ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF

Only a third of the way through the season, the Argos’ linebacking corps continues to be devastated by injuries. The news only got worse for the unit on Tuesday afternoon. GM & Head Coach Jim Barker confirmed that 11-year veteran Kevin Eiben was to undergo surgery, which was successful, later Tuesday evening to repair a torn pectoral muscle. It effectively ended his 2011 campaign.

Eiben is lost for the season but there is hope for Canadian counterpart Jason Pottinger who suffered a torn ACL in the Argos' opening week victory against the Calgary Stampeders. Pottinger practiced on Wednesday for the first time since his injury, and there is hope that he might be able to return sooner than expected.

“It's difficult anytime you lose Canadians, but when you lose top Canadians in the league, I mean, these are two of the top guys and have been for a while,” Barker explained. “There aren't a lot of teams that can absorb that. It's not easy, you don't replace Eiben and Pottinger, you just don't.”

Both named East Division All-Stars in 2010, Eiben and Pottinger have been greatly missed by the Argos defence. Yet, the rash of injuries has provided opportunities to those who least expected it. With LB Anthony Cannon nursing an injury of his own last week, the Argos were forced to bring back import LB Durrell Mapp, who was cut by the team out of training camp. It was a quick turnaround for Mapp who had only one week to re-familiarize himself with the Argos' schemes before playing most of the game against Montreal after the injury to Eiben.

“As a pro, you have to be ready whenever they call you, and it was a quick call,” Mapp said. “It's always tough seeing one of your guys go down, regardless of the opportunity that presents itself afterwards, but you just have to be ready and work hard every day.”

Throwing new players into the fire seemingly every week has provided little chance for the linebackers to establish any sort of chemistry - something that takes time to develop. LB Ejiro Kuale took over for Pottinger in week 1 and knows just how difficult the adjustment period can be.

“It's a learning experience because you have to think for you and the man next to you. It's a challenge and ultimately it's going to make everybody better,” Kuale explained. “It's a little awkward because you can't get comfortable. Each week, there is somebody new but you have to keep on pushing.”

“When I took over for Pottinger, it took me about 2 or 3 games to just feel comfortable and get the chemistry to where there's no guessing or anything.”

Kuale has emerged as an emotional leader of the defence since becoming a mainstay in the starting lineup. He puts a lot of pressure on himself to help the linebackers feel comfortable with each other, and thinks the unit is close to turning the corner.

“I hold myself first and foremost, be accountable for everything that happens. I gotta lead by example, and if I just lead and show my energy then hopefully that'll carry onto the other guys.”

“Once we get that second win, we'll get over the hump. Everyone is being put in an awkward position. This is my first time being 1-5, but I think these are trials and tribulations that we have to go through in order to be Grey Cup champions."

Cannon should return to his regular spot at the WILL linebacker position. Together, he and Kuale can form a formidable duo. Cannon is in his first year with the team, and while this is Kuale's second season with the Argonauts, it is his first as a linebacker in the CFL. Coach Barker sees potential in both players.

“E.J. is stepping up and becoming a leader and getting better every week, and Cannon is back this week. The two of them can hopefully grow together, and we'll see what happens.”

The growth of Kuale, Cannon and the rest of the linebacking corps is tied directly to their ability to stay on the field together. While that has proven to be a mighty challenge so far this season, at least the linebackers, and their coach, still have the confidence that they can turn this team around in short order.