ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
Each week, argonauts.ca showcases one of the marquee matchups for fans to watch out for before the next Argos game. This week we take a look at the leaders of both teams’ offences in Kerry Joseph and Ricky Ray.
It has been an up and down season for Kerry Joseph in 2009. It’s one that saw him begin the year averaging just under 300 yards per game in the first three contests to being placed behind Cody Pickett for five straight weeks as the starter.
Since returning as the club’s #1 pivot, he has resurrected some of the numbers that had fallen off midway through the season and heading into the final third. In the last two contests, Joseph has averaged 286.5 yards passing and in the last contest he recorded a 125.6 passer rating.
In his last game against the Eskimos, the McNeese State product passed for his second best performance of the year, completing 25 passes for 331 yards and a touchdown.
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» Numbers:
16 Games Played (11 started)
175 Completions
315 Pass Attempts
1,127 Yards Passing
10 Touchdown Passes
The unmatched ‘meal ticket’ in Edmonton, veteran QB Ricky Ray is the one player that the Esks continue to live and die with. The former Grey Cup MVP has put together yet another superb season as he sits at the top of the CFL’s passing charts with 4,336 yards heading into Friday’s matchup with the Argos. He is also tied for third in the league (Henry Burris) in touchdown passes with 20 – only 4 behind the league leader Anthony Calvillo.
The cerebral but accurate quarterback has spread the wealth this season, connecting on passes with a total of 14 different receivers, including Fred Stamps (1,161 yards), Maurice Mann (917 yards) and Kamau Peterson (764 yards). Half (seven) of those receivers have recorded touchdowns while Ray has been under centre.
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» Numbers:
16 Games Played
360 Completions
536 Pass Attempts
4,336 Yards Passing
20 Touchdown passes