ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
MISSISSAUGA — After injuring his elbow in a mid-August tilt with the Montreal Alouettes, SB Jeremaine Copeland is ready to once again strap on the pads for the Double Blue. Although sitting out the last three games has been frustrating for the veteran receiver, perhaps no player is more relieved to see him return against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday than quarterback Cleo Lemon.
“’Cope is one of those guys that make everyone around him raise their level of play,” Lemon said. “I think that is the definition of a true leader and that is what he brings to the table.”
Copeland, who is coming off one of his most productive seasons last year has struggled to put up numbers that mirror that of his 2009 campaign in Calgary, but head coach Jim Barker stresses that his presence in the locker room and experience in the CFL far out-weigh the numbers that are found on the stats sheet.
“He is a guy that wins everywhere he goes, he knows what it takes to win and he brings a confidence, a swagger and a mentality of how to play receiver to the entire group,” said Barker.
Copeland’s return is much needed considering the Argos continue to struggle with injuries. Rookie receiver Ryan Christian has been placed on the nine-game injured list along with LB Tang Bacheyie who had surgery this week on his neck. The offensive line will have Chris Van Zeyl back but will be without Rob Murphy.
Then there is the absence of Cory Boyd which will undoubtedly have an effect on how the Boatmen run their offence. The Argos will likely go with a varied look in the backfield that will include participation by Andre Durie, Jeff Johnson, Bryan Crawford and newcomer Anthony Alridge.
Defensively, Sunday will mark the debut of DE Ricky Foley who joined the team this week after a failed tryout in the National Football League. Despite only having a few practices under his belt, Foley feels like he is ready to step in and be a contributor.
“It’s a great bunch of guys here but I just need to go out there and execute and have confidence in what we can do (as a defence).”
Foley is listed behind DE Ronald Flemons on the Argos’ depth chart for this week but it is easy for one to assume that there is a good chance that he will be part of a rotation in the front four rather than being relegated to backup in his first game.
Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. at Rogers Centre on Purolator Tackle Hunger day. For more information on how you can donate at the stadium, please click here. The Argos will also honour DE Ed Harrington as he becomes the 21st member inducted as an All-Time Argo during a halftime ceremony.