard Zulys OL Western Ontario6 42 via Edmonton Mark Dewit OL Calgary6 44 via Montreal Tyler Scott REC Western Ontario6 45 Matt Black DB Saginaw ValleyNotable transactions Edit Quarterback Kerry Joseph jogs offs the Rogers Centre field Date Type Incoming Outgoing TeamMarch 5 2008 Trade Kerry Joseph Quarterback Riders third round pick in the 2010 CFL Draft Glenn January Offensive Tackle Ronald Flemons Defensive Lineman Argonauts first round selection in the 2008 CFL Draft Argonauts second round selection in the 2010 CFL Draft Saskatchewan Roughriders 2 The Toronto Argonauts signed former National Football League receiver kick returner Bethel Johnson on May 26 Johnson is a two time Super Bowl champion who posted a league best 28 2 yard kickoff return average as a rookie in 2003 with the New England Patriots Johnson signed with the Argos on Monday May 26 3 Damon Allen 44 announced his retirement from the CFL on May 28 Allen had maintained during the offseason that he intended to attend training camp and compete for the starter s job Allen would have gone into camp third on the depth chart behind newly acquired Kerry Joseph and veteran Michael Bishop both of whom signed new deals with the Argos in the off season Allen retires as pro football s career passing leader with 72 381 yards He played on four Grey Cup winning teams and in 2005 he captured the league s outstanding player award 4 June 5 2008 The Argos acquired running back Jamal Robertson from the Saskatchewan Roughriders for Canadian cornerback Leron Mitchell He was a former University of Western Ontario Mustangs star who this off season had a workout with the NFL s Dallas Cowboys 5 Rosters EditPreseason roster Edit As of June 10 2008 2008 Toronto Argonauts preseason rosterQuarterbacks 4 Kerry Joseph 12 Reggie McNeal 14 Cody Pickett 17 Michael BishopRunning Backs 44 Andre Durie 24 Tyler Ebell 25 Jamal Robertson 33 Jeff Johnson 34 Dominique Dorsey RB KR 40 Bryan Crawford 42 Dashawn ThomasReceivers 5 Arland Bruce III SB 9 Andre Talbot WR 15 Tyler Scott WR 16 Obed Cetoute WR 19 James Robinson WR 47 Steve Schmidt R TE 80 Chris Cole WR 81 David Gray TE 82 TJ Acree SB 83 Bethel Johnson WR 84 Patrick Johnson SB 85 Chad Rempel SB 86 Nathan Hoffart SB 88 Mike Bradwell WR Offensive Linemen 53 Mark Dewit 56 Chad Folk C 57 Brian Ramsay OT 58 Scott Evans OG 59 Jerome Davis OT 61 Ross Weaver OT 62 Ben Brielmaier OT 65 Taylor Robertson OG 66 Jude St John OG 67 Nikolas Sobic OTDefensive Linemen 7 Riall Johnson DE 78 Adriano Belli DT 90 Adrian Davis DT 93 Jean Nicolas Carriere DL LB 94 Seante Williams DE 97 Jonathan Brown DE Linebackers 2 Michael Fletcher ILB 6 Yves Hercule ILB 10 Willie Pile OLB 35 Kevin Eiben OLB 38 Andre Maddox OLB 43 Adrian Mayes OLB 50 Mike O Shea ILB 51 Raymond Fontaine OLB 52 Aaron Wagner ILB 54 Eric Maranda ILB 95 Richard Seigler ILBDefensive Backs 3 Khalil Carter DB 8 Chris Hardy S 18 DeJuan Groce CB 21 Orlondo Steinauer S 23 Willie Middlebrooks DB 24 Tra Boger DB 26 Dyshod Carter CB 28 Byron Parker CB 29 Wayne Shaw S 30 Kenny Wheaton DB 32 Chuck Winters DB 37 Antonio Perkins CB 39 Delroy Clarke DB 46 Kenny Heatly CBSpecial teams 70 Robert Eeuwes K P 45 Randy Srochenski LS LB 13 Mike Vanderjagt K P Injured Reserve Suspended list 64 Richard Zulys OL 73 Michael Quarshie DT 89 David Boston WRPractice Roster Italics indicates Import playerRoster updated 2008 06 10Depth Chart Transactions 69 Active 3 InactiveEnd of season roster Edit 2008 Toronto Argonauts final rosterQuarterbacks 4 Kerry Joseph 3 Cody PickettRunning Backs 40 Bryan Crawford FB 34 Dominique Dorsey RB 26 Andre Durie 24 Tyler Ebell RB 33 Jeff Johnson FB 25 Jamal Robertson 81 Steve Schmidt FBReceivers 5 Arland Bruce III SB KR PR 16 Obed Cetoute WR 12 Reggie McNeal WR QB 19 James Robinson 14 P K Sam 15 Tyler Scott SB 17 Keith Stokes SB 9 Andre Talbot SB Offensive Linemen 59 Jerome Davis T 53 Mark Dewit C 56 