THE CANADIAN PRESS

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. -- Defensive end Riall Johnson is back in Toronto Argonauts head coach Don Matthews' good graces.

Johnson lost his starting job two weeks ago to American Claude Harriott as Matthews put Johnson in a rotation at end with Harriott and veteran Jonathan Brown. At the time, Matthews said it was incumbent upon Johnson to show him that he deserved more playing time.

On Wednesday, without any urging from the gathered media, Matthews gushed about Johnson, especially the effort he has seen from the former Stanford Cardinal this week.

"He has really shown me some things in practice that he is really gifted at," Matthews said. "We're going to try to increase his role on the field in the defensive scheme because of the unique skill that he has as a combination linebacker-pass rusher-defensive lineman.

"I could see in the future that Riall's role could become larger just because of his skills. I mean, he was flying around (Tuesday) and I said, `Who is that masked man?' We've got to take guys like that and understand their skills and then scheme things for them to use their skills and that's the process I'm learning. I didn't know that last week because he had foot problems and was unable to practise."

Johnson was very vocal about his disappointment when he lost his starting job and wasn't the least bit impressed Wednesday when told about Matthews' hearty praise.

"I don't know what to think right now," he said. "I don't know what's going on, I don't think any of the players know what's going on in terms of their position.

"All I know is I lost my job while I was injured. Now I have to get it back some how, some way and I'm doing everything I can to do that."

Surprisingly, Johnson didn't stop there when asked if Matthews' comments were a sign that Johnson was heading in the right direction in his quest to return to the starting lineup.

"The question is, is it going in the right direction or not going as far in the wrong direction as it was?" he said. "For me, there's nothing a coach or anyone can say that's going to make me play less hard.

"I play out there for my teammates and to win. If I wasn't good at football I wouldn't do it. Plain and simple: I don't need football. I can get a job that pays more than this but I don't want to work in an office right now. This is what I choose to do and I do it because I love it. So there's nothing anyone else is going to say that's going to make me play less hard. What they're saying about me, whether it's positive or negative, really doesn't have much of an effect on me. I'm just going to play hard wherever I'm at."

Johnson hasn't been the only member of Toronto's defence to catch Matthews' eye of late. The Argos head coach has been very impressed with sophomore linebacker Willie Pile, who has amassed a team-high 60 tackles this season and was very solid in last week's game 24-20 home loss to B.C.

"He is the prototype Sam linebacker, he's physically fit," Matthews said. "And now, his understanding of the game has come to a new level and he's really making some plays.

"Is he done developing? No, he's not. But I'll tell you what, he's on a fast track to really doing a nice job for us."

What makes the six-foot-two, 204-pound Pile special is his physical versatility. He's big and strong enough to effectively play the run but has the quickness to get back quickly in coverage on passing downs. Against B.C., he had a game-high six tackles but also recorded a sack as the Argos also utilized him in their blitz package.

"At the Sam (strongside linebacker) you really have to be a jack of all trades," said Pile. "But we've got guys up front who can get pressure, which allows (linebackers) to roam and just make plays, which we did last week.

"But when I got my number called (to blitz) I definitely was ready to go, I really was."

Toronto last called the six-foot-three, 250-pound Johnson's number to start in a 45-19 loss to Montreal on Sept. 7. But he left in the fourth quarter with a groin injury and remained on the injured list when Rich Stubler was fired as Argos head and replaced by Matthews.

Johnson remained on the sidelines for Toronto's first two games under Matthews -- a 39-9 loss to Winnipeg and 34-4 road decision to Calgary. He returned to the lineup on a rotation basis for the Argos' 44-16 home loss to the Stampeders as well as last week's game versus B.C.

And the expectation is Johnson will open Friday's crucial game in Winnipeg on Friday night on the sidelines and in a rotation with Harriott and Brown.

Johnson, 30, who had a career-high 10 sacks last season with Toronto, played well against B.C., recording a sack, two defensive tackles and two more on special teams. But Johnson said playing hard, both to help the Argos win and also reclaim his starting job, has been difficult.

"He (Matthews) came in saying no one had any money in the bank with him," Johnson said. "But he doesn't have any money in the bank with us either.

"You can take that how you want it. But it's like we've been here busting our butts trying to win, it hasn't worked out. Do we need to be punished for it? Probably. He (Matthews) has to make his evaluations instantly and it's tough on him but we're still here playing and trying to fight to make the playoffs and fighting for our jobs. It's added stress for us knowing that we're just not only trying to win now, people are just trying to keep their jobs or get our jobs back. It's rough on us and it has been rough on me."

A saving grace about Johnson's limited playing time is it's given him more of an opportunity to heal physically.

"Getting less reps, I'm actually happy with. Am I happy about not starting? No," he said. "But having someone to roll in with and stay fresh has actually been better on my body.

"Playing defensive end at 235 (pounds) is rough. Physically I'm feeling better every day just not having to do as many plays."

NOTES -- The CFL's trade deadline of 3:59 ET on Wednesday came and went without a deal being made ... Matthews also said Wednesday that running back/special-teams star Dominique Dorsey won't play Friday against Winnipeg as he continues to nurse a high ankle sprain. Receiver P.K. Sam, who has a groin injury, is listed as questionable ... On Saturday, Hamilton Tiger-Cats centre Marwan Hage will take part in a Thanksgiving food share program as a part of his Hage's Heroes community initiative. Hage has teamed up FTC Canada and, with the help of Toronto Argonauts defensive tackle Adriano Belli, will provide Thanksgiving meals to 1,000 families in Hamilton. Hage will meet Belli at Mariposa Meats to load a truck with 1,000 hams, then return to Hamilton to distribute the hams and food boxes provided by FTC Canada to families at Hughson Street Baptist Church later that afternoon... . The B.C. Lions will wear their black third jerseys, along with orange helmets, for their final two regular-season home games. The helmets will feature a stylized paw logo emblazoned with the name "Bob" in honour of former president Bob Ackles, who died in July. The Lions will face Edmonton at B.C. Place on Friday night then conclude their regular-season home schedule against Toronto on oct. 25. At season's end, the Lions will auction off the helmets with net proceeds to benefit the BC Football Hall of Fame, a project Ackles began prior to his death.