CFL.ca Staff

TORONTO -- It was quite the week in the CFL: After over a year of waiting Argos fans got a chance to cheer a home victory. The Alouettes got their revenge against the Lions. Saskatchewan routed Winnipeg in the Banjo Bowl and the Stamps and Eskimos once again put on a show. Amidst all the fun were a number of firsts for CFL rookies. The Week #11 rookie report recounts all of the top freshmen performances and plays of the week.

STARTING ON THE RIGHT FOOT

With Mark Estelle sidelined with an injury De’Audre Dix made his first CFL start at cornerback for the Alouettes in Sunday’s 28-24 win over the Lions. Dix made the most of his opportunity recording his first career interception in the third quarter. He also showed some good return skills returning the ball 41 yards following the pick.

It wasn’t all rosy for Dix though as he was victimized on a touchdown catch by BC slotback O’Neil Wilson in third quarter. In all fairness Dix was right there on the coverage but Wilson simply went up over the top and made an outstanding leaping grab.

Besides the INT Dix also recorded two tackles and a special teams tackle in the revenge win for the Alouettes.

HEY MR. CARTER

In his first appearance with the Argos since signing on September 1, Jason Carter had an impressive four catches for 94 yards to help the Argos snap a 10-game home losing skid. Carter gives the Argos another mid-level to deep threat in a steadily improving passing game.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about Carter’s debut against the Ticats was the faith the Argos showed in him in crunch time. The former Texas A&M star caught two passes for 29 and 23 yards, accounting for over half of the yardage on Toronto’s go ahead touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter. Carter was also thrown to in overtime although he was well covered and didn’t make the catch.

Before joining the Argos Carter previously had stints with the Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers of the NFL.

COMING UP CLUTCH

First year Montreal DB Jerald Brown had the unenviable task of matching up against Geroy Simon and Paris Jackson on Sunday. Overall it was a tough afternoon for the former arena football star as he was flagged multiple times for illegal contact and saw his covers make multiple first down catches.

All was forgotten however late in the fourth quarter as Brown stepped up when the Als needed it most. With the Alouettes trailing with under three minutes to play the first year DB came up with maybe the biggest play of his CFL career:

It was second and two for BC with 2:24 to play and BC leading 24-21. The Lions handed the ball off to Martell Mallett, but Brown came flying around the left corner and met Mallett at the line of scrimmage tackling him short of the first down marker. BC was forced to punt and the Als offence Montreal marched down the field to score the winning TD.

OTHER NOTABLE ROOKIES

Tim Johnson – The Calgary linebacker has quickly become a leader on the defensive side of the ball for the Stamps. Johnson led the way with 10 tackles for the Stampeder D in their thrilling win over the Eskimos.

Chad Lucas – The Argos first year receiver continued to be the go to guy in the Argos passing game on Friday. Lucas led the Argos with five catches for 87 yards as the Argos snapped their five game losing skid.

Darren Toney – The Lions DB finished tied for the team lead with six tackles in Sunday’s loss to the Alouettes.

Khari Long – Hamilton’s first year defensive lineman had an impressive game with five tackles, one sack and a pass knockdown in the Ticats loss Friday.

John Eubanks – The Stamps linebacker recorded his first interception of the season in Friday night’s victory over the Eskimos.

Martell Mallett – No record breaking performance this week but an okay afternoon for the first year running back. Mallett finished with 66 yards rushing and 10 yards receiving on 15 touches.

DeAndra’ Cobb – A pretty good day yardage wise for Cobb with 10 carries for 93 yards and six catches for 39 yards. However, Cobb also lost a fumble in the fourth quarter.

Daniel Francis – The first year Rider safety saw more action than usual in Saskatchewan’s 55-10 lambasting of the Bombers on Sunday. Francis had two special teams tackles, one defensive tackle and a forced fumble in the Banjo Bowl victory.

Arkee Whitlock – It was a solid game in a losing effort for the Eskimos first year RB. Whitlock had 90 yards rushing on 14 carries and one catch for seven yards in the Eskimos 35-34 loss to the Stamps.

Marquay McDaniel – In addition to his usual return numbers the first year Ticat had two catches for 40 yards in Hamilton’s loss to the Argos on Friday night.

Rod Davis – The first year defensive end recorded one tackle and his first career interception in the Eskimos loss on Friday.