ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
Head Coach Bart Andrus and his staff have officially ‘shaken things up’ in the Argos’ offence. In a story that has taken shape throughout the week since the Argos loss to the Montreal Alouettes last week, QB Cody Pickett has officially been named the team’s starting quarterback when the Double Blue take on the B.C. Lions at Rogers Centre on Friday night.
“Both of them (Pickett and Kerry Joseph) split reps throughout the week and we looked at that tape and noticed that a change would be necessary”, said Andrus.
Pickett started two games for the Argos last season, both against the eventual Grey Cup champion Calgary Stampeders. Despite dropping both games, Pickett put up respectable numbers, completing 76 passes for 424 yards in the two games. However, he did not register his first major until he faced the Lions later in the season in a relief effort.
The two losses do not seem to be playing too big a role in the pivot’s psyche as he feels that last year helped him mature into the quarterback that he has become today.
“Last year was good for me to get some Canadian experience and just having a full year here under my belt makes me feel comfortable, and I feel confident”, said Pickett.
He makes good decisions and when he’s back there he knows where he wants to get the ball to. We just got to be there to complement him, make catches and make plays 
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– WR Reggie McNeal about QB Cody Pickett
Teammate WR Reggie McNeal, who is one of the few Argos that played alongside Pickett last year, has seen the quarterback’s progression and feels that the onus is just as much on the receivers as it is on the man throwing the ball.
“He makes good decisions and when he’s back there he knows where he wants to get the ball to. We’ve just got to be there to complement him, make catches and make plays”, remarked McNeal.
McNeal and the rest of the Argos offence more than struggled last week and, as a result, Andrus and his staff raised the intensity level in practice leading into Friday’s matchup.
“We went with full pads this week for the first time since training camp”, remarked Andrus. “We felt like we needed to re-visit some of the techniques and fundamentals that way”.
The only roster move from last week will see rookie CB Matt Black move to the injured list with a sore shin. Returning WR P.K. Sam will be added to the 45-man active roster but will not suit up.
“(Sam) is going to be inactive this week”, confirmed Andrus. “Health wise, he is not at 100 per cent yet and he needs a little more time to learn some of the details (in the Argos system). I would look for him to play in the game after the bye week”.ss
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Rogers Centre on Friday night and can be seen on TSN/TSN HD or heard on the FAN 590 or Sirius Satellite Radio. For tickets, please call 416-872-5000 or CLICK HERE to purchase online.