The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Micah Johnson — the CFL’s co-leader in sacks — has received plenty of accolades for his excellence on defence this season.
The laurels continued to come his way on Sunday, when he was one of the Wireless Age player-of-the-game nominees following a Labour Day weekend thriller against the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
For a change, however, excellence on the offensive side of the ball factored into the glowing appraisal of Johnson.
Due to injuries along the offensive line, the 36-year-old defensive tackle was called upon to play right guard for the final 1½ quarters.
“That O-line stuff is crazy,” said Johnson, managing a smile after the Blue Bombers’ 35-33 victory. “The D-line is easy.”
That was said in jest, of course, but the five-time All-Star knows the drill on defence.
But offence? Not until Aug. 3, when Johnson moved to the O-line for a brief spell against the visiting Edmonton Elks.
Then came Sept. 1, when two injuries necessitated some adjustments.
After Peter Godber left the game early in the second quarter, the backup offensive lineman (Zack Fry) was summoned for duty.
Fry was hurt midway through the third quarter. Initially, Godber returned to the field before being called back to the sideline by Offensive Line Coach Edwin Harrison.
The next step was for Johnson to don a nameless No. 57 jersey and join the offence.
“He was fantastic,” said quarterback Trevor Harris, who threw for 243 of his 368 yards in the second half.
Johnson, who typically wears No. 4, was quick to thank the other four Roughriders who finished the game on the offensive line — Logan Ferland, Trevon Tate, Trevor Reid and Noah Zerr.
“All of them just helped and made it easy for me,” Johnson said. “They just talked me through all the situations on the sideline and told me what to expect.
“There was just constant communication. They were basically just telling me my job from play to play. At that point, I knew what I was supposed to do, so it was just about executing.”
And execute he did.
“I wish it was really easy for people to understand how hard it is to switch at any position on your side of the ball, let alone going to the opposite side,” marvelled Head Coach Corey Mace, a former defensive tackle.
“The fact that Micah Johnson’s playing most of the second half at right guard is a credit to him doing whatever he has to do help this team.
“It’s very selfless and a credit to the guys around him, just keeping him locked in and trying to make it simple.”
Johnson is one of 13 Roughriders to have spent some time on an injury-riddled offensive line this season.
Miles Brown, a defensive tackle by trade, has also been summoned for emergency duty on offence.
Eleven offensive linemen have dressed for at least one game: Ferland, Fry, Godber, Reid, Tate, Jacob Brammer, Philip Blake, Brandon Council, Jermarcus Hardrick, Nick Jones and Ryan Sceviour.
Blake, Brammer, Hardrick and Sceviour are on the six-game injured list.
The practice roster includes three offensive linemen — Jones, Daniel Johnson and Braydon Noll.
The status of Godber and Fry for Saturday’s rematch in Winnipeg isn’t likely to be known until the Roughriders resume practising on Wednesday.
The Labour Day rematch will feature the league’s sack leaders. Micah Johnson and Winnipeg’s Willie Jefferson are tied with six each.
Considering Johnson’s strong showing on the offensive line this past weekend, could he perhaps line up opposite of Jefferson and friends at Princess Auto Stadium?
“I hope not,” Johnson said in response to the lighthearted question.
“I’m trying to keep getting sacks. I’m trying to keep chasing down the quarterback.
“We’ve got to get some wins, so I’ve got to do what I can for the team.”
