ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO– This week we look at two slotbacks looking to make a difference on Thanksgiving…
In his fifth season with Saskatchewan, Weston Dressler has been a key receiver for the Riders. In four out of his five seasons, he has caught for over 1,000 yards, and has already reached the 1,000 yard mark in 2012. Currently, Dressler sits fourth in the CFL is receiving yards with exactly 1,000.
Dressler is also a huge red zone target for Darian Durant as he is first in the league in touchdowns with nine. He is also second in the league in number of catches with 77.
Despite Dressler’s success so far in 2012, he is going up against one of the top defenses in the league this Thanksgiving. Dressler has yet to see the Argonauts defense this year, so he will have no idea what to expect. With the league’s leading pick-pocketer Pat Watkins, he will definitely have to be careful running his routes. Pacino Horne, and T.J. Williams will also have to be two players Dressler looks out for as they each saw themselves picking off the ball last week against Winnipeg.
Last season the Argos had mixed results against Dressler as they limited him to four receptions for 23 yards in one meeting. However, Dressler burned the Double Blue for ten receptions for 74 yards in their other meeting.
The Argos defence needs to make sure they do not let Dressler get out in the open, as he is looking to have one of his top receiving years of his career, and you know Darian Durant will be looking for him. Expect the D-Line to attack Durant early and not give him the chance to get Dressler the ball.
Though Maurice Mann has only accumulated stats in two games for the Argos so far in 2012, he has been with the team since week one, working hard to get himself back to where he was last season. In previous years with Edmonton and Hamilton, Mann is used to seeing a lot of field time, with his best season coming in 2009 with Edmonton where he caught for almost 1000 yards.
Most recently, he made six catches against Winnipeg for 47 yards and emerged as a favourite target of current starter Jarious Jackson. Jackson consistently looked Mann’s way, perhaps due to many second team reps the team took early in the season and training camp.
Mann has not played Saskatchewan in quiet some time, with his last battle with the Riders coming in 2010 where he amassed just three catches for 27 yards in one game and two receptions for 24 yards in the other.
With Spencer Watt on the IR for this game and dink and dunk specialist Chad Kackert also on the shelf, it is possible there will be more opportunities for Mann to make a difference.