Chad Folk C 68 Andrew Greene G 57 Brian Ramsay T 65 Taylor Robertson G 66 Jude St John G 67 Clifton Washburn T 69 Jonta Woodard TDefensive Linemen 78 Adriano Belli DT 97 Jonathan Brown DE 98 Walter Curry DT 90 Adrian Davis DT 99 Ronald Flemons DT 51 Raymond Fontaine DE 92 Claude Harriott DE 7 Riall Johnson DE Linebackers 47 Jean Nicolas Carriere OLB 35 Kevin Eiben ILB 2 Michael Fletcher LB 43 Adrian Mayes OLB 50 Mike O Shea ILB 10 Willie Pile OLB 95 Richard Seigler OLB 52 Aaron Wagner ILBDefensive Backs 11 Delroy Clarke CB 8 Chris Hardy S 27 Kenny Heatly DB 29 Pete Hunter DB 42 Jermaine Mays DB 23 Willie Middlebrooks CB 28 Bryon Parker CB 20 Will Poole DB 6 Jason Shivers DB 32 Chuck Winters DB 30 Kenny Wheaton SSpecial Teams 13 Mike Vanderjagt K P 45 Randy Srochenski LS Practice Roster 80 Brad Smith WR 38 Ryan Glasper S 18 Da shawn Thomas RB 54 Chris Van Zeyl TItalics indicates Import playerRoster updated 2008 10 31Depth Chart Transactions 55 Active 4 PRSchedule EditPreseason Edit Week Date Opponent Location Final Score Attendance RecordA June 12 Alouettes Molson Stadium T 34 34 20 202 0 0 1B June 19 Tiger Cats Rogers Centre L 28 21 21 422 0 1 1 6 Regular season Edit Week Date Opponent Location Final Score Attendance Record1 June 27 Blue Bombers Canad Inns Stadium W 23 16 26 155 1 02 July 3 Tiger Cats Rogers Centre L 32 13 30 822 1 13 July 10 Eskimos Commonwealth Stadium L 47 28 31 707 1 24 July 20 Eskimos Rogers Centre W 35 31 28 522 2 25 July 27 Roughriders Mosaic Stadium L 28 22 28 800 2 36 August 1 Blue Bombers Rogers Centre W 19 11 28 523 3 37 August 7 Tiger Cats Ivor Wynne Stadium L 45 21 19 423 3 48 August 15 Alouettes Rogers Centre L 32 14 30 521 3 59 Bye10 September 1 Tiger Cats Ivor Wynne Stadium W 34 31 25 911 4 511 September 7 Alouettes Molson Stadium L 45 19 20 202 4 612 September 12 Blue Bombers Rogers Centre L 39 9 28 453 4 713 September 20 Stampeders McMahon Stadium L 34 4 33 135 4 814 September 27 Stampeders Rogers Centre L 44 16 28 672 4 915 October 3 Lions Rogers Centre L 24 20 28 273 4 1016 October 10 Blue Bombers Canad Inns Stadium L 25 16 27 268 4 1117 October 18 Alouettes Rogers Centre L 43 34 30 262 4 1218 October 25 Lions BC Place Stadium L 55 32 35 994 4 1319 October 30 Roughriders Rogers Centre L 45 38 28 654 4 14 6 Regular season EditToronto started the season off well winning against the Blue Bombers 23 16 but after that they compiled a 2 5 record the next 7 games After the Bye week everything went downhill they won only one game and lost 9 start to finish the season 4 14 and missed the playoffs A raucous Labour Day crowd of 25 911 at Ivor Wynne Stadium witnessed a game that ended with a 34 31 Argo victory the team s first win against the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the season Argo head coach Rich Stubler s job was rumoured to be on the line 7 Argos receiver Arland Bruce III found time for a little theatrics celebrating an 11 yard TD catch by donning a Spider Man mask produced from his pants 7 Several days later the Canadian Football League fined the Argonauts receiver an undisclosed amount for his touchdown celebration 8 Game officials had handed Bruce an objectionable conduct penalty after the incident Bruce went on to have his best game of the season catching 10 passes for a game high 149 yards 8 On September 9 Stubler was released as head coach of the Argonauts after posting a 4 6 record There was the belief he could not get along with those he worked with 9 The Argos hired Don Matthews the head coach with the most wins in CFL history and head coach during Toronto s back to back Grey Cup victories in 1996 and 1997 to return to the club as head coach for the third time in his coaching career 10 During the team s next game on September 12 at Rogers Centre Winnipeg Blue Bombers slotback Milt Stegall became the most prolific receiver in the history of the CFL 11 The slotback