– There’s something about playing with the Toronto Argonauts that agrees with Adarius Pickett.
asserted
that → ’ → Pickett
The five-foot-11, 195-pound linebacker leads the CFL in defensive tackles (92), total tackles (103, with 11 on special teams) and defensive plays (120).
asserted
linebacker → lead → teams
Pickett also has three sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and six tackles for a loss.
asserted
Pickett → have → loss
Back in 2023 during his first stint in Toronto, Pickett was the East Division’s top defensive player after establishing career highs in defensive tackles (105), special-teams tackles (19), total tackles (124) and sacks (six).
asserted
Pickett → establish → tackles
“I’m just doing what I’m coached to do, enjoying myself in the process and trying to be the same sparkplug for my teammates,” Pickett said Friday.
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Pickett → do → teammates
“I really enjoy playing here.
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I → play → ?
I have a great time.”
asserted
I → have → time
Toronto (9-6) hosts the B.C. Lions (8-6) on Saturday afternoon.
asserted
Toronto → host → afternoon
The Argos have clinched a home playoff game and remain — mathematically at least — in contention for first in the East Division.
But the Montreal Alouettes (11-3) would clinch top spot — and host the East final Nov. 7 — with a Toronto loss to B.C. and a home win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-7) on Saturday night.
Pickett, 30, isn’t the only Argos defensive player enjoying a solid campaign.
asserted
Pickett → clinch → campaign
Middle linebacker Isaac Darkangelo — given the unenviable task of replacing veteran Wynton McManis (now in Hamilton) — is second overall in defensive tackles (90) and total tackles (96) and third in defensive plays (100).
asserted
Darkangelo → give → plays
Defensive lineman Shawn Lemon, 38, is tied for third in sacks (eight in nine games) just ahead of teammates Ralph Holley (six) and Jonathan Kongbo (five).
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Lemon → tie → Holley
Defensive back Benjie Franklin is tied for fifth in takeaways (five) and sixth in interceptions (four).
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Franklin → tie → interceptions
Toronto also leads the CFL in sacks (37) and fewest TD passes allowed (21).
asserted
Toronto → lead → sacks
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“I feel like we have a tremendous team at every level,” Pickett said.
asserted
Pickett → get → level
“I’m just trying to do my part to make sure I can help those guys keep playing well.”
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guys → try → part
One reason why Pickett returned to Toronto following two seasons in Ottawa was to reunite with defensive co-ordinator Greg Quick.
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Pickett → return → Quick
The gregarious Pickett, affectionately dubbed The Party Starter, began his CFL career with Montreal (2021-22), and Quick was his position coach there.
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Quick → dub → Montreal
“Coach Quick understands how to utilize me,” Pickett said.
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Pickett → understand → me
“He moves me around and puts me in different positions, so I can’t be keyed on in one spot.
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I → move → spot
”
But Pickett said the ability of Toronto’s defensive front to pressure opposing quarterbacks also helps.
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ability → say → quarterbacks
“That impacts the game in a major way,” he said.
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he → impact → way
“You’ve got guys who’re getting to the ball, getting to the quarterback, and that makes my job easier.
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job → get → quarterback
“Now they can’t just key on me.
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they → key → me
When they do, someone else is free.”
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someone → do → ?
Pickett’s play has put him squarely in the conversation for the CFL’s top defensive player award.
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play → put → award
Predictably, though, he dismissed any talk regarding individual achievements.
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he → dismiss → achievements
“People talk about them (awards) but my job, and why they brought me here, is to help lead the team,” Pickett said.
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Pickett → talk → team
“That’s more important than anything else.
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That → ’ → anything
“I think individual accolades come with team success.”
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accolades → think → success
“For him, it’s all about winning and that next play,” Miller said.
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Miller → ’ → winning
“He’s definitely a process-driven guy, and we’re blessed to have him.
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we → ’ → him
“He’s just an experienced veteran leader who plays this game in a very physical way and just wears his passion to play this game on his sleeve.
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who → ’ → sleeve
Of more importance to Pickett is helping Toronto finish its regular season strong and maintain that in the playoffs.
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Toronto → help → playoffs
“Continue getting better as we head into the playoffs and just win,” he said.
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he → get → playoffs
“That’s the biggest goal from the team’s perspective.
asserted
That → ’ → perspective
“I know if I’m playing how I’ve been playing, I can contribute to winning.
asserted
I → know → winning
On Saturday, Toronto faces B.C. for the second time this season.
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Toronto → face → time
Back in August, the Argos earned a 26-12 victory in Vancouver.
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Argos → earn → Vancouver
Lions starter Nathan Rourke didn’t play then, but the CFL’s outstanding player and top Canadian last season will suit up Saturday.
asserted
player → play → ?
B.C. comes in leading the CFL in total offence (428.5 yards per game) and second in both rushing (117.6 yards) and passing (326.3 yards).
asserted
B.C. → come → rushing
…and 3 more, not listed.
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