Next Game
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Although different in size and skill-set, the Argos offensive line and secondary actually have one large element in common – both will look drastically different from last season when training camp begins on Saturday.
The Argos secondary just may be the most competitive area on the football field this training camp. With holes to fill at various positions due to departing personnel both during and after the 2008 campaign.
At The Corner
There are no shortage of cornerbacks being looked at by head coach Bart Andrus and his staff. As it stands right now, the two starting corner spots look to be in the hands of second-year Argo Willie Middlebrooks and veteran Jordan Younger. After a stellar four years with the Boatmen, Younger returns to where his CFL career started after spending a season with the Edmonton Eskimos. Younger’s experience and leadership in what is projected to be a very young secondary may prove to be invaluable, especially when considering the departure of All-Star Byron Parker.
Versatility
The advantage to being a cornerback, defensive back or safety is that many players often have the chance to prove to coaches that they can excel at numerous positions. It is almost certain that those slated on the Argos roster at CB will see time at DB or S.
The defensive back and safety positions, patrolled last season primarily by Kenny Heatly, Pete Hunter, Will Poole and Jason Shivers, will be highly competitive this camp, especially with a youth movement taking over roster spots formerly held by veterans Orlondo Steinauer and Kenny Wheaton.
Along with the four aforementioned players, others who were brought in to help add both competition and depth to the three secondary positions are Canadian draft picks Matt Black and Delroy Clark, as well as imports Hank Edwards, Alphonso Hodge, Samuel Joseph, Cory Peoples, Lin-J Shell and Demetrious Webb.
Despite veteran leadership in Younger and Middlebrooks, early indications are that Defensive Coordinator Pete Kuharchek and Secondary Coach Richard Kent will have their hands full with trying to sort out who will fill the gaps on defence before the season begins on July 1 in Hamilton. One thing is for sure, however, there is no shortage of bodies in training camp to help sort those concerns out.