As the Argos headed to their locker rooms at BMO Field after Wednesday’s practice in Vaughan, a team bus driver shouted to Jordan Herdman-Reed: “It’s good to see you back!â€
She was mistaken, but it’s easy to see why. The 31-year-old linebacker signed with the Argos this week, eight years after his twin brother Justin (currently a linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders) was drafted by ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ in 2017. Justin Herdman-Reed played here until 2019. Their father James was also a linebacker and played four games for the Double Blue in 1985.
“It just seems right and it makes sense. I was just super excited when I heard the news of joining the defending champs,†Jordan Herdman-Reed said. “Coming in here, you can tell their culture is different, they got a high standard. But I don’t feel any pressure at all. At the end of the day it’s football, you’ve got to go out there and play, and as long as you play fast and physical and do your job, good things happen.â€
The Argos head to Winnipeg on Friday to face the Blue Bombers, a team they have dominated over the past several years. A second win over the Blue Bombers in less than a week would bring much-needed momentum for what has been a dreadful start to their season.
The Blue Bombers (3-3) have lost three straight games and will be without quarterback Zach Collaros for Friday’s rematch against ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½. The 36-year-old, who has won CFL’s outstanding player award twice, did not play the second half of last week’s game in ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ because of a neck injury. Chris Streveler will start in his place.Â
Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie doesn’t want his team to have any false confidence.
“We’ve got to have a great sense of reality. We’re 2-5, going against a team that’s .500 and at their place where they play well,†he said. “You can’t look at last week’s performance and think we’re going to walk on the field and do that again.â€
Having some fresh legs could help. Herdman-Reed will be active on special teams for Friday’s game, while Garand-Gauthier is “probably a week away,†Dinwiddie said.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
“We haven’t had a fullback in five years, so I look forward to having a fullback to add some elements to our offence,†the coach said regarding Garand-Gauthier.
The 29-year-old from Mirabel, Que., will spend the week getting caught up on the team’s offence.
“He brings a level of physicality we’ve probably been lacking a little bit in our running game,” Dinwiddie said. “And he can take some hits off Kevin (Mital) who’s been doing a lot of the dirty work in the box and we want to make sure we’re not going to wear him down.”
Herdman-Reed is also ready to make an impact, starting Friday if he gets a chance to play against his hometown team. He made eight tackles on special teams in eight games last season with Saskatchewan and has 96 defensive tackles overall in his seven-year CFL career.
“My style of play is hustle, pursuit of the ball and making plays, getting the ball out, creating a turnover, getting momentum for our team,†he said. “Whatever I can do to help our team win, that’s what I’m looking to do this game and beyond.â€
Gilbert Ngabo is a ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½-based sports reporter for the Star.
Follow him on Twitter: .
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation