Xs and Argos Podcast

Ben Grant and JB
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Football
  • Semiweekly

Hosts Ben Grant and JB take you through the Toronto Argonauts season with previews, postgame reactions, chalk talk, the occasional therapy session, and complete coverage of everything Double Blue.

  1. 1d ago

    Pregame Walkthrough — Eastern Semi-Final: Winnipeg at Toronto

    The regular season is over. The playoffs are here. And the road to the Grey Cup begins at BMO Field. The Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers both finished the regular season at 9-9, but those identical records don't begin to tell the whole story. On Saturday afternoon, two familiar rivals will meet in the Eastern Semi-Final, with a trip to Montreal and a spot in the Eastern Final on the line. Ben Grant and JB are back for a special playoff edition of the Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough, and there's no shortage of things to discuss. First, there's some enormous news surrounding Chad Kelly, who has signed a five-year contract extension that will keep him in Double Blue for the foreseeable future. The guys break down the financial details, what the deal means for Toronto's salary cap, and why Kelly deserves to be recognized among the greatest quarterbacks in Argonauts history. There's also a more personal side to the story, as Kelly announces the creation of his foundation dedicated to supporting youth mental health, along with an expanded partnership between the Argos and Toronto Flag Football. Toronto also has several players in contention for CFL year-end awards, including rookie sensation Tyler Kahmann and defensive standout Adarius Pickett. And with no Argonaut having won the league's Most Outstanding Defensive Player award since Jim Corrigall in 1975, could Pickett finally end that remarkable drought? Then it's time to get down to football. Toronto's league-leading passing attack against Winnipeg's top-ranked pass defence. The CFL's most productive pass rush against an offensive line that's allowed more sacks than anyone. And Brady Oliveira, the league's leading rusher, against a Toronto defence that has performed well against lead backs not named Oliveira. The matchups couldn't be much more compelling. With Chad Kelly and Dru Brown both appearing likely to start, Ben and JB dig into the offensive strategies each team should employ, the adjustments the opposing defences might make, and the chess match that could ultimately decide the game. There's also a fascinating special-teams battle brewing. Both regular-season meetings featured enormous missed-field-goal returns, including Janarion Grant's spectacular 128-yard touchdown against his former team. Could another game-changing special-teams play be waiting on Saturday? Of course, the guys have a full Game Preview and Injury Report, along with OCDC, One Thing, and the final results of this season's Put Me Down for 20 and Challenge Flag. Two teams. Identical records. One chance to advance. It's the Xs and Argos Eastern Semi-Final Pregame Walkthrough, proudly brought to you by BEAR Steak Sandwiches, the official steak sandwich of the Toronto Argonauts!

  2. 6d ago

    Postgame Reaction — Montreal 33, Toronto 16

    The regular season is over, and the Argos are headed to the playoffs. But after a 33-16 loss to the Montreal Alouettes, Toronto may have picked up a few more injuries than it can afford. With both teams resting a number of starters and Toronto dressing 15 new faces, Friday night's regular-season finale at BMO Field was never going to be a showcase of either team's best football. Instead, it was an opportunity to evaluate some young talent, give inexperienced players valuable game reps, and hopefully get through the night healthy. The first two objectives went reasonably well. The third? Not so much. There were certainly some encouraging performances. Quarterback Tucker Horn made the most of his opportunity, completing 20 of 26 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Dymere Miller was one of the night's brightest offensive stars, hauling in seven passes for 115 yards, including a spectacular 71-yard touchdown reception. And much of that offensive success started up front, where fifth-round draft picks Domenico Piazza and Frank Vreugdenhil provided some impressive protection, giving Horn the time he needed to operate. On defence, Nic Toomer was outstanding. The defensive back flashed his athleticism with some terrific open-field tackles, impressive work in coverage, and an interception that capped off a very encouraging performance. But unfortunately, the biggest story of the night wasn't what Toronto's young players accomplished. It was how many Argos ended up getting helped off the field. Derek Slywka, Makai Polk, Da'Marcus Johnson, Sam Hicks, Nolan Ulm, Paris Shand and Nic Toomer all suffered injuries during the game. Some appeared more concerning than others, but with the playoffs just around the corner, losing any players in a relatively meaningless regular-season finale is hardly the outcome Toronto was hoping for. Ben Grant and JB break down what they know about the injuries, which young players made the strongest impressions, and what the performances of Horn, Miller, Toomer and Toronto's inexperienced offensive linemen might mean moving forward. There's also the matter of the playoffs. With the regular season officially in the books, the Argos now await their East Semi-Final opponent, with Winnipeg, Saskatchewan and Calgary all part of the playoff picture heading into the final weekend. Toronto will host the East Semi-Final next Saturday, October 31, at 1:00 p.m. ET, and the stakes are about to get considerably higher. The exhibition-like atmosphere of Friday night's finale is behind us. The evaluation opportunities are over. And now the Argos have one week to get healthy and prepare for the games that really matter.

