ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
MISSISSAUGA – A shuffling in the Argonauts’ receiving corps has turned Brandon Rideau from forgotten man to go-to man.
The sophomore receiver entered Toronto’s training camp last month in a battle to take a coveted starting wide receiver spot. Maybe not the odds on favourite heading into camp, Rideau is proving early on that the Argos made the right choice in settling on the Kansas product at that position.
Rideau didn’t really give his club much choice in the matter; he hauled in four catches for 162 yards and one touchdown in what was likely his final audition in the club’s second pre-season game in Winnipeg. He separated himself from the pack that game and affirmed the club’s decision a week later when he guided an over-the-shoulder touchdown toss into his hands for the Argos’ first major of the regular season.
Rideau admits there is no magic formula or single moment that moved him to the forefront of the Argos’ offence. He does, however, credit his position with helping him achieve some early success.
“The main thing would be the position change,” Rideau said. “It’s a lot closer to the quarterback and the boundary…so when [Cleo Lemon] gets in a situation where he is looking around for a guy he will naturally look to the short side of the field.”
Slotback was Rideau’s primary position last season. He spent most of that time on the wide side of the field and veteran Jeremaine Copeland manned the short side slot.
Rideau showed promise in his first season in Toronto, entering camp as a big target with good enough speed to get to the outside when needed. After a decent start, the 28-year-old’s production fell off and by the time the season’s second half rolled around, he found himself as the odd man out of the offence. He was often assigned as one of the four designated healthy scratches.
Jumping in and out of the lineup last season clearly affected his rhythm with the offence and yielded any continuity he and quarterback Cleo Lemon were trying to build. Early on, however, Rideau already feels more confident this season, not only in himself, but in his relationship with those around him.
“Yeah, I fell a bit more confident. It is mostly because of the second year and being more used to the guys,” he said. “It is just making plays, which is big, so when [Cleo Lemon] comes to me he can trust that I will make a play. We are kind of used to each other now so he knows what I would do in a certain situation and I know what he is looking for in a certain situation, and it helps the offence flow.”
Rideau’s growth as a receiver is somewhat indicative of the Argos offence as a whole – it has started off a bit stronger than some would have imagined but still has a long way to go. Playing at the level he has shown in the pre-season, and then into the regular season is a big step for a player that has, and still does, show a lot of promise. His biggest challenge is consistently contributing game in and game out at a high level.
His next opportunity to do so will come this Friday night when the Argos aim to start off the season with back-to-back wins as they return to Winnipeg to face Buck Pierce and the Blue Bombers.