Heavy is the head that wears the title of head coach. In his five-year, off-and-on, tenure as Argos head coach, Pinball Clemons has made significant decisions, none as critical than Thursday's game against the Montreal Alouettes at the SkyDome.

His decision not to field his best players affected the game's outcome, which the Als won 58-20.

Blitzed by criticism they charged full price for tickets but didn't dress several starters and played many backups in their place, the Argos responded in a classy way yesterday.

Anyone with a proof of purchase will be able to redeem it for a comparable ticket to any regular-season game in 2005. With an announced crowd of 31,212 -- the largest of the season -- that translates into an awful lot of freebies next year.

Ultimately, it is the head coach who must take sole responsibility. On the opposite side of the field, Als head coach Don Matthews played his starters for most of the game, even though Montreal had already clinched first place.

Realizing his team needed an important tuneup because it would not be playing for another 17 days in the Eastern Division final, Matthews played his starters and kept them in the game for a long time.

Matthews did not want to comment afterward on what his counterpart did, only to suggest it has always been his philosophy in such circumstances to play his best players.

Clemons had to evaluate the fact his team clinched homefield advantage in their third game in 10 days, then a week later had to play the Als. The game meant little in the standings to the Argos, even though they had lost twice to the Als and would have to go through Montreal to get to the Grey Cup.

Clemons is surrounded by veteran football lieutenants, such as vice-president of football operations Adam Rita, personnel director Greg Mohns and defensive co-ordinator/assistant head coach Rich Stubler, but ultimately it was his decision.

Clemons' focus was principally on this Friday's semi-final against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at the SkyDome.

From a football point of view, not necessarily from a public relations perspective, he did the right thing.

If the Argos lose to Hamilton, he will be open to criticism. If his team wins, he will be vindicated.

That's a fine line for someone who has forged enormous good will in the community and the organization, but that's life as a head coach.

Clemons has to be evaluated solely on his decisions, no different than, egads, John Huard or Gary Etcheverry, both of whom preceded him and were subjected to massive amounts of second-guessing for some of their moves.

CAN DO NO WRONG?

On many occasions, Clemons has been spared criticism because of his hallowed reputation. Then again, he has won more games as a head coach than he has lost and this year set a personal record for victories in a season with 10.

It will be interesting to see what Tiger-Cats rookie head coach Greg Marshall does in today's away game against the Ottawa Renegades. The game is equally meaningless for Marshall in the standings and, in fact, puts his team at a disadvantage because they have less time than the Argos to prepare for the semi-final.

Marshall is expected to play his starters, but not as long as Matthews did. It is all about surviving the game physically in the best possible shape. The fact his team is playing on the road means Marshall doesn't have the same dilemma Clemons did playing at home, nor will the Tiger-Cats have to offer any refunds, alibis or apologies.