Jermaine Gabriel Shines

[jerrym]

With Jermaine Garbriel's 6 scrimmage tackles, 1 ST tackle and 2 sacks, it looks as if he will be a key member of the team for a long-term. Hopefully, Jones won't start yanking him out of the defensive lineup when he makes the inevitable rookie mistakes. He has also been a key member of the turnaround in our special teams this year. It's good to see a Canadian from junior football, an often overlooked talent source, succeed.

At the completion of Week 10, Argos' special teams were covering punts better than any other group in the Canadian Football League. With an average return of just 4.1 yards, opposition ball carriers have been well-smothered. Only Saskatchewan's punt coverage team had a comparable number at 5.6 yards against per return. All others were averaging at least 8 yards against per return, with the Montreal Alouettes dead last at 11.7 per.

4.1. yards. Contrast that with the Argos of 2012 and you see immense improvement. Last season's special teams unit yielded and average of 10.1 yards per punt return and gave up two touchdowns (The 2013 punt return average was dented slightly in Montreal on Sunday, with Alouette returner Tyron Carrier gaining 41 yards on 5 returns).

There's improvement elsewhere, too. In 2012, the Argos gave up an average kick-off return of 25.2 yards. The team has shaved a full five yards off that stat this season (Even better against the Alouettes in Week 11, where the Als were held to an average of 18.8 yards).

Missed field goals were a nightmare last year. 10 of them. Tougher to cover, 3 were hauled back for touchdowns while the overall return average worked out to 47.6 yards. In 2013, 4 missed field goals have been returned for a paltry average of just over 14 yards.

“It’s come along," says O'Shea, understating the improvement of special teams coverage. ...

Rookie Jermaine Gabriel, the back-up safety who is tied with Pottinger with 10 STT, has injected his own brand of hell-bent for leather attitude. Proud of the unit's accomplishments, he maintains it can only get better.

“We’re gelling right now as a unit. We know what each other’s going to do. It’s easier now," he said.

"We don’t say much about it. But, I’m trying to lead the team in special teams tackles," said Gabriel. "I’m trying to be up there in the league in special teams tackles."
That's a mission that can help spur Gabriel and those around him to greater heights on special teams. But he - like Pottinger - pointed out that individual stats do not take precedence. It's a theme embraced by others, too

http://cfl.ca/article/landry-argos-c...rners-in-check

[doubleblue]

It is good to see the Argos get a break on one of their high draft picks. Too many have gone to the NFL and got lost in the shuffle. Also to find a player like Gabriel who can contribute in his first year by playing more than ST's. Generally it takes a couple of years for the rookie Canadian's to be ready to play in the starting lineup.