ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
On Saturday evening, it will be one year less a day since Dominique Dorsey last caught a ball in an Argos uniform. After suffering a Week 13 injury against the Calgary Stampeders in 2008, the mighty running back and kick returner regained his health, participated in the Washington Redskins pre-season and has since returned to the Argos looking to make an immediate impact on a struggling Toronto punt return game when the Double Blue lock up with the B.C. Lions Saturday night at B.C. Place.
After a week of practice with his old/new team, the only thing left to decide is who is more excited – Dorsey or his fellow Argos.
“Anytime a player gets in his own comfort zone and given an opportunity to play with the confidence of the guys around you, it is a beautiful thing. I am just glad and excited to be looked upon to be able to contribute in any way that they ask me to”.
– RB/KR Dominique Dorsey on his return to the Argos lineup
“Anytime a player gets in his own comfort zone and given an opportunity to play with the confidence of the guys around you, it is a beautiful thing. I am just glad and excited to be looked upon to be able to contribute in any way that they ask me to”, Dorsey said to the media after his final workout before heading to B.C.
A running back by position but a kick returner by trade, Dorsey’s return, at the very least, gives the Argos a boost of confidence on a special teams unit that had been searching for Dorsey’s suitable replacement all season long.
“It gives us a bit more of a mental edge”, said LB Jason Pottinger. “We have been trying so many different returners and a lot of them have done a good job for us but to have that specialty guy back there leading the way, I think, will make a big difference ”.
The UNLV product enters his third season with the Argos and was undoubtedly the Double Blue’s most dynamic player last year, finishing tops in the league with 2,892 all-purpose yards, despite missing five games due to injury.
Dorsey’s addition will be one of a number of lineup changes for the Argos. The newly re-signed Jerome Mathis, who was originally brought in to supplant Dorsey at the kick returner spot before suffering an injury, will make his Argos debut at starting slotback as P.K. Sam heads to the injured list with a sore shoulder. Mathis joins a receiving corps that is slowly but surely coming together with the contributions of newcomers Chad Lucas and most recently, Jason Carter, who led all receivers with 94 yards last week versus Hamilton.
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In addition to Sam’s injury, the Boatmen will also be without two key non-imports as both LB Ray Fontaine and rookie DT Etienne Legare sit out with injury’s. Defensive tackle Adrian Davis will return to the lineup and LB Kyle Jones will make his debut as a result.
Legare, who has seen his playing time increase in recent weeks, will hopefully not stall the Argos defence in his absence as Head Coach Bart Andrus told the media Thursday that he was encouraged by their play last week.
“Our defence is playing with confidence right now”, Andrus said. “I think we are tackling well, we have a good pass rush, good pass defence and maybe this is the week that we catch a few interceptions”.
Andrus and the Argos make their only trip to B.C. this year on Saturday night with kickoff scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET at B.C. Place Stadium. The game can be seen on TSN or heard on the Fan 590 or Sirius Satellite Radio. Fans can also follow the game as it happens on argonauts.ca by using CFL Live Play with up-to-the-minute results and stats.