ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
Mississauga – The Toronto Argonauts kicked off the 2010 CFL Canadian Draft with a bang by announcing two big trades with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the B.C. Lions. When the dust settled, the Double Blue took imposing OT Joe Eppele with the second overall pick followed by highly-regarded linebacker Cory Greenwood, third overall, and added CFL veteran P/K Jamie Boreham to the roster. In total, the Argonauts took four offensive lineman, two linebackers, two receivers and a defensive back.
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Commented Toronto Argonauts Head Coach, Jim Barker, on his club’s 2010 draft day, “Overall, we are ecstatic with the picks we were able to select. We feel that we have improved our team’s athleticism and speed. We were also able to draft a few futures to fill our pipeline in the years to come.”
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Jim Barker praised Grant Shaw as a dual threat, “In Shaw, we get a player who has an explosive leg as a kicker in addition to being a tremendous special teams player. We expect to watch him grow into a regular contributor at safety or linebacker. We believe we’ve found a very good player who is both versatile and talented.”
Grant Shaw commented from his parents’ house in Edmonton, AB, