Win Now mode Argos and star linebacker McManis return for Sunday’s East Finals

tomtidgewellNovember 13, 2022

Argos linebacker Wynton McManis may have been out of shape during practice, but he faces the Montreal Alouettes in the East Division final at BMO Field this afternoon. Photo by Argonauts.ca Photo

With no limits, no limits, it remains to be seen what kind of presence Wynton McManis will have in Sunday’s East Finals against the visiting Montreal Alouettes.

The Argonauts’ All-Star linebacker was playing at a high level until he injured his knee in an ugly loss in Calgary on October 1.

When he was healthy, McManis was the CFL’s best defender and perhaps one of the league’s most dominant players on both sides of the ball.

The 28-year-old’s defensive stats sheet includes 88 tackles (plus seven on special teams), three sacks and two interceptions. The Roughriders at the Touchdown Atlantic Games on July 16 in Nova Scotia.

McManis will return to the Argos roster at BMO Field on Sunday. This is the best the club has put on the field at any point this season, at least on paper. The only missing player is Rush End Shane Ray, whose season ended in Calgary with a torn bicep.

If he can regain his playmaking ability, McManis will likely play a key role in the outcome of the game as part of a top-notch veteran linebacking unit featuring Henok Muamba and Chris Edwards.

“I feel good, my body feels good,” McManis began on the eve of Sunday’s showdown.

According to McManis, the mood around Argos has been very good all week.

“We are excited,” he said. “The energy is amazing. Everyone is in a good mood and everyone is communicating.

“As a team, we believe we are in the best space all year, physically and mentally.It should be fun (Sunday).

Argos have weathered many injuries and some internal adversity throughout the season. But head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said the return of both McManis and running back Andrew Harris in uniforms could breathe a little easier, and the extra week’s rest from the bye to the East Finals was a no-brainer. I am benefiting.

“Wynton’s return is huge for us,” said Dinwiddie. “Andrew’s return is huge for us because I think he will give us a spark in attack. Winton is a leader in defense and a player to match Winton. I don’t think so.”

Argos held a regular walkthrough on Saturday and was able to visit the BMO field.

“This means everything,” said McManis. “One game a day, one game a day. You never look forward and never underestimate your opponent.

“This is the biggest game of the year and we are ready. We are ready.”

Montreal advanced to the East Finals following their home victory over the Tikats last week. They had a difficult start to the season and parted ways with head coach Cali Jones.

Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson said, “Anytime you have a chance to culminate in something you’ve been working on for a year, you have to be excited about it.

“We have worked hard and gone through a lot this year and because of that we are ready to cap it off by proving that we are the big dogs of the East.”

According to Dinwiddie, Argos felt focused last year heading into the East final against Hamilton (they lost), but admits the tension was lacking. No need to worry about Sunday’s game.

This is the last stand for many players on the team, both as Argonauts and sometimes as professionals. Among them is McManis, who could get another crack in the NFL after being released by the Miami Dolphins in January, just weeks before signing with Toronto.

In 2022, Argos will produce win Sunday with a group of veterans including Brandon Banks, who is aiming for his first Gray Cup win in his career, and former Hamilton teammate Jagared Davis.

“There is an urgency,” said Dinwiddie. “I think last year we were looking forward to the Gray Cup. You’re not going to get there. This is the most important game.

“We know we’re playing against good teams[in Montreal]and we have to find a way to beat them.”

Dinwiddie has decided to cut back on practice time this week.

“They seem trapped,” he added.

Argonauts

After Maurice Colonel IV suffered a knee injury in the final game of the regular schedule, freshman Argo Tarvals-McFadden starts his first career playoff at cornerback… Argos has been in the franchise’s long history. No — they were in exactly the same position as they were a year ago when they lost the East finals to the visiting Tikats — back-to-back division finals at home and losing both … the last 20 years in the East The team has not appeared in more division finals than Argos in their 12th trip … The last time the Als and Argos met was in the 2012 East Finals, when Toronto entered the Olympic Stadium. , when he upset the first-placed Als on their way to winning the 100th Gray Cup.

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