The Argonauts head to Regina for Sunday’s rematch against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, knowing they can hang their proverbial hat on the play of their defence.
While the offence has been inconsistent in its ability to finish off drives with touchdowns and the return and kicking games have yet to stand out, the 2-2 Boatmen have made strides on the defensive side of the ball under first-year co-ordinator Corey Mace.
In their season opener against the visiting Alouettes, the Argos D produced a two-and-out on the first series of the game, but then couldn’t get off the field the rest of the night.
But the more reps players got, the better the unit began to play and it was because of the defence that Toronto beat the Riders 30-24 in the Touchdown Atlantic event last weekend in Nova Scotia.
The Argos D recorded five sacks and produced three interceptions, including the game winner on a late pick- six by linebacker Wynton McManis.
While it’s far from a finished product and big plays were yielded last week at Acadia, Toronto’s defence is trending in the right direction and will need another big effort — in particular slowing down Riders running back Jamal Morrow, who broke off a 51-yard dash last Saturday against them en route to 106 total yards rushing and receiving.
McManis broke into the CFL in Calgary, where Mace was defensive line coach with the Stampeders. Mace recalled following Friday’s practice how the Stamps first auditioned McManis at rush end before deciding linebacker would be his home on defence.
He even remembers a time in Calgary when McManis had to fill in at defensive end.
“He had two sacks,’’ said Mace.
Another positive for the Toronto defence was the return from a three-game suspension of all-star linebacker Chris Edwards.
“He brought that energy,’’ said Mace of Edwards, whom he was already familiar with when the linebacker played for Edmonton and B.C., before signing with Toronto last year.
“He holds guys accountable and he’s a playmaker waiting to happen. We’re all pretty pleased to have C.E. back in the building.”
Mace played the game and knows the key for any co-ordinator is to put players in the right position to maximize their skill set. And having Edwards back only provides him with more options in dialing up different schemes.
“He’s coming off an all-star season for a reason, because he’s a talented player,’’ added Mace. “It certainly helps to have him on your team.”
Edwards and McManis are each capable of changing a game’s momentum. As evidenced by last week’s pick-six, both are adept at producing game-winning moments. Edwards returned two interceptions last season for touchdowns.
CAGE OUT, AGAIN
One game into his return and Isiah Cage will be back on the sideline, paving the way for Trevon Tate to line up at left offensive tackle in Regina on Sunday.
Last week against the Riders, Cage played for the first time since the 2019 season.
But the game rust was obvious and, by Friday’s practice, he wasn’t able to take part in any activities.
Cage, when healthy, is regarded as the Argos’ top O-lineman. He was on his way back from an ankle injury when he got dinged-up again during training camp and had to miss the first three games.
“Isiah will be down this week,’’ said head coach Ryan Dinwiddie. “Unfortunately he had a setback from his previous injury. Time to go with Tate and we feel like Tate will do a good job.”
FAJARDO BACK?
One-time Argos quarterback Cody Fajardo is nursing a sore knee for the Riders, though he didn’t seem to have any ill effects when running full speed trying to track down McManis on his interception.
Fajardo also tested positive for COVID this week — one of 13 players and staff members to land in protocols, forcing cancellation of two practices and moving the Argos game to Sunday. Had the game gone on as scheduled on Saturday, Fajardo would not have been able to pass the protocols.
Coach Craig Dickenson said that Fajardo could play on Sunday but that third-stringer Jake Dolegala would likely get the start against the Argos.
GENDER INFRACTION
Argos defensive lineman Eli Mencer was suspended one game for making derogatory comments towards an official last weekend.
Mencer was the victim of a hellacious hit that went unnoticed by the officials and suffered a concussion on the play.
Unsavoury words are expressed on virtually every play by players towards an official. But the official in question was a female, as if gender should matter.
Without coming out and saying it publicly, on the surface, it would appear, the CFL did allow gender to play a factor.
fzicarelli@postmedia.com
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