ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO– This week we look at a former Argonaut and a current Argos rookie in our head-2-head showdown…
Former Argonaut and CFL veteran Arland Bruce III will be facing his former team once again this Saturday, now in his 12th year playing his 169th game. He had three receptions for 39 yards against Toronto earlier this season.
Last week, Bruce saw himself make four catches for 60 yards, eclipsing his average of 50.5 yards per game. With Bruce’s age creeping up on him, he has yet to record a 100+ yard game this year. A feat he has accomplished 27 times in his career. His largest yardage output game this season had him bringing in just 93 yards, though he has amassed four TDs to emerge as a favourite red zone target of QB Travis Lulay.
Bruce is also going to have a difficult time going up against the Toronto defence, as the league’s leading “thief” stands in the secondary. Argos CB Pat Watkins is currently tied for the league lead in interceptions with four, having returned one last week for a pick-six versus Hamilton. It was the Argos second pick-six in as many weeks as CB Ahmad Carroll performed the same feat against Hamilton in the Labour Day Classic.
With Bruce working out of the slot, he is sure to see coverage from the whole Argos defence including both CBs mentioned above in addition to FS Jordan Younger (three INTs this season), CB Pacino Horne (one INT) and HB Evan McCollough (one INT).
With the whole Argos secondary acting as ball hawks this season, Lulay will have to be careful when chucking the ball up to his receivers, including Bruce.
Dontrelle Inman has already made a name for himself with the Toronto Argonauts, and as of week 11, he has only played in 10 professional CFL games. Inman consistently makes one highlight reel grab a game for the Argos and has broken out in his rookie campaign as one of Ray’s go-to receivers.
At the ripe age of 23, Inman has brought athleticism, high-flying catches, and great hands to the Argos offence. Inman has two 100+ yard games so far this season while averaging 52.4 yards per game. His top game in Double Blue saw him catch eight balls for 117 yards against Edmonton in week 8.
To go along with his stellar rookie numbers, Inman has five 30+ yard catches, which ties him for fourth in the league. He is also tied for sixth in league in 2nd down receptions for a 1st down with 12. This ranking puts him alongside CFL All-Stars such as Nik Lewis, S.J. Green, and teammate Chad Owens.
Inman will have to step his game up this week, as the Lions have only allowed six touchdowns over the last six games, while producing 17. Four out of the six touchdowns came in one game, back on August 31st against Montreal so the B.C. defence is tough to say the least. B.C. has allowed one TD or less in 7 out of their 10 games this season so for the Argos to punch through and win in BC for this first time in over a decade, it will be important for them to find the end zone.
Look for bracketed coverage from the Lions secondary including some one-on-one matchups with former Argonaut Byron Parker. If Inman is able to find a seem and get open deep, Ray has the arm to throw over the top and hit Inman in stride, much like he did against Edmonton and Calgary earlier this season. The trick for Inman is to produce on the road as he has had great success at the Rogers Centre (3 TD at home vs. none on the Road).
With a new found spread attack and Ricky Ray’s increased completion percentage of late, getting The Rubiks Cube Master going in B.C. should be no problem.