Ray is back, hopefully with a ground attack
Running back Whitaker feels he can protect veteran quarterback with his feet
Barring any setbacks, Ricky Ray will return from a one-game absence due to a sore shoulder and start for the Argos on Saturday in another firstplace battle with Montreal at BMO Field.
And while Ray’s return is good news for the Argos, it also means the remainder of the offence will be under the spotlight to prevent the sacks and jarring hits that sent Ray to the sidelines two weeks ago. Everyone — from the offensive line to the receivers and running backs — has a role to play in protecting Ray, who has been sacked a CFL-leading 20 times in seven games.
Running back Brandon Whitaker, though, is taking it as personally as anyone.
“When we don’t run the ball well, it’s on me, it’s on the offensive line, the receivers,” Whitaker said Wednesday as the Argos practised for Saturday’s game. “I take it personally, because (a strong running game) gives the offensive line a chance to move forward and push back (against the defensive line), instead of standing up and trying to prevent the other guys from coming after Ricky.”
Whitaker, who has battled back from an ankle injury suffered on the second play of the Argos’ opener against Hamilton, is coming off a stellar running performance in a loss in Montreal last week. He rambled 96 yards on 11 carries, his best performance in five games the season.
If Whitaker can come up with another big yardage game Saturday, Ray’s life will get much simpler.
Argos coach Marc Trestman said Wednesday that his veteran quarterback looks good to start Saturday. That was welcome news after the subpar performances of backups Jeff Mathews and Cody Fajardo in Montreal.
“I’m confident (Ray will) be ready to play,” Trestman said Wednesday. “He looks like the guy he was three weeks ago.”
Ray is still two days away from the next game, and has been gradually building his throwing strength ever since he started throwing again, three days after he took a wicked shot to the shoulder in the Aug. 3 loss to Calgary. He has been taking more reps in practice this week, progressing to almost his normal throwing load.
If Ray does not experience any setbacks in his progress, he will be good to go Saturday.
“It feels better,” the 37-year-old said. “Since I started throwing again, it’s felt better.”
Ray was on an inspiring pace before he was injured — six straight games of 300-plus yards passing games — but the Argos operated with too much emphasis on passing. They fell to Canadian Football League lows in rushing touchdowns and yards, leaving the offensive line to defend against an onslaught of blitzes and pressures from the opposition.
But the 31-year-old Whitaker, who ran for1,009 yards with the Argos last year, is healthy now. He’s had seasons end because of injury before — a torn ACL in 2012, a torn hamstring in 2013 and a broken foot in 2014 — and is hoping his troubles are behind him.
“It’s been a tough couple of years, but I’ve been there and done that now,” Whitaker said Wednesday. “Injuries are part of the game and if you go through them again, it’s just about understanding that injuries happen. You push through, and you pray you have an opportunity when you come back.
“I’m fortunate to be back with (general manager Jim Popp, who Whitaker was with in Montreal from 2008 to 2014) . . . part of this goes to him for having faith in me and giving me that opportunity again.”