  3. Oct 22

    Pregame Walkthrough — Week 21: Montreal at Toronto

    Ben Grant and JB are back for the final regular-season edition of the Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough, getting you set for Friday night's matchup with the Montreal Alouettes at BMO Field. First, there's the biggest question hanging over Toronto's playoff preparations: How concerned should we be about Chad Kelly? The Argos quarterback has been ruled out for the regular-season finale after suffering an injury in Ottawa, and the guys discuss everything they know about his condition and what it could mean for the upcoming East Semi-Final. There's also a complicated West Division playoff picture to sort through, along with several roster moves, including the addition of former NFL linebacker Vi Jones. Then it's time to talk about game management. After a frustrating finish in Ottawa, the guys take a closer look at why seemingly obvious clock-management mistakes continue to plague not just Toronto, but professional football in general. From the CFL to the NFL, even some of the most experienced coaches in the game get these decisions wrong. Why does it happen so often, and what makes managing the final minutes of a football game so difficult? Then Ben and JB dig into the extraordinary level of detail that goes into film study, from identifying subtle player tendencies and individual tells to uncovering an opponent's defensive rules and exploiting them. It's a fascinating look at the chess match behind the game, and why teams headed for the playoffs might prefer to keep a few things hidden. There's also a full Game Preview and Injury Report, a look at three Argos players worth keeping an eye on Friday night, and details on Fan Appreciation Night, including $1 hot dogs and some major merchandise discounts at BMO Field. The playoffs are almost here, but there's still plenty to discuss before the regular season is in the books.

  4. Oct 17

    Postgame Reaction — Ottawa 40, Toronto 39

    The Argos lost the game. But the real concern is WHO they may have lost along the way. In a wild Friday night affair in Ottawa, the Redblacks scored a touchdown in the final seconds to escape with a 40-39 victory over Toronto. It was a thrilling finish to a game that ultimately meant nothing for the Argonauts, but the result was hardly the biggest story. With a home playoff game just two weeks away, Toronto's primary objective was to get through the night healthy. That didn't happen. Chad Kelly went down with what appeared to be a knee injury before he even had an opportunity to throw a pass. The Argos' starting quarterback left the game, leaving Nick Arbuckle to take over and raising an enormous question about Kelly's availability for the playoffs. And he wasn't the only one. Adarius Pickett, the leading candidate for the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player award, also left the game with an injury and didn't return. So did Janarion Grant, one of the league's top special teams performers. Three enormously important players, all forced out of a game Toronto didn't particularly need to win. As for the football itself, there was plenty to like about the Argos' performance. Arbuckle stepped in and delivered another strong outing, completing 27 of 35 passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns. Kevin Mital was outstanding, hauling in six passes for 110 yards and two scores, as Toronto put up 39 points despite losing its starting quarterback almost immediately. And yet, somehow, 39 points weren't enough. With the Argos seemingly in position to escape Ottawa with a victory, some questionable late-game management gave the Redblacks one final opportunity. And they made the most of it, marching 67 yards in just 27 seconds for the winning touchdown. The coaching decisions deserve scrutiny, but the players weren't without blame. A costly roughing-the-passer penalty and a huge quarterback run helped Ottawa cover the field in a matter of seconds, turning what looked like a Toronto victory into a stunning defeat. It wasn't a heartbreaking loss. But it was eyebrow-raising. The Argos showed they could move the football with Arbuckle under centre, and there were encouraging performances from players getting opportunities to prove themselves. But with the playoffs rapidly approaching, the health of Kelly, Pickett and Grant overshadows just about everything else. Ben Grant breaks down the injuries, Arbuckle's performance, the defensive breakdowns, and the late-game decisions that helped Ottawa steal a victory on the latest Xs and Argos Postgame Reaction. Because with two weeks until the playoffs, the biggest question isn't why Toronto lost. It's who will be available when the games matter.

  5. Oct 15

    Pregame Walkthrough — Week 20: Toronto at Ottawa

    With just two weeks remaining in the CFL regular season, the Argonauts are headed to Ottawa for a matchup with the Redblacks. But with Toronto's playoff position already secure, how much does winning this game really matter? Ben Grant and JB are back for another edition of the Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough, and this week there's plenty to discuss beyond the game itself. The Argos have added Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton to their negotiation list. He's the starting quarterback of the NCAA's top-ranked college football team, but does that make him a realistic CFL prospect? The guys explain why the economics of modern college football, the NFL's willingness to keep developing big-name quarterbacks, and the type of adversity quarterbacks face in college all suggest this is a long shot. Then it's back to the one-yard line. After Toronto's costly short-yardage failures against BC, the debate over quarterback sneaks continues. Ben has crunched the numbers from around the CFL, and the results might surprise anyone convinced there's a better way to score from the one, including JB. With the playoffs approaching, the guys also revisit the West Division crossover picture. Winnipeg, Saskatchewan and Calgary are all potential East Semi-Final opponents, but which would present the toughest challenge for Toronto? And is there really much difference between them? Then there's the matter of the final two regular-season games. Should the Argos prioritize winning, resting key players, experimenting with personnel, or fixing the things that haven't worked all season? Ben and JB discuss how Toronto should approach the stretch run with November football in mind. Of course, there's also a full Game Preview and Injury Report ahead of Saturday's matchup in Ottawa, along with another edition of Put Me Down for 20 and Challenge Flag. And it's the final Pick Six of the regular season, featuring a question about AJ Ouellette's unusual accusation concerning the BMO Field grass, plus the draw for a signed Adam Guillemette jersey! The playoffs are almost here, but there's still plenty to sort out. It's the Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough!

  6. Oct 8

    Bye Week Mailbag Special!

    For this Bye Week Special, we're turning the show over to the listeners for a jam-packed mailbag featuring some terrific questions about the Argos, the CFL, and the finer points of football strategy. And where better to start than Toronto's recent short-yardage struggles? Why would a team voluntarily kick off to start the second half? Why don't more offences use an up-tempo, no-huddle attack to prevent defensive substitutions? And if second-and-inches is practically a free play, why not take a shot downfield instead of simply moving the chains? Ben also tackles questions about Toronto's remarkable ability to uncover hidden talent, the biggest priorities for the coaching staff heading toward the playoffs, controversial tackling techniques, CFL replay rules, and some of the quirks that make Canadian football unique. Plus, there's another edition of Put Me Down for 20, and Ben throws down a Challenge Flag before wrapping things up. It's the Xs and Argos Bye Week Special, brought to you by Something in the Water Brewing!

  7. Oct 3

    Postgame Reaction — BC 24, Toronto 17

    The Argos came up one yard short. With Chad Kelly sitting this one out because of his hand injury, Nick Arbuckle stepped in and played well enough to give Toronto a chance to knock off one of the hottest teams in the CFL. But after driving all the way to the BC one-yard line in the final minute, the Argos were stopped on second and third down, ending a 24-17 Lions victory at BMO Field. JB is back alongside Ben Grant for the Xs and Argos Postgame Reaction, and there's plenty to unpack from a game Toronto easily could have won. Start with the defence, because it was outstanding. Nathan Rourke and a dangerous BC offence never reached the end zone. The Lions were forced to settle for eight field goals, several of them after drives stalled deep in Toronto territory. Rourke completed just 15 of 32 passes, and the Argos defence repeatedly kept the game within reach. They also deserved a little better luck. BC put the football on the ground four different times - and recovered every one of them. Instead of potentially game-changing takeaways for Toronto, the Lions kept possession each time and escaped without paying for their mistakes. On offence, Arbuckle acquitted himself very well in Kelly's absence, completing 27 of 33 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns. Dave Ungerer III had a huge afternoon with 12 catches for 124 yards and a touchdown, and Toronto moved the ball well enough to have an opportunity to tie the game in the final seconds. Unfortunately, the turnovers mattered. Arbuckle was careless with one throw that was intercepted, while his second pick came on one of the strangest plays you'll see - a tipped ball that Arbuckle tried to knock down, only for it to land in the hands of a BC defender lying on the turf. And yet, despite all of it, Toronto still had a chance. Trailing by seven, Arbuckle marched the Argos down the field in the final minutes and got them to the BC one-yard line. But on third down, Toronto couldn't punch it in. One yard. Ben and JB break down the defence, Arbuckle's performance, the turnovers, some rotten luck and that final sequence on the latest Xs and Argos Postgame Reaction.

  8. Oct 1

    Pregame Walkthrough — Lions at Argonauts

    Two of the hottest teams in the CFL collide at BMO Field. With JB away, 3DownNation's JC Abbott joins Ben Grant as the BC Lions, winners of seven of their last eight, come to Toronto to face an Argonauts team that has quietly won seven of its last nine. And there's another trend working in Toronto's favour: BC has won just once in Toronto over the last decade. Is there anything behind the Lions' struggles when they make the trip east? The show starts with the biggest concern of the week: Chad Kelly's throwing hand. Kelly finished last week's dramatic win in Winnipeg, but sat out Tuesday's practice with a hand injury. Ben and JC look at a couple of plays where the injury may have occurred and discuss what we know about his status heading into Saturday. Then there's the CFL's secret trade deadline - or at least that's what it felt like. The deadline came and went with remarkably little fanfare, so what did the Argos do, what didn't they do, and was there an area of the roster Toronto should have tried to address before the playoffs? There are a couple of intriguing additions to discuss as well. Former Oregon and Missouri defensive tackle Kristian Williams joins the Argos after spending time with the Denver Broncos. Ben went back to Williams' college film and found a potential CFL nose tackle. And a familiar face is back in Double Blue, with Ali Fayad returning to Toronto.  Then Ben sits down with Dr. David Greenberg, Head General Practitioner for the Toronto Argonauts, for a special conversation about sleep, travel and athletic performance. The Lions will cross three time zones for a 3 p.m. ET kickoff - noon according to their West Coast body clocks. How much can that actually matter? Dr. Greenberg explains what happens when athletes travel across time zones, how teams can prepare, and what all of us can learn about sleep and recovery. Plus, we've got Pick Six, the Injury Report, OCDC, One Thing, Put Me Down for 20, and Challenge Flag! It's BC and Toronto, two of the hottest teams in the CFL, and we've got you covered on the Xs and Argos Pregame Walkthrough.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Hosts Ben Grant and JB take you through the Toronto Argonauts season with previews, postgame reactions, chalk talk, the occasional therapy session, and complete coverage of everything Double Blue.

Information

  • Creator
    Ben Grant and JB
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Xs and Argos 2019
  • Show Website
    Xs and Argos Podcast

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