ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
MISSISSAUGA – Toronto Argonauts Head Coach Jim Barker is hoping that Cleo Lemon’s exit from the roster and Dalton Bell’s insertion into the starting lineup is as seamless as it can be.
Although easing Bell into the lineup against a Saskatchewan squad that has been on fire as of late is probably a lost notion, Barker sees comfort in the fact that he has witnessed similarities in both Lemon’s and Bell’s games.
“(Dalton) is very similar to Cleo in terms of the things he does,” said Barker. “The game plan is dictated by what Saskatchewan does. We are going to do the things that we do and Saskatchewan is going to do the things that they do so there is no real change in how we approach things. It is not like we are going from a pure pocket passer to a guy that is a run-first type of player. They are close enough in terms of their skill sets that we keep the same offence.”
Bell will have an advantage this week with the return of RB Cory Boyd, it’s an advantage that Lemon wasn’t so fortunate to have at his disposal in the last two contests.
Unlikely to phase Boyd, but interesting to note is that missing the last two games has forced him to sacrifice his league-lead in rushing yards as he now sits third behind Winnipeg’s Fred Reid (969) and Calgary’s Joffrey Reynolds (906). With 903 yards, another one-hundred yards performance this week will put Boyd over the 1,000 yard mark. It’s certainly an accomplishment for Boyd but also noteworthy for the organization that could record two consecutive seasons with 1,000-yard rushers for the first time since Michael Jenkins recorded two straight 1000-yard seasons in 2000 and 2001.
Should Boyd rush for 97 yards or more Saturday afternoon, he would become only the eighth player in club history to reach 1,000 yards and would be the fastest ever to do so (11 active games).
Boyd’s return will result in RB Anthony Alridge being moved to the practice roster. Alridge did a decent job in limited time in relief of Boyd, rushing for 47 yards on 12 carries.
Also of note is the status of DT Adriano Belli who has been placed back on the injured list for this week.
“[Belli] tried all week to go but he is just not ready,” Barker said. “I don’t want to put him out there and risk further injury.”
Other roster notes include Canadian QB Danny Brannagan and DB Michael Grant coming onto the 46-man roster while Lemon is added to the injured list. Brannagan will become the first Canadian quarterback since Eric Ursic (1994) to dress for a regular season Argos game. Also of note, this game features the first two picks from the 2010 CFL Canadian Draft. The first overall pick, Shomari Williams (Queen’s) will start at defensive end for Saskatchewan and second overall choice Joe Eppele (Washington St.) is expected to dress for Toronto as a backup offensive tackle and blocking tight end.
Kickoff is at 3:00 p.m. at Rogers Centre on Saturday as the Argos celebrate Kids Day. For tickets, please call 416-341-ARGO (2746) or click here to purchase online.