Argonauts.ca staff
TORONTO – The next position up for examination in the training camp primer series is the secondary, where the Argos hope a mixture of returning veterans and new additions in free agency will culminate in an improved unit in 2015.
Returning starting safety Jermaine Gabriel was selected by the Toronto Argonauts in the second round of the 2013 CFL Draft after spending time with the Calgary Colts of the CJFL, and posted career highs in tackles (46), sacks (two), interceptions (one) and forced fumbles (two) as a sophomore. As a national with the ability to start in the secondary, Gabriel is a valuable piece for the Argos, and coaches will hope he can take another step forward in 2015.
Matt Black is another national returning to the fold in 2015, after missing much of the 2014 season due to injury. While it was a hit for the Argos secondary, it was especially devastating for Black, who was coming off the most productive season of his career in 2013, when he recorded his first career sack, interception, interception return for a touchdown, and fumble recovery, while setting a new career-high with 34 defensive tackles.
International defensive back Alex Suber was acquired by the Argonauts via trade with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in August after spending the first 10 weeks of the season on the injured list. Suber racked up 23 tackles and an interception with the Double Blue in the latter half of the season, and the five-year CFL veteran could figure into a prominent role in the Argos secondary in 2015.
Fellow internationals Vince Agnew and Branden Smith made strong impressions in their first full CFL seasons. Agnew started 10 games for the Argos in 2014, recording 31 tackles, four sacks, and a 12-yard fumble recovery. He also played a vital role on specials, as his 14 special teams tackles ranked him second on the team. Smith was originally signed by the Argonauts at the tail end of the 2013 season and appeared in one game as a kick returner, but made his defensive debut in 2014, starting 16 games. Smith racked up 37 tackles on defence while adding two interceptions, and also returning punts and kickoffs.
International Donald Washington was drafted in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft and recorded 52 total tackles and a forced fumble in three years with the Kansas City Chiefs. Washington spent the 2013 season away from football before making the transition to the CFL with the Argos in 2014, totalling 14 defensive tackles and one special teams tackle as a CFL rookie.
Former Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawk Shane Herbert was originally signed by the Argonauts prior to the 2013 season, but suffered a season-ending injury in the opening game. Herbert was held to a limited role in his CFL rookie season in 2014, recording four special teams tackles and two fumble recoveries.
Isaiah Green played five years at Fresno State before landing with the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL as an undrafted free agent. Released by the Steelers following training camp in 2014, Green was picked up by the Argonauts and saw action in the final game of the CFL season, recording one defensive tackle and two tackles on special teams.
Brandon Underwood spent part of the 2014 season with the Argonauts, starting seven games and recording 19 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, two interceptions and a fumble recovery before being released on August 31. The former Ohio State Buckeye and Cincinnati Bearcat spent the latter half of 2014 season on the Calgary Stampeders’ practice roster before re-signing with the Argos just before training camp, where he’ll get another chance to earn a role on the team.
Nationals Eric Black and Matt McGarva will look to turn previous roles as depth players into regular contributors in 2015. Eric Black, the younger brother of fellow Argo Matt, was drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 CFL Draft and dressed for four games in his rookie season. Black spent most of the season on the practice roster, learning Toronto’s schemes and getting acclimated to the CFL. McGarva was a standout at Windsor and spent two years with the B.C. Lions, where he recorded three special teams tackles in eight games.
The Argonauts have also brought in some additional American talent to challenge for roster sports in 2015.
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah is a four-year NFL veteran who was selected in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He spent four years at University of Indiana at Pennsylvania, where he played starred as corner and kick returner, recording 10 interceptions and scoring nine total touchdowns. His 4.32 40-yard dash time was one of the fastest at the 2010 NFL Combine, and the CFL could be the perfect spot for the big, speedy DB.
Jacob Lacey spent five years in the NFL after a successful career at Oklahoma State, starting 35 games between the Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions. In his rookie season in 2009, Lacey recorded 85 tackles and three interceptions, one he returned for a touchdown, and was named to the NFL’s All-Rookie team. Fresno State alumnus AJ Jefferson played 43 NFL games between the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings, tallying 108 total tackles and three interceptions to go along with 17 pass knockdowns.
Travis Hawkins spent 2014 training camp with the New England Patriots after a five-year college career at Delaware and Maryland. Hawkins played on defence and as a kick returner at Delaware, recording 168 tackles and eight interceptions while compiling over 1,000 return yards. Finally, Devin Smith played five years at the University of Wisconsin before signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2013.
The Argos are hoping that a mix of returning veterans and new blood in the secondary results in an improved unit in 2015.