Veteran defensive end Foley feels Argos in must-win situation versus Ticats

TORONTO — The Toronto Argonauts’ Labour Day rematch with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats has a sense urgency for Ricky Foley.

The veteran defensive end feels Sunday’s game at BMO Field is a must-win for the Argos (4-6), who’ve lost four straight including a 49-36 road decision to Hamilton (5-5) on Monday night.

“I don’t know if some guys get it (regarding) the point we’re at right now,” Foley said. “We’ve got to start to understand this is a playoff game.

“We’re 4-6, we can’t go 4-7. Right now we’re out of the playoffs. We’re in a tough spot right now, we’ve got to win. You can’t go 4-7, you can’t do that.”

The six-foot-three, 243-pound Foley said the harsh reality is the Argos are fighting for more than just their playoff lives.

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“The biggest thing is I like all the guys on this team., I think we have a good crew of guys,” he said. “The issue is, though, we start going 4-7, 4-8, stuff starts happening.

“Guess what? I don’t think some of these guys realize the NFL guys start coming in and you start getting guys cut and guys start losing their jobs and coaches start making plans for next year.”

Foley, a three-time Grey Cup champion, said that makes for a very uncomfortable and tense existence.

“I’ve experienced that in my career and it’s ugly and you don’t want it,” he said matter of factly. “It’s cool, it’s fine, enjoy this because it’s a game but you go 4-7, it’s going to get ugly around here.

“To me it’s a make-or-break game. Things are going to go one way or the other after this game. I just hope guys realize that.”

Toronto will have a new quarterback in Dan LeFevour. He replaces veteran Ricky Ray, who suffered a fractured rib and partially deflated lung in Monday night’s game and is out four-to-six weeks.

LeFevour was with Montreal last year but suffered a season-ending shoulder injury just two plays into his first game with the Als. LeFevour began his CFL career with Hamilton (2012-14), suffering a season-ending knee injury his final year with the Ticats.

LeFevour joined the Argos last month after being released by the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The six-foot-three, 230-pound quarterback has appeared in 46 career CFL games, completing 141-of-212 passes (66.5 per cent) for 1,670 yards with five TDs and six interceptions.

LeFevour has also rushed for 642 career on 111 carries (5.8-yard average) and scored 11 TDs. But he has a healthy respect for Hamilton’s defence and co-ordinator Orlondo Steinauer.

“He (Steinauer) is very good at calling a game, he’s good at disguising looks, everything and I really mean that,” LeFevour said. “What can you attack? Just do your best at executing our plan and try to see it the best you can.

“Go through your progressions and your reads and try to make plans. But he’s got a good one put together, that’s for sure.”

Kent Austin, Hamilton’s head coach/VP of football operations, said LeFevour brings multiple talents to Toronto’s offence.

“We obviously know a little bit about his skillset,” Austin said. “He can pull the ball down and move the sticks with his feet.

“He’s big and strong and accurate. He’s more of a run threat for sure.”

Hamilton will have centre Mike Filer back as he returns from the six-game injured list.

Despite Toronto’s recent slide, LeFevour doesn’t feel pressure to carry the Argos’ offence.

“Just execute the offence,” he said. “You’ve seen the success that multiple guys have had in this offence.

“Just stick to what Marcus and Scott want you to do and you’ll have success. Getting used to these guys and the concepts they run and the things they’re asking me to do, I feel comfortable with it.”

One player who excelled in Toronto’s offence was Hamilton starter Zach Collaros, who began his CFL career with the Argos (2012-14). Another was current Ottawa Redblack Trevor Harris, who had a league-high 33 TD strikes last season with the Double Blue.

Collaros was 28-of-35 passing for 359 yards and four TDs in rallying Hamilton to victory Monday night. Toronto converted four Ticats turnovers into 24 points en route to a 27-7 lead before being outscored 32-6 in the second half.

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press