There was no question in Mike (Pinball) Clemons' mind that running back John Avery will play Tuesday night when the Toronto Argonauts kick off the 2004 CFL regular season against the Saskatchewan Roughriders at SkyDome.
But Clemons isn't quite so sure about just how much field time the slick running back will see.
Avery, Toronto's marquee off-season addition, practised very sparingly in training camp and skipped the Argos' two pre-season games as he continued his recovery from knee surgery.
But Clemons said Monday Avery has been able to run hard in practice recently and fully expects the former NFL first-round draft pick to be in uniform versus Saskatchewan (TSN, 7:30 p.m. ET).
``For him, he said he wasn't quite full speed but for everyone else it looks like it was mach speed,'' Clemons said during a media gathering at SkyDome. ``But he ran around well and feels he can compete.
``We want to be very cautious. He may play a quarter, he may play a half. He will play is our estimation at this point but we don't know how long.''
Toronto signed Avery to a multi-year deal reportedly worth $250,000 annually knowing he had suffered a season-ending knee injury with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings last season.
In 2002, Avery rushed for a CFL-high 1,448 yards with the Edmonton Eskimos despite starting the year on the bench.
If Avery does play, at least he'll have the benefit of a new surface at SkyDome.
While Clemons and Saskatchewan head coach Danny Barrett spoke with reporters Monday, stadium officials were busy installing a new turf, reportedly worth $300,000, with rubber beads that were being mechanically brushed into the playing surface to give it more bounce and softness.
Of course, Avery's status for Tuesday's game could change quickly.
Avery was scheduled to undergo a medical examination Monday, and if he was deemed medically unable to play, Toronto will appeal to the league for a roster exemption.
CFL teams must declare their rosters 48 hours before a game but if a player pulls up lame after that time, clubs can request a commissioners' exemption to replace the injured player in time for the game. But the exemption is usually provided for emergencies unrelated to existing injuries.
If Avery can't play and no exemption is given, Canadian fullback Jeff Johnson will be the lone back in new offensive co-ordinator Kent Austin's five-receiver set.
Roughriders coach Danny Barrett expects Avery to play but said he won't change his defensive gameplan if Avery is scratched.
``It's still too early in the season to try to match up personnel-wise,'' he said. ``What you go by is what you saw in tapes of pre-season games.
``Obviously, he didn't play but at the same time they did run the ball and I don't think their running schemes will change. We do expect them to run the shovel pass with Avery in there.''
Tuesday's game involves two teams with high expectations. Both Toronto and Saskatchewan made the playoffs last year, advancing to their respective division finals before having their seasons end with bitter road defeats.
For Clemons and Barrett, the goal for 2004 is crystal clear: Win two more playoff games than they did last year.
The game will also be another opportunity for Saskatchewan defensive tackle Nate Davis to catch up with Toronto offensive lineman Mike Mihelic.
The two were college teammates at the University of Indiana but Mihelic will be making his Argonauts debut after being acquired in a deal with Hamilton for quarterback Marcus Brady.
``I love playing against Mike every chance I get,'' Davis said. ``Mike is definitely like (Riders offensive lineman) Andrew Greene in that he has more of a defensive lineman's mentality and approaches the game a little bit more aggressively than other offensive linemen.
`` He likes to get fired up and I'm always fired up for him.''
Notes - Jackie Mitchell, Saskatchewan's all-star linebacker, didn't make the trip Monday due to a hamstring injury. He will be replaced by Fred Perry, who was released Saturday . . . How important is it to win the first game of the season? According to the CFL, 69.8 per cent of all Grey Cup-winning teams won their opening game of the year.
But Clemons isn't quite so sure about just how much field time the slick running back will see.
Avery, Toronto's marquee off-season addition, practised very sparingly in training camp and skipped the Argos' two pre-season games as he continued his recovery from knee surgery.
But Clemons said Monday Avery has been able to run hard in practice recently and fully expects the former NFL first-round draft pick to be in uniform versus Saskatchewan (TSN, 7:30 p.m. ET).
``For him, he said he wasn't quite full speed but for everyone else it looks like it was mach speed,'' Clemons said during a media gathering at SkyDome. ``But he ran around well and feels he can compete.
``We want to be very cautious. He may play a quarter, he may play a half. He will play is our estimation at this point but we don't know how long.''
Toronto signed Avery to a multi-year deal reportedly worth $250,000 annually knowing he had suffered a season-ending knee injury with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings last season.
In 2002, Avery rushed for a CFL-high 1,448 yards with the Edmonton Eskimos despite starting the year on the bench.
If Avery does play, at least he'll have the benefit of a new surface at SkyDome.
While Clemons and Saskatchewan head coach Danny Barrett spoke with reporters Monday, stadium officials were busy installing a new turf, reportedly worth $300,000, with rubber beads that were being mechanically brushed into the playing surface to give it more bounce and softness.
Of course, Avery's status for Tuesday's game could change quickly.
Avery was scheduled to undergo a medical examination Monday, and if he was deemed medically unable to play, Toronto will appeal to the league for a roster exemption.
CFL teams must declare their rosters 48 hours before a game but if a player pulls up lame after that time, clubs can request a commissioners' exemption to replace the injured player in time for the game. But the exemption is usually provided for emergencies unrelated to existing injuries.
If Avery can't play and no exemption is given, Canadian fullback Jeff Johnson will be the lone back in new offensive co-ordinator Kent Austin's five-receiver set.
Roughriders coach Danny Barrett expects Avery to play but said he won't change his defensive gameplan if Avery is scratched.
``It's still too early in the season to try to match up personnel-wise,'' he said. ``What you go by is what you saw in tapes of pre-season games.
``Obviously, he didn't play but at the same time they did run the ball and I don't think their running schemes will change. We do expect them to run the shovel pass with Avery in there.''
Tuesday's game involves two teams with high expectations. Both Toronto and Saskatchewan made the playoffs last year, advancing to their respective division finals before having their seasons end with bitter road defeats.
For Clemons and Barrett, the goal for 2004 is crystal clear: Win two more playoff games than they did last year.
The game will also be another opportunity for Saskatchewan defensive tackle Nate Davis to catch up with Toronto offensive lineman Mike Mihelic.
The two were college teammates at the University of Indiana but Mihelic will be making his Argonauts debut after being acquired in a deal with Hamilton for quarterback Marcus Brady.
``I love playing against Mike every chance I get,'' Davis said. ``Mike is definitely like (Riders offensive lineman) Andrew Greene in that he has more of a defensive lineman's mentality and approaches the game a little bit more aggressively than other offensive linemen.
`` He likes to get fired up and I'm always fired up for him.''
Notes - Jackie Mitchell, Saskatchewan's all-star linebacker, didn't make the trip Monday due to a hamstring injury. He will be replaced by Fred Perry, who was released Saturday . . . How important is it to win the first game of the season? According to the CFL, 69.8 per cent of all Grey Cup-winning teams won their opening game of the year.
