ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
MONCTON — The classic argument surrounding who is the most important player on the football team is usually won by the person who suggests the quarterback. If that is the case, a valid argument could be that the second most important may be the one protecting the quarterback – the backside offensive tackle.
The Argonauts will have their most tenacious and veteran offensive lineman back in the lineup this week as left tackle Rob Murphy returns for the first time since injuring himself on Labour Day when they host the Edmonton Eskimos this Sunday in Moncton, New Brunswick.
Murphy’s return, combined with that of LG Cedric Gagne-Marcoux, will bring the Argos’ offensive line back to the form that they were in before the injury bug first started to bite back in early August.
“It brings consistency and the rest of the team can lean on us,” Murphy said of the o-line’s new-found health. “We consider ourselves a strong point on our team and now that everyone is back and we are going on all cylinders, people can buy into what we are selling. We want to run the ball and establish a physical game.”
Murphy’s desire to run the ball has changed in recent weeks since a concussion has kept star running back Cory Boyd out of the lineup. Last week, the Argos shared the ball with four different backs, as well as QB Cleo Lemon, and combined for a total of 166 yards. The totals were actually above Boyd’s per game average but didn’t make up for the CFL rookie’s ability to sustain drives with his hard, bruising style.
The emphasis this week may lay more on newcomer Anthony Alridge who will start at tailback and, despite his differing running style, Murphy is confident that the offensive line can adapt to Alridge’s game.
“He’s a smaller guy and he is going to hit the holes a bit differently,” said Murphy. “He is more of a water-bug type running back which, to be honest, is a little easier to block for. He can find holes where as Cory shoves it down your throat. Truly, with him back there he can go for 80 yards on any given play so it’s exciting.”
With Alridge’s presence giving the Argos a bit more comfort in the running game, they are hoping that the return of WR Reggie McNeal will do the same in the passing game. The third-year Argo will make his 2010 debut, starting at receiver, after missing the majority of training camp and all of the regular season with an injury.
McNeal’s return combined with the presence of WR Jeremaine Copeland finally gives Lemon a healthy starting receiving corps, one that was planned from the outset of training camp.
The Argos made two other roster moves on the eve of their battle with the Esks, adding Adrian Davis to the nine-game injured list and placing DB Joshua Abrams on the one-game injured list.
Kickoff is at 12:00 p.m. ET, 1:00 p.m. AT, at Stade Moncton Stadium in Moncton, NB on Sunday as the Argos and the CFL close out the first ever Scotiabank Touchdown Atlantic. Following the game, the Argos will return home to take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Rogers Centre on October 2. For tickets, please call 416-341-ARGO or click here to purchase online.