Cage is all the rage at Argos camp as veteran left tackle returns from ankle injury

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Isiah Cage was poised to have a breakout season in the CFL when calamity struck.

Article content

Little did Cage know at the time that his breakout moment would literally involve a break to his ankle.

A bad break for an elite offensive lineman, an even worse turn of events for the Argos, who would lose their premier player along the line of scrimmage for the balance of the 2021 season.

Cage is back at Guelph, site of this year’s horrific mishap, stronger than ever and once again ready to emerge as a presence at left tackle, one of football’s most important areas.

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The blind-side protection is crucial and a healthy Cage gives the Argos an advantage.

In layman’s terms, Cage became a victim of football’s version of friendly fire when a teammate rolled his ankle on what would be the final play during camp.

As fate would have it, it was the last snap Cage would take.

Article content

He missed the entire season.

“I tore my ankle up,’’ said Cage in recalling that moment in Guelph. “I had to have surgery back in the U.S. and pretty much spent the year rehabbing to get the leg right and here I am today.”

Looking back, the toughest part, admits Cage, was coming to the realization that his football season was over and done it well before the actual season kicked off.

Cage is big and physical, brings a mean edge, athletic with long arms and good feet.

In other words, he has the perfect body and mind to play at left tackle.

And he’s tough.

The process of getting back on the field began by exploring the best surgical option.

It was one of many setbacks Cage has endured since he first joined the Argos in 2018.

Much like any American new to three-down football, Cage bided his time as he learned the nuances of a new game.

Article content

Once he got on the field, his impact was immediately felt.

During a game in Moncton against the Als in late August three years ago, Cage was hurt and he missed the balance of the season.

The 2020 CFL season was cancelled because of COVID.

The next bout of adversity played out at Guelph during camp in 2021.

“I was in a cast for six to eight weeks,’’ he said. “When I came out of the cast I had to learn how to walk. Earlier in the off-season, there was a lot of upper body work.

“It took time to build things up where I can go full speed. I’ve had injuries in the past where I was inhibited, but this is pro football and you can’t have those issues stop you from doing what you need to do.”

Mentally, there was no feeling of apprehension when he reported to camp this year and returned to the site of his season-ending ankle injury.

Article content

What Cage felt was the normal jitters of camp.

“I was mostly excited,’’ said Cage. “It was nice being around the guys and the team.”

Football is the ultimate team sport.

As any injured player would readily admit, the worst part is not being with the team.

He’s now back with the Argos.

Cage believes he has that same feeling from a year ago knowing big things await.

“I’m definitely primed to have a good year,’’ he continued. “Working on my playbook, knocking this rust off, I’m looking to have a good year.”

McLeod Bethel-Thompson, the Argos’ starting quarterback and a divisional all-star last year, welcomes the return of Cage.

“Speaking as a quarterback, my livelihood and well-being are utterly and completely dependent on the five guys in front of me,’’ he said. “Any time we can add a guy like Isiah, and it was really hard seeing him go down last year for the whole season.

Article content

“He’s been working hard to get back and it makes me a very, very happy man to have him around.”

NEWS AND NOTES

Speaking of leg injuries, the Argos on Friday moved veteran Canadian DB Arjen Colquhoun to the retired list. The hard-luck Colquhoun was taken off the field on a stretcher last season in Montreal. He never suited up again. During his time in Edmonton, Colquhoun had to endure his share of injuries as well … The team also announced the signing of DL Deionte Knight, whom the Argos took 10th overall in this year’s draft. Knight played at Western and won the J.P. Metras Trophy in 2021 as the nation’s top lineman. He joins the Argos after Knight attended NFL rookie camps with the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers … The first of two-a-days begins Saturday at Guelph … The door isn’t closed on D.J. Foster, who acquitted himself well during his first season in the CFL last year, a dual-threat running back. “We’ll keep the door open for him,’’ said head coach Ryan Dinwiddie, who had Foster and CFL veteran John White IV in the backfield together at times. “He has other things going on. We understood that. There’s a potential for a return to the NFL. If not, he might get into the real world. Hopefully, he’s back at some point. If not, that’s life. We like our tailback position.” Free-agent Andrew Harris will be the featured back. The Argos have been impressed with rookie Canadian Daniel Adeboboye, a Toronto native who went in the second round (15th overall).

[email protected]

Article content

Isiah Cage was poised to have a breakout season in the CFL when calamity struck.

Article content

Little did Cage know at the time that his breakout moment would literally involve a break to his ankle.

A bad break for an elite offensive lineman, an even worse turn of events for the Argos, who would lose their premier player along the line of scrimmage for the balance of the 2021 season.

Cage is back at Guelph, site of this year’s horrific mishap, stronger than ever and once again ready to emerge as a presence at left tackle, one of football’s most important areas.

Article content

The blind-side protection is crucial and a healthy Cage gives the Argos an advantage.

In layman’s terms, Cage became a victim of football’s version of friendly fire when a teammate rolled his ankle on what would be the final play during camp.

As fate would have it, it was the last snap Cage would take.

Article content

He missed the entire season.

“I tore my ankle up,’’ said Cage in recalling that moment in Guelph. “I had to have surgery back in the U.S. and pretty much spent the year rehabbing to get the leg right and here I am today.”

Looking back, the toughest part, admits Cage, was coming to the realization that his football season was over and done it well before the actual season kicked off.

Cage is big and physical, brings a mean edge, athletic with long arms and good feet.

In other words, he has the perfect body and mind to play at left tackle.

And he’s tough.

The process of getting back on the field began by exploring the best surgical option.

It was one of many setbacks Cage has endured since he first joined the Argos in 2018.

Much like any American new to three-down football, Cage bided his time as he learned the nuances of a new game.

Article content

Once he got on the field, his impact was immediately felt.

During a game in Moncton against the Als in late August three years ago, Cage was hurt and he missed the balance of the season.

The 2020 CFL season was cancelled because of COVID.

The next bout of adversity played out at Guelph during camp in 2021.

“I was in a cast for six to eight weeks,’’ he said. “When I came out of the cast I had to learn how to walk. Earlier in the off-season, there was a lot of upper body work.

“It took time to build things up where I can go full speed. I’ve had injuries in the past where I was inhibited, but this is pro football and you can’t have those issues stop you from doing what you need to do.”

Mentally, there was no feeling of apprehension when he reported to camp this year and returned to the site of his season-ending ankle injury.

Article content

What Cage felt was the normal jitters of camp.

“I was mostly excited,’’ said Cage. “It was nice being around the guys and the team.”

Football is the ultimate team sport.

As any injured player would readily admit, the worst part is not being with the team.

He’s now back with the Argos.

Cage believes he has that same feeling from a year ago knowing big things await.

“I’m definitely primed to have a good year,’’ he continued. “Working on my playbook, knocking this rust off, I’m looking to have a good year.”

McLeod Bethel-Thompson, the Argos’ starting quarterback and a divisional all-star last year, welcomes the return of Cage.

“Speaking as a quarterback, my livelihood and well-being are utterly and completely dependent on the five guys in front of me,’’ he said. “Any time we can add a guy like Isiah, and it was really hard seeing him go down last year for the whole season.

Article content

“He’s been working hard to get back and it makes me a very, very happy man to have him around.”

NEWS AND NOTES

Speaking of leg injuries, the Argos on Friday moved veteran Canadian DB Arjen Colquhoun to the retired list. The hard-luck Colquhoun was taken off the field on a stretcher last season in Montreal. He never suited up again. During his time in Edmonton, Colquhoun had to endure his share of injuries as well … The team also announced the signing of DL Deionte Knight, whom the Argos took 10th overall in this year’s draft. Knight played at Western and won the J.P. Metras Trophy in 2021 as the nation’s top lineman. He joins the Argos after Knight attended NFL rookie camps with the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers … The first of two-a-days begins Saturday at Guelph … The door isn’t closed on D.J. Foster, who acquitted himself well during his first season in the CFL last year, a dual-threat running back. “We’ll keep the door open for him,’’ said head coach Ryan Dinwiddie, who had Foster and CFL veteran John White IV in the backfield together at times. “He has other things going on. We understood that. There’s a potential for a return to the NFL. If not, he might get into the real world. Hopefully, he’s back at some point. If not, that’s life. We like our tailback position.” Free-agent Andrew Harris will be the featured back. The Argos have been impressed with rookie Canadian Daniel Adeboboye, a Toronto native who went in the second round (15th overall).

[email protected]