The main storyline surrounding the Toronto Argonauts this week has been the return to the lineup by quarterback Chad Kelly. Meanwhile, one of his teammates will also come back this week, but his homecoming has garnered far less attention.
Defensive back Quincy Mauger suffered a leg injury in the Argos June 28 loss to Montreal at BMO Field. His time on the six-game injured list has expired and he couldn’t be more anxious to get back on the field on Thursday night when the Boatmen host Saskatchewan in this year’s CNE game.
The strongside linebacker’s return has been warmly welcomed by his teammates.
“The whole team has embraced me so far,” Mauger told Argonauts.ca after he had enjoyed a post-practice barbeque lunch provided by some of the team’s most loyal fans. “I’m just trying to match the energy and bring even more intensity.”
There’s no question he adds more emotional giddy-up to the lineup, but he brings a lot more than that.
The former Georgia Bulldog delivers talent and flexibility to the lineup. He’s able to play multiple positions on the back end, but is best suited to play the strongside, or SAM linebacker spot, a position that has been filled exceptionally well by Robert Priester, who was signed by the team after Mauger was hurt and stepped into the starting role immediately.
That leads to decision time for defensive co-coordinator Will Fields, who also handles the secondary. He now has the challenge of finding playing time for an almost completely healthy group of defensive backs.
“It’s definitely fun,” Fields told Argonauts.ca, “It’s nerve-wracking because everybody can’t play at the same time, but it’s interesting. I’m looking forward to it.”
What makes it enjoyable for Fields is that he can design a gameplan that takes advantage of the team’s multitude of talented players, most of whom can comfortably play more than one spot.
At the same time, he wants his athletes to be able to get the most out of their skillset.
“You’ve got to be careful with a guy like Q (Quincy) because he can play so many different places, but you want to get him settled in somewhere,” Fields said of Mauger. “Physicality, positivity, leadership; just an all-around player. He’s a complete SAM.”
The leadership aspect of his game is something Mauger takes very seriously. While out of the lineup he tried to remain positive and add what he could from the sidelines. He also got the chance to witness and learn from the leadership abilities of teammates Wynton McManis and DaVaris Daniels.
“To be a great leader you have to be a great serviceman,” Mauger explained. “I’ve learned from them. When they talk, I’m at attention. I’m soaking up the game as they try to better our guys. Wherever I can see myself stepping up I try to speak up, whether it’s by actions or whether it’s by words.”
He knows that aside from his talent, energy is the biggest attribute he brings to the group. That is almost always a positive characteristic, but on Thursday he must be wary of being too overhyped by his return to the field and avoid the temptation of trying to do too much.
“Most definitely, but that’s one of those things that I’ve learned, just being patient. I know I’ve got a lot to catch up on, but every day is a blessing.”
The Marietta, Georgia was around the ball a lot during the two plus games he played before the injury. He made 8 defensive tackles and a pair more on special teams, while adding a tackle for loss and a pass knockdown.
He can’t wait for his first hit of the game. It’s then that he’ll truly realize he’s off the injured list and doing the thing he loves more than anything else, playing football.