It was a painful sight to see for fans of the Toronto Argonauts.
In their July 20 game in Hamilton, defensive tackle Jared Brinkman suffered what appeared to be a serious leg injury. He left the field with his arms draped over the shoulders of athletic therapists Josh Shewell and Mark Belmore. Brinkman put zero weight on his leg as he was helped off, leading those watching to worry that they were seeing the last of the Iowa native this season.
Since then, two positive things have occurred. Brinkman’s injury was diagnosed as non-season ending, and Ralph Holley has played exceptionally well in his place.
“I think I’ve done well,” Holley told Argonauts.ca about his play so far. “I was put in this role because the coaches trust me. That’s one thing I pride myself on, is not taking their trust in vain. I think I’ve been producing, especially in the run. I pride myself on my explosive play, and that’s what (defensive line coach Demetrious) Maxie preaches to us, is getting vertical and being explosive. That’s what I do best.”
He’s done a great job filling in as a starter for Brinkman, one of the CFL’s best against the run. Holley also has some quarterback pressures, and recorded his first sack against Zach Collaros in the Argos win over Winnipeg at BMO Field.
Ralph Holley is a Michigander through and through. He was born in West Bloomfield, attended St. Mary’s Prep in Orchard Lake where he led the team to three consecutive state championships, and was a two-time state champion in shot put.
He went on to play at Western Michigan University.
Holley did what many people from the Detroit area do from time to time, headed across the border into Windsor. His family also made trips to Niagara Falls and Toronto when he was younger, but he admits he was too young to remember them. He’s thrilled it wasn’t his last journey to the 6ix, even though the yard off the ball has been a big adjustment for someone used to lining up over it.
“It’s definitely different,” he said. “I pride myself on how I get off the ball, my takeoff off the ball. It just challenges me to be better. It challenges me to get off the ball even faster. It took a little getting used to in camp.”
He’s had great coaching, and not just from Coach Maxie. He also pointed to Brinkman, Jake Ceresna, and Flo Orimolade as teammates who have helped him acclimate to this brand of ball.
Holley has paid particularly close attention to Ceresna, the player he most often lines up beside on the interior.
“The relentless effort he has to the ball, it’s something I’m trying to imitate, his endless pursuit of the ball,” said Holley. “He told me in camp ‘Just run after the ball as fast as you can.’ He’s dominant at the point of attack with offensive linemen. As I’m playing alongside Jake, I’m also learning a lot from him as well.”
Playing defensive tackle in three-down football is quite different than playing the same position down south. It requires a lot more running, so you generally don’t see the gigantic body types you see on the interior of the line in four-down ball.
Has the 6’1” Holley started to intentionally drop some weight to gain speed to go along with his quickness?
“The weight came off regardless of if I meant to,” he said, followed by a big laugh. “I came in at about 295 pounds, I’m about 290, 288 right now. Next year I want to stay in the 285-290 range but just be able to move. Conditioning is a big thing up here and I love it, honestly. I feel like a skill player with as much running as I do.”
It’s obvious that Holley is having the time of his life, not only playing pro football, but doing it so close to home.
He’s fit in well, both on and off the field. When Brinkman returns it will add to a an already deeply talented defensive line that has been a major reason why the Argos are the top team in the CFL against the run, and tied for the league lead in sacks.