Argonauts.ca staff
TORONTO – The Argonauts will receive a healthy dose of reinforcements this week, as they look to grab their third straight win against the Ottawa REDBLACKS.
Linebackers Cory Greenwood and Thomas Miles, as well as kicker Swayze Waters all make their return to the Argos line-up after missing time with injuries. Greenwood suffered a concussion following the Argos’ loss to Hamilton in week six, while Waters was placed on the six-game injured list following Toronto’s season opener in Fort McMurray.
Miles will see his first action of 2015 after a wrist injury in the preseason, and the second-year CFLer is chomping at the bit to get back on the field.
“I’m really happy to be back,” said Miles. “It’s been a long time sitting on the injured reserve, I’m just happy to be back out there with the team.”
But it’s the return of Waters, the CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Teams player in 2014, which is likely to provide the biggest boost for the Argonauts. While rookie Ronnie Pfeffer performed admirably in relief through six games, including a couple of 50+ yard field goals, Waters’ return will provide a boost to all of Toronto’s special teams units with his monster leg.
“Swayze is elite,” said head coach Scott Milanovich. “He’s got a huge leg, he’s a weapon in field position, he allows you to try field goals you normally wouldn’t be able to. All those things make Swayze a stronger weapon than other kickers, because of his leg strength and his ability to do all three.”
Waters and the Argonauts will face a REDBLACKS team fresh off a terrible loss to the Calgary Stampeders in week eight, falling 48 – 3 in a lopsided affair.
“I don’t put much stock in that (loss),” said Milanovich. “In fact I hate playing a team coming off a tough loss, I’d rather play a team coming off a win, when they’re feeling good about themselves and maybe they’re relaxed a bit.”
The Argos return to the Rogers Centre this weekend at the midpoint of the season, a turning point which will see the Argonauts play six of their final 10 games at home. Having played just one game there so far this season, the team is eager to return to the friendly confines of the dome and play in front of the home crowd.
“It’s great to play at home,” said Miles, who will make his 2015 debut in front of the Double Blue faithful. “There was a great, loud crowd (two weeks ago), and we’re looking forward to another good one this weekend.”
Sunday’s game will be especially significant for RB Chad Kackert, who will make his first appearance at the Rogers Centre since 2013. The venue holds a special significance for Kackert, an Argo fan favourite, as he won a Grey Cup and a Grey Cup MVP award in 2012.
“I’m not expecting any signs in the stands,” joked Kackert, “but maybe a nice, warm welcome. I’m just excited to be playing the game that I love, with the team that I love, in the city that I love.”