In desperate need of some good fortune to keep their flagging playoff hopes alive, the Edmonton Eskimos head to Toronto this Thanksgiving Monday determined to not let Ricky run, run, run.
The Argonauts expect to have both Ricky Williams and John Avery in the backfield for the first time this season when they clash with the Eskimos at Rogers Centre in the first of a home-and-home series (CBC, 4 p.m. ET).
With a win, the 8-6 Argos can clinch a playoff spot. The 5-9 Eskimos need a victory to at least keep pace with the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the third and final playoff berth in the West.
Williams has been in the lineup for the last two games after being out two months with a broken arm. Avery replaced Williams and ran for almost 260 yards in three games before injuring his ankle a month ago.
``Offensively they're loaded,'' said linebacker A.J. Gass.
He said Williams and Avery, two former first-round NFL draft picks, will run behind a veteran offensive line that has been together for two years.
``We're going to go out, approach it like we do every game _ stop the run, make them one-dimensional and hopefully we can give (Argos quarterback) Damon Allen a few looks to confuse him.''
Head coach Danny Maciocia said they don't want to allow Williams to get turned upfield and get low.
``Whenever he gets his pads square to the line of scrimmage, he's got that low pad level, he's dangerous,'' he said.
``We have to find a way to create havoc in the backfield.''
Havoc is what Toronto's defence has been doing to opposing passing games.
Opponents are averaging just over seven yards a pass and the Argos lead the league in fewest TD passes allowed (nine), most interceptions (26) and fewest points allowed per game (18.3).
``They play an unorthodox style of defence,'' said Eskimos wide receiver Ed Hervey, referring to it as ``match coverage.''
``If there are three receivers to one side, they put four guys over there. When there are two guys on the boundary, they use three guys.
``It's like a basketball zone. They pass guys off, which makes it very difficult to find passing lanes.''
The Eskimos are also fighting the injury bug, especially in the secondary. Cornerback Roosevelt Williams is out with a torn rotator cuff. Malcolm Frank got a burner in his shoulder against Saskatchewan last week but should play.
``People thought I was joking here yesterday when I said anybody that can backpedal will play for us on Monday, but that's exactly where we're at,'' said Maciocia.
The Eskimos have four games left to salvage a season stained by inconsistent play, bad penalties and controversy _ some players challenged Maciocia last week for questioning their pride.
Maciocia found himself a distraction this week when his name surfaced as a possible replacement for Montreal Alouettes head coach Don Matthews, who quit the team for health reasons.
The 39-year-old Maciocia is from Montreal, is trilingual, has worked with the Alouettes, knows the organization and the Quebec amateur football scene.
But he said his family has put down roots in the Alberta capital: ``I'm proud to call this place home.''
Home is where the fun can be, even on a team that may miss the playoffs for the first time in a generation.
As a practical joke Friday, players cleaned out wide receiver Trevor Gaylor's locker, then had to hide their smiles when Gaylor came in and thought he had been cut. A scowl clouded his face. He paced the locker-room, fingers gripped ever tighter around his paper bag of McDonald's lunch.
``What's up, T?'' someone shouted.
``Don't have my equipment, man,'' he grumbled.
He pointedly snubbed Maciocia, walked around saying a few goodbyes then listened to the eruption of laughter when he learned the joke was on him.
``That was crazy, baby'' he said.
It was a sign that a 5-9 team hadn't lost its spirit.
But also a reminder that in football it's always fun until someone has to clean out their locker.
