Micah Johnson has seen pretty much everything during an accomplished CFL career that dates back to 2013.
But, every now and then, there is something new.
Take Wednesday, for example, when artificial crowd noise was piped through Mosaic Stadium’s public-address system — for the benefit of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defence.
“This is the first one,” Johnson said leading up to Sunday’s sold-out Labour Day Classic against the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
“I think everybody is expecting this place to be electric. We’re looking forward to it. I’d rather (the crowd noise) be something the (Winnipeg) offence has to deal with, too, so I’m cool with it.”
Conventionally, the noise is cranked up during practice in advance of a road game so the offence can work on a silent count or other ways of dealing with a hostile environment.
However, the decibel level was elevated on Wednesday in anticipation of Sunday’s boisterous gallery making it difficult for Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros to call signals.
“There is a lot of communication that needs to happen on the defensive side of the ball,” Head Coach Corey Mace said. “We’re anticipating Rider Nation to be out here going crazy when the opposing offence is on the field.
“There are the signals going into the defence, and that’s fine, but there are adjustments based off what the offence is presenting to us. We have to communicate to get our job done.
“Can you mimic it? That’s the best way we know how, so hopefully it pays off.”
MICAH’S FIRST: PART 2
Johnson leads the league in sacks, with six.
“That’s always fun, man,” the 11th-year CFLer said with a smile. “We’ve got a great group of guys this year and a coaching staff that believes in me.
“Coach Mace has given me a lot of opportunities inside. That’s all you can really ask for as a D-lineman — opportunities — and I’ve been able to capitalize.”
Typically, the sack standings are dominated by defensive ends. Johnson, a five-time divisional All-Star tackle, is a notable exception.
“I think it’s kind of swinging my way a little bit right now,” he said. “I feel like inside, you have a little less control, but you’ve just got to stay down.
“There have been times when I felt like I had a great season, but the sack numbers didn’t reflect that and people would kind of try to wash away that season because of the sack numbers.
“For me, it is what it is. It’s a stat that I feel like is more for the fans.”
Johnson’s unofficial fan club includes Mace, whose fine son is named Micah for obvious reasons.
Mace and Johnson lined up alongside one another as defensive tackles with the Calgary Stampeders. Their association has carried over into Mace’s coaching career, with the Stampeders and Roughriders.
Mace was Calgary’s defensive line coach during each of the three seasons (2016, 2017 and 2018) Johnson was named a CFL All-Star.
As one who leads the league in sacks beyond the midpoint of the regular season, he could very well make the dream team once again.
“He’s at six sacks right now,” Mace said. “That’s a good year for a defensive tackle.
“I’ve been around Micah. I was there when he had 14 at the same position (in 2018). He holds himself to a high standard.
“Even then, throughout practice, I’m pushing him to continue to work at his craft and be a disruptive player for us.
“I’m happy with how he has been playing to this point. There’s a lot of games left. Can you maintain or can you elevate?”
RIDERS ARE IN FIRST
Saskatchewan leads the West Division, albeit with a record (5-5-1) that does not leave the players or coaches clicking their heels.
“We’re not happy where we are, but we’re blessed to be here,” running back Frankie Hickson said.
“Ultimately, you can’t complain with the position that we’re currently in. It’s just a matter of going back to work, working a little bit harder, working a little bit smarter, and getting a little stronger.”
