Mississauga – The Toronto Argonauts made Laval University DL Étienne Légaré the second overall pick in today’s draft and immediately signed him to a contract through 2011. The Boatmen continued their strong draft by taking six more players, three each on both offence and defence.
Assistant GM/Director, Player Personnel Greg Mohns commented on the Argos draft day, “We were very pleased with the way the draft unfolded as we were able to select several of our top-rated players at their respective positions as well as addressing areas of need to add to our roster depth.”
WR Matt Lambros, DB Anthony Deslauriers and RB Brad Crawford all have Argo or CFL connections in their families. Lambros’ father, Mike, played for the Eskimos in the 1970s, Deslauriers’ father, Laurents, is a former Argonaut who was also a CFL All-Star, and Brad Crawford is the younger brother of current Argonauts’ RB Bryan Crawford.
The tall and speedy Matt Lambros commented on being taken high in the draft, “My dad was watching the draft and texted me when the Argos chose me. I’m a bit in shock – the last couple weeks it seemed like this day would never come and to finally be drafted and go 10th overall is amazing. I grew up watching the CFL and idolized Allen Pitts, Milt Stegall and Mike Morreale and now to play in the same league where they played is so exciting. I’m graduating next week and am focused on getting ready for camp.”
A 2008 Canada West All-Star, James Green remarked, “This is a big day. I have been at the gym constantly preparing for this moment. It’s an honour and I can’t wait to get on the field and show what I’ve got. I model my game around guys like Rob Hitchcock and players that walk the line between DBs and LBs. I hope to impress the coaches at camp.”
Enthused OT Zach Pollari who was born in Billings, Montana but attended high school in Guelph, Ontario, “I’m super excited – I wasn’t expected to go this high in the draft. I am especially looking forward to working with Offensive Line Coach Ron Heller because I got to know him at Evaluation Camp as well as the rest of the new coaching staff. I know some of the other guys from Western who are on the team. Every kid that grows up playing football has the ultimate goal of playing professional and now I get to live my dream.”
Commented OG Gordon Sawler who anchored an offensive line at St. FX that averaged almost 170 yards/game last season, “I’ve been watching the draft on TSN and CFL.ca with my family, and I saw my name pop up and we all went crazy. I am so excited to come to Toronto. I have some family there and I will reconnect with them. It is all about playing the game of football and I’m looking forward to doing that at camp. I grew up watching the CFL and always dreamed of playing in it and now I get my chance.”
DB Anthony Deslauriers started each of his last two CIS seasons, “I found out I was drafted by my teammate Ray Wladichuk who was drafted today as well. I was elated because my dad played for the Argos so it is even more exciting. He said he is really proud of me and congratulated me. He was really happy I went to a team he played for. I am training at full speed now to get ready for camp.”
Current Argos RB Bryan Crawford welcomed his brother Brad to the Argos, “I am absolutely ecstatic that I get to suit up this year with my brother Brad in camp. I think he’s going to prove to be a very productive pick for the team. My family is thrilled with this and overjoyed to potentially see their sons play beside each other.”
Argos scouts got a good look at Brad Crawford at 2008 CFL Evaluation Camp in March, “First of all, just getting drafted into the CFL is such an honour. It is even more special getting drafted to the Argos where my brother already plays. Bryan is five years older than me so we’ve never been able to play together and it’s an amazing opportunity to be able to be on the field together. I started playing football a decade ago and it is a dream come true to play in the CFL. The whole family is ecstatic; my parents are very emotional and excited.”