Micah Johnson: ‘I don’t think you can lose a Yoshi or a Philip Blake and act like nothing happened’
“It’s one of those things that no matter the situation, someone is going to step up,” said defensive tackle Micah Johnson. “But I don’t think you can lose a Yoshi or a Philip Blake and act like nothing happened. Know what I’m saying?”
Now the Roughriders are hoping Blake, who was hurt in Saskatchewan’s second game, and Hardrick, an ex-Bomber who signed a free-agent deal in the offseason, recover sooner than expected from their “long-term” quadriceps injuries.
Injuries are understandably a part of football, but along with the recent loss of defensive lineman Charbel Dabire, the Roughriders have had a huge part of their veteran leadership group purged from the active roster.
“You’re talking about guys on offence, defence, special teams,” said Johnson. “We consider ourself a deep team and it’s one of those things where you want to say, ‘Next man up,’ but you know it makes a difference.”
After a “shortened” week before hosting the Blue Bombers, who are on a two-game winning streak, the Roughriders face another six-day break before visiting the reigning Grey Cup-champion Montreal Alouettes on July 25.
Winnipeg tailback Brady Oliveira, quarterback Zach Collaros and rookie receiver Ontaria Wilson will challenge Saskatchewan’s defence, which has been nearly impenetrable against the run but seemingly vulnerable against passing attacks. The Roughriders are surrendering a league-low 47 rushing yards and a league-high 341 passing yards per game. The Roughriders also lead the league with 16 forced turnovers, including 11 interceptions.
“The run game is the most physical part of football,” said Johnson. “I know everybody likes sacks and pass rushing and different things like that. As much as this is a pass-heavy league, you gotta be able to stop the run.
“We’re trying to hold (offences) to two or three yards on first down, because if we keep teams second-and-long it helps our ballhawks in the secondary.”
Mace told reporters after the B.C. game he didn’t expect his team to go undefeated this season, a comment that despite its logic and sincerity didn’t resonate too well with the entire Riders fanbase. Johnson understood the sentiment.
“We’re such a competitive group and that was a sour feeling (in B.C.),” said Johnson. “It’s hard to go undefeated. Obviously you want to and you wanna to out there and win every game, but it doesn’t happen.”
Johnson is one of the team’s remaining veteran leaders, always playing hard, aware of the team’s well-being and capable of encapsulating it for others. Against the Lions he uncharacteristically took a late-game penalty and chided himself for losing his composure.
“I think the short week helps,” said Johnson. “We learned a few lessons, we can’t make mistakes, as a detail-oriented team we have to look after the details and we can’t take penalties. Obviously we have to fill in a few areas with the injuries.
“You know, this is just another opportunity to come out and prove who we are.”
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