Maple Leafs, Raptors, Jays, Argos: Toronto Fans Look to Interesting Offseasons

The Raptors arrived into the 2007—2008 season with high expectations, coming off a division title the previous year. The Raptors were riding high, going six games over 500 with 15 games left but then came bad losses to the Knicks, Pacers and Bobcats and they finished an even 41-41, six wins less than the previous season. On top of that, add injuries to Chris Bosh, TJ Ford, and let’s not forget the TJ Ford—Jose Calderon starting point guard fiasco that ended in TJ Ford moping about starting time and Calderon unselfishly going to management and making Ford the starter.

Then came the playoffs, The Raptors were thought to have the best match—up in the first round in an Orlando team that clearly had the inferior point guard tandem to Ford—Calderon. In the end it turned out to be the Raptors point guards were inferior ad Jameer Nelson and Rashard Lewis ripped them to shreds.

Let’s not forget Dwight Howard averaging 20 points and 20 rebounds in the series and Hedo Turkoglu looking like the next reincarnation of Larry Bird. The end result was a five game loss to Orlando and the Raps being labeled as “soft as Cottenelle tissue” according to some NBA observers. Just like their MLSE counterparts, Colangelo and co have a lot of decisions and changes to make.

The Jays entered the 2008 season with high expectations as well. With a starting rotation consisting of Halladay, Marcum, McGowen, Burnett and Litsch and the new acquisitions of David Eckstein and Scott Rolen, this team was expected to compete for the AL East division title and have the best starting pitching in baseball.

Well, the jury is still out on how they will finish the season, but with a record of 17-21, they are good enough for last place in the division. The pitching has been spectacular, but they can’t hit if their lives depended on it. They could have a situation where they have the bases loaded with nobody out and still can’t cash in runs. The hitting is putrid, and Riccardi’s 7^thyear of his "5 year plan" will go down in flames, along with Riccardi if this continues throughout the season.

Now that leaves us with the Argos. With a new Quarterback and a new coach, and since the CFL season has not begun yet, why not be optimistic for a Toronto team to succeed? After all, a 0-0 start has every team thinking about championship glory.

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