ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO– This week we look at two defensive rookies that are making names for themselves in the CFL…
For the Argos to succeed this week, it will be of utmost importance for the Argos offensive line to key in on Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive end Alex Hall.
A CFL rookie, drafted out of St. Augustine’s, Hall has had a huge impact in his first season in the CFL. Hall leads the CFL in quarterback sacks with eight. He is tied at eight with the Lions’ Keron Williams.
Hall has also amassed 26 total tackles on the season and is a menace on the Blue Bombers defensive line.
The last time the Bombers played the Boatmen in week four, Hall had two tackles and also added a sack of Ricky Ray.
In talking to the media this week new starter Jarious Jackson noted that the Bombers do not often blitz, but rely on their front six to bring pressure. He was quoted as saying, ““Winnipeg is a team that has always been good in their front six. They don’t bring a lot of pressure, so it is just a testament to the types of athletes they have there and how they are able to use those athletes effectively.”
Though the Argos have only allowed 23 sacks this season (fourth least in the CFL), the Argos offensive line will need to step up this week to account for Hall.
The best solution to nullify Hall’s QB pressure could be for Jackson to use his scrambling ability. By scrambling out of the pocket, Jackson can limit sacks and even pick up extra first downs. In his CFL career, Jackson has amassed 1,098 yards rushing on 256 carries.
As discussed earlier this week on Argonauts.ca, linebacker Marcus Ball has been a dream fit in Double Blue.
The CFL rookie out of Memphis has been a force for the Argos on defence amassing 48 total tackles on the season. His 48 tackles are good for second on the team behind middle linebacker Robert McCune who sits at 62 tackles.
Ball has also added three special teams tackles and three sacks to his impressive rookie campaign.
This will be Ball’s first game against Winnipeg as he did not dress in the game in week 4 when the Bombers travelled to Rogers Centre.
Ball should be able to get to the quarterback this game as the Blue Bombers rank dead last in the league in sacks allowed with 34 against.
In Chris Jones’ new defence Ball has excelled and is enjoying playing the team game that Jones has tried to instill in the team. “Defensive backs are pushing linemen, and linemen are pushing linebackers,” said Ball. “We all know where our goals are, what we need to work for, and we just enjoy each other and come together and play.”
Look for Ball to excel this week against a questionable Bomber offence that ranks last in the league in TDs scored, Most Points Scored and Average Time of Possession with 23:38.