Jerious Norwood believes he can help Argos overcome the loss of Chad Kackert

When Chad Kackert fell to the artificial turf clutching his ankle during practice last week at the Rogers Centre, a lot of Toronto Argonauts fans feared their team's chances of back-to-back Grey Cup appearances fell with him.

After all, Kackert was the bedrock of the Argo running game before that broken ankle finished his already injury-filled season. Last year's Grey Cup MVP gave the team the kind of explosive runner who can turn games around, who can wake up a slumbering offence. In addition, the diminutive back's uncanny blocking abilities kept quarterback Ricky Ray safe from predatory linemen.

While the team would no doubt prefer to have him in the lineup, they're confident that the guys who will handle the bulk of the ground game in Sunday's CFL East final against Hamilton can do the job.

Argo head coach Scott Milanovich was reluctant to tip his hand, but it appears both Jerious Norwood and Curtis Steele will see action on Sunday. The pair bring a different dimension to the offence, something the Argos hope to take advantage of.

"They're both bigger backs, maybe a bit more powerful (than Kackert)," Milanovich said after Friday's practice. "I don't know if anybody has the speed that Kack has, but they're different styles.

"Jerious is a good inside zone runner with the ability to run the stretch play and stick his foot in the ground when he gets a crease and carry people at the end. Both are pretty good receivers out of the backfield and they're improving in their protection. Between the two of them we expect them to play well."

Ray admits that the team will miss Kackert, but has full confidence in both backs.

"Chad's such an explosive player," he said. "The big play ability he gives this offence. There have been numerous times where he gets a crease and it's a 50-yard touchdown ... But with that said, these other guys have gotten a lot of experience with his injuries this year, so they've been able to get in their. You saw Jerious in week 18, a screen play and a run play, he was able to get some big yardage and change field position.

"They both have that ability as well."

Based on their performances this season, filling in during Kackert's previous absences, Norwood is likely to see the bulk of the action. And that's just fine for the six-year NFL veteran, who will be starting his first CFL playoff game after joining the team in August.

Norwood played sparingly this season, carrying 58 times for 342 yards for an impressive 5.9-yard average. Steele rushed for 187 yards on 39 carries. While some see that lack of three-down experience as a negative, Norwood believes it should work to his advantage.

"I haven't had to play the whole season, so I'm feeling pretty good," said the 30-year-old former Atlanta Falcons and St. Louis Rams running back, who twice rushed for more than 600 yards in the NFL. "I'm pretty fresh for this late in the season."

Norwood doesn't deny that the team will miss Kackert, and not just because of his abilities carrying the ball, receiving and blocking. Kackert brings something extra, he says.

"His spirit means a lot, just being able to see his face every day," he said. "He's a big part of this team."

Norwood says he's learned a lot in his brief stay in the CFL. But he also brings something else: hunger. Despite playing football most of his life, the Mississippi State product is still looking for his first championship.

"It's a great feeling to make it to the post-season, get a chance to play for the Grey Cup," he said. "I've been playing ball for a long time but I've never won a championship. This means something special."

Norwood also believes there's a bit of destiny at play here. After his NFL ended and it appeared he may never play football again, he sees a divine hand guiding him towards Sunday's game -- and hopefully the Grey Cup.

"I'm loving it here," he said. "I sat out all last year and really prayed about getting a chance and God bless me to bring me here to Toronto. I can't ask for anything more. It's been a blessing."