Former Ticat Kanneh to debut against Calgary
TORONTO — The Toronto Argonauts’ home opener will be a Grey Cup rematch of sorts for veteran defensive back Abdul Kanneh.
The former CFL all-star will make his Argos debut Saturday night against the Calgary Stampeders at BMO Field. It’s the first meeting between the teams since Toronto’s upset 27-24 Grey Cup victory in Ottawa.
While Kanneh wasn’t part of last year’s Grey Cup team, he helped the Ottawa Redbacks defeat Calgary 39-33 in overtime in the 2016 CFL championship game.
“It could possibly be a Grey Cup rematch for me too,” said Kanneh, acquired from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 10. “I mean, I played them too.
“I just love the intensity that’s here and how everybody wants to get to work. On defence, that’s what you want. You want everyone to be aggressive, be attentive, be on their keys, play fast and go forward.”
The five-foot-10, 175-pound Kanneh replaces Quadarius Ford, who was injured in Toronto’s season-opening 27-19 road loss to the Roughriders.
Kanneh, entering his fifth CFL season, got the nod ahead of rookie Trumaine Washington, who went on Toronto’s practice roster after an impressive showing during training camp.
“It was a highly competitive week,” Argos head coach Marc Trestman said. “We all know the pre-season Trumaine had and he had a good week in practice as well. They worked together to try to be the best they could be at that position and it was really a toss of the coin. We could’ve picked either guy, they’re both well deserving to play in this game.”
Trestman said Kanneh’s pro experience factored in the decision to insert him into the starting lineup.
“He’s played in Grey Cups, he’s played against Calgary for a number of years so certainly that was part of the decision process,” Trestman said. “It wasn’t the whole part because we’ve got a guy like Trumaine who’s been with us the entire training camp.
“But (Kanneh) has picked it up quickly. He’s a great communicator out there and we’re excited to see him play and are happy to have him.”