Johnson gets Stamp of approval
Defensive lineman standing tall as compatriots have hit the sidelines
CALGARY — Micah Johnson’s importance to the Calgary Stampeders may never have been more pronounced than it is in the early days of the 2017 CFL season.
As defensive linemen have fallen left and right with injuries, Johnson has stood tall.
Cordarro Law and Ja’Gared Davis both find themselves on the sixgame injured list, while Charleston Hughes’ name may be nowhere to be found when the Stamps release their lineup for Friday’s game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
That means Johnson and Bryan Hall, who is in his first year with the Stamps, will be the last men standing among the D-linemen who were assumed to be starters heading into the season.
“I feel myself being a veteran in the group, so I did take that on, to be more vocal with the guys and definitely be a guy they can look at as doing the right things all the time when I’m on the field,” Johnson said after Wednesday’s practice at McMahon Stadium. “I’m trying to be that guy in the weight room. I’m in the weight room every day just trying to do extra work, watching film with the guys.
“(Doing) as much as I can do to really try to help the team.”
So far, Johnson has done a heck of a job leading by example.
After the Stamps didn’t register a single sack in Week 1 against the Ottawa Redblacks, Johnson led the way in Week 2, sacking Redblacks QB Trevor Harris three times. He now has the second-most sacks in the league to go along with seven defensive tackles.
“I do believe Micah has stepped up his game,” said Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson. “But in the past, obviously, I think he’s been playing well. It’s not like last year wasn’t a great year for him. He’s upped his game, but he’s been a good solid allstar for a few years now.”
While the injury bug has bitten the Stampeders D-line hard, there’s still a possibility there will be some veteran relief available for Friday’s game.
Johnson and Hughes both took Monday’s practice off for a little maintenance work, but while Johnson returned Tuesday, Hughes still wasn’t practising as of Wednesday morning.
Dickenson had said earlier in the week that if Hughes didn’t practise Wednesday, he wouldn’t be playing this weekend, but the coach was evasive when asked whether that might change.
“He’s got a lower-body injury that’s given him a little trouble — he’s not running as well as he has in the past,” Dickenson said. “He had the same issue last week and he played the whole game. That’s why we feel if we need him, he’ll play, so we have to be smart with him, but that’s the decision we’ll make.”
If Hughes is missing in action, the Stampeders will have options. Maybe not the first-choice options, but options nonetheless.
Kashawn Fraser filled in admirable for the injured Law and Davis last week and either James Vaughters or newcomer Aston Whiteside could see time replacing Hughes.
Whiteside only joined the practice squad Monday, but Dickenson wasn’t ruling him out for Friday’s game.
“I’d love to have a little more time to let him get his feet wet,” Dickenson said. “He’s been looking pretty good, but I think Hughes is one of those guys who could play without practise and if he gives me the green light, I’d like to do that.”
Whoever the Stamps roll with Friday, Johnson will have a big role to play, both in terms of leadership and making plays.
“Every team’s guaranteed to have adversity, so we have to be mentally strong,” Hall said. “Micah’s a great leader, Charleston and guys are still around, so we’re depending on those guys who have been here and in the system to help us get through.”