Sep 22, 2018; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Saskatchewan Roughriders defeat the Toronto Argonauts30-29 at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski
It was a tough loss. Tougher than most for a myriad of reasons.
A 56-yard field goal made, a 51 yarder missed. But the final-possession exchange of kicks wasn’t the reason for the Toronto Argonauts 30-29 loss to Saskatchewan, it was just the most obvious.
Losing any game in that manner is tough. When it comes as the team is desperate for the two points, it makes it all the more difficult.
The Argos had a light practice on Monday. It would have been easy for the team to show up with their heads down. With some rosters in days gone by, there would have been some vocal outbursts among teammates.
That wasn’t the case as the team hit the field at Lamport Stadium.
Head Coach Marc Trestman didn’t notice any signs of frustration or lethargy, in terms of how practice proceeded.
“I did not see anything,” said Trestman. “There’s always energy in our room in the morning, in the team meeting. The guys were very focused in.”
If you were to attend an Argo practice you might be surprised by what you see. There’s no sign of a 3-9 team on the field. The tempo is high, the spirits are good. It’s a team of professional football players trying to get better as individuals and as a group, no matter their place in the standings.
It’s a testament to the players and to the coaching staff that the attitude is as positive as it is, despite the fact that the players are dying inside because of the record.
“Each of them carries their own unique perspective,” said the coach. “I think they’re vocal about it, but more importantly their demeanour is such that you can’t help but notice it. It’s inspiring at multiple levels.”
What’s made this group’s mindset even more astonishing is that so many of the team’s leaders have been injured. Bear Woods started the season on the six-game injured list. He was followed by Ricky Ray, who went down in Week Two, lost for the season with a neck injury. Cassius Vaughn was lost for the season in Montreal. Marcus Ball was injured on Labour Day and placed on the six-game list, likewise Jermaine Gabriel, who was hurt a week later.
Losing that much talent on the field would be tough enough, but losing the intangibles each one of those athletes bring made the potential for locker-room disaster a reality.
But it didn’t happen. All of those players are still around, going to meetings, helping out any way they can, but it’s still different when they’re not in the lineup.
The lone constant in terms of definitive leadership to remain healthy is S.J. Green. Now in his 12th season, his second in Double Blue, the receiver says they aren’t going to roll over as a team.
“We still have something to fight for, we still have something to play for,” Green told Argonauts.ca. “Ultimately, we just have a locker room of good guys. Guys who understand that the game of football is not the only thing in life that matters.”
That doesn’t mean the group doesn’t work hard, quite the contrary. The practices are crisp, the meetings informative and productive.
With the injury bug decimating the team’s leadership group, it makes Green’s presence even more valuable, though he’s not changing anything in his routine to try and fill any perceived void.
“Me being a leader, I’ve never looked at anything I had to do extra,” said Green, “I’ve always been myself and just been as genuine with it as I can. I don’t look at is as I have to do anything more because I am who I am.”
Green oozes professionalism. He goes about his business in a matter-of-fact manner, but his teammates are always aware of what he’s doing. The receivers group is especially aware of him, constantly watching him, seeing how he goes about his daily routine.
The South Florida product is aware of his status as a veteran and understands that players may turn to him for advice, something he’s more than willing to share.
“From that perspective yes,” he conceded. “When I was that guy I had people helping me. I had guys showing me how to do things the right way and how to try to have some kind of sustainability in this league, so I do feel compelled to help guys from that perspective, absolutely.”
It’s paid off for him, as his first catch against the Riders was the 600th of his career. It’s now paying off for the Argos, who may turn to Green to help them navigate these suddenly choppy waters.