caught a 92 yard pass at 9 02 in the second quarter to raise his career total to 14 983 breaking the mark of 14 891 yards previously held by former Stampeders receiver Allen Pitts 11 Stegall took a pass from Kevin Glenn and scored a touchdown his second of the game It put the Bombers ahead 28 3 11 On October 31 Matthews resigned from the Argonauts a day after the conclusion of the Argonauts 2008 regular season which saw the Argos fail to win a game in the eight games under his leadership and finishing out of the playoffs for the first time since the 2001 CFL season 12 Season standings Edit East DivisionviewtalkeditTeam GP W L T PF PA PtsMontreal Alouettes 18 11 7 0 610 443 22 DetailsWinnipeg Blue Bombers 18 8 10 0 435 490 16 DetailsToronto Argonauts 18 4 14 0 397 627 8 DetailsHamilton Tiger Cats 18 3 15 0 441 593 6 DetailsStatistics EditOffence Edit Passing Edit Player Att Comp Yards TD INT RatingKerry Joseph 536 307 57 3 4174 17 14 82 0Cody Pickett 104 63 60 6 610 1 2 72 2Reggie McNeal 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 13 Rushing Edit Player Att Yards Avg TD FumblesJamal Robertson 117 645 5 5 6 2Kerry Joseph 78 493 6 3 4 7Dominique Dorsey 64 41 0 6 4 2 2Jeff Johnson 8 31 3 9 1 0 13 Receiving Edit 14 Player Receptions Yards TouchdownsArland Bruce 92 1210 9Andre Talbot 76 915 4Reggie McNeal 43 606 2P K Sam 36 499 3James Robinson 25 381 1Tyler Scott 19 309 0Dominique Dorsey 15 286 0Defence EditPostseason EditThe Argos finished third in the East Division with a record of 4 wins and 14 losses The Edmonton Eskimos who finished fourth in the West had a better record of 10 and 8 and under the cross over rule eliminated Toronto from the playoffs and play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the East semi final Awards and records EditArland Bruce Eastern Division All Star Offence 15 Jonathan Brown CFL Eastern All Star Defence Dominique Dorsey CFL Eastern All Star Special Teams John Agro Special Teams Award Dominique Dorsey RB Toronto Argonauts Kenny Wheaton CFL Eastern All Star DefenceMilestones EditReferences Edit Draft List for Year 2008 PDF Canadian Football League 2008 01 28 Retrieved 6 May 2008 permanent dead link canada com Page Not Found Archived from the original on 2008 04 08 Retrieved 2008 04 12 via Canada com a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a Cite uses generic title help Argonauts add former NFLer Bethel Johnson CBC News May 26 2008 Retrieved 28 May 2008 no title Canoe a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a Cite uses generic title help no title Canoe a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a Cite uses generic title help a b 2008 Toronto Argonauts Retrieved 2010 11 07 a b Zelkovich Chris September 2 2008 Argos hang on to beat Ticats The Star Toronto Retrieved April 22 2010 a b Posted Sports network nationalpost com Simmons Steve 2009 09 10 Stubler just didn t fit Toronto Sun Retrieved 2008 09 10 Argos fire Stubler bring back Matthews CBC Sports 2008 09 09 Retrieved 2008 09 09 a b c CFL on Yahoo Canada Sports News Scores Standings Rumours Fantasy Games Yahoo Sports permanent dead link Matthews quits as Argos coach CBC Sports 2008 10 31 Archived from the original on 5 December 2008 Retrieved 2008 10 31 a b CFL ca Archived from the original on 2008 12 11 Retrieved 2017 08 23 2008 Receiving Statistics CFL ca Archived from the original on 2008 10 10 Retrieved 2008 11 06 CFL ca 2008 East amp West Division All Stars Archived from the original on 2008 12 06 Retrieved 2017 08 23 Further reading EditOn training campZelkovich Chris 2008 06 18 No happy campers in Argoland Toronto Star Retrieved 18 June 2008 External links Edit2008 Toronto Argonauts Season Official CFL team training camp preview Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 2008 Toronto Argonauts season amp oldid 1106355017, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
