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Stampeders-Argos sets up as a test of teams’ depth, and one that could be interesting

Andrew Bucholtz

Games between the Calgary Stampeders and Toronto Argonauts have produced some of the CFL's most fascinating clashes over the last few years, including a 39-36 shootout with last-second craziness at the start of 2012, Chris Jones' homecoming in August 2012, the 2012 Grey Cup, and a September 2013 game that involved a rugby-style quick kick en route to a thrilling finish. The two teams are set to face off again in Toronto Saturday (6:30 p.m. Eastern, TSN/ESPN3), and another classic might be in the works. There are interesting storylines on the Argos' side, including how recently-acquired controversial DB Dwight Anderson will do in his debut in double blue, and how the team will replace injured star Canadians like slotback Andre Durie and middle linebacker Shea Emry. However, the Stampeders are facing perhaps even more injury attrition, with star Canadian running back and 2013 league Most Outstanding Player Jon Cornish absent for this one, along with top receivers Nik Lewis and Maurice Price. Which team's replacements do a better job of stepping up may determine the outcome here, and with unexpected players getting a chance to shine on both sides, we could be in for another great Calgary-Toronto battle.

The Argonauts' approach to replacing Durie is particularly interesting, as they may be going with the most standard route of directly filling his slotback position with another Canadian (rather than replacing him with an international player and juggling the roster), but doing so with an unconventional candidate. CFL.ca's Don Landry wrote Thursday that the team has been practicing with rookie running back Anthony Coombs in Durie's spot in the slot:

With the CFL's Canadian Player Of The Week, Andre Durie, sidelined for about a month and a half, who will step into his slotback position and try to fill his rather large cleats?

“He’s a dynamic player," said Argos' head coach Scott Milanovich of Durie. "There’s not a lot like him.”

Not a lot. But, there might be one already in the Argonaut stable. Someone whose skill set is reminiscent of Durie's, even if that skill set is still in the early, formative stages.

As the Argos prepare to keep the offence humming without one of its great spark plugs, the rookie running back from Manitoba is practicing at slot. Anthony Coombs, it may be time for your close-up.

“Just have to adapt on the fly, now," said Coombs, shortly after a rain-shortened practice. "I’m getting used to the slot position. I have been learning it as well as running back.” and might be on track to start this weekend.

More than one observer compared him to Durie when Coombs was being put through his paces at the draft combine, last March. Fast, shifty and with good hands, it's why - if you’re looking to mimic what Andre Durie does in that Argos' offence - the rookie tailback best fits the bill.

“Oh yeah, I see it," said Coombs, of the Durie comparison. "You know, I always hate comparing players because somebody always kind of gets offended and Durie’s one of the best players, I feel, ever to play in the CFL, as a Canadian. I don’t think I’m there, yet, at Durie’s level. But I do have some similar qualities that he has.”

Meanwhile, Calgary has perhaps an even tougher Canadian to replace in Cornish, the league's top player last year. It sounds like they plan to use a mix of Canadian Matt Walter and international Jock Sanders at the RB spot, and while both have impressed at times, neither's used to Cornish's typical workload. That may put more focus on young quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, who will be going head-to-head with one of the CFL's best pivots in Ricky Ray, and will have to do so without a couple of his top targets. Whose replacements are going to step up more, the Stamps' or the Argos'? The answer may well decide this one.