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The Argonauts can't even get the spoiler thing right.
The bits of ugliness that have been the Argos' downfall this season, from penalties to mistakes, came together to form a large hole in the first half last night against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Rather than punch a hole in the Ticats' playoff hopes, the Argos stumbled to a 20-point deficit from which they could not drag themselves, losing 26-17 to Hamilton in front of announced crowd of 25,352 at the Rogers Centre.
The loss stuck in the craw of linebacker Zeke Moreno, who appeared to have the Argos' first defensive touchdown of 2009 when he intercepted a Kevin Glenn pass and returned it 45 yards on the Ticats' first offensive play of the game. But Argos tackle Kevin Huntley was called for offside, negating the play.
"I don't really like to complain about officiating, but there were so many calls in this game that kind of makes me wonder how much effort and time these officials put into scouting and watching film," Moreno said. "It feels like we are targeted. It is such a shame because we put so much effort into it."
The win was large for the Ticats, who improved to 7-9 and moved two points up on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for second place in the East Division. With cross-over implications from the West Division, it's possible the third-place team in the East will not make the playoffs. The Bombers, 6-9, play host to the Montreal Alouettes this afternoon.
The Ticats were led in receiving by ex-Argo Arland Bruce, who had five catches for 96 yards but no touchdowns.
"That's the start of getting ready for the playoffs," Bruce said. "That's the start of something changing for us."
Two good things oozed out of the Argos' 11th loss in 12 games and sixth in a row. Running back Jamal Robertson became the sixth Argo in team history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, and when Jason Carter caught a Kerry Joseph pass in the flat and turned it into a 95-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, it marked the longest play from scrimmage for the Argos this year.
"I'm definitely proud of it," Robertson said of his milestone. "It's good for myself and the organization, but when you can have a million yards and zero wins, it is hard to get excited about it."
But the bottom line is the Argos, the most penalized team in the CFL, did more than enough to hurt themselves again. That's not the sign of a team that's improving, it's simply another indication of a team that is bad.
Adriano Belli and Dovonte Edwards were flagged on the same play in the second quarter for different transgressions, giving Hamilton 28 yards and first down at the Toronto one-yard line. Quarterback Adam Tafralis, in on short yardage, jumped in for a touchdown.
And when linebacker Kevin Eiben was called for facemasking in the second quarter, the Argos lost 15 yards and two plays later Glenn hit DeAndra' Cobb for a 12-yard touchdown pass.
Owners David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski weren't at their customary spot beside the Argos bench. It might have been the penultimate chance for the duo to get up close and personal with their players, as there's just one home game left and the lingering suspicion that they will sell the team to David Braley during the off-season.
At 3-13, the Argos are two losses away from their worst showing since 1993, when they went 3-15 under two coaches -- Dennis Meyer and Bob O'Billovich.
"We got two weeks to go," Joseph said. "On Nov. 8, my attitude is we can start getting ready for next year."
TERRY.KOSHAN@SUNMEDIA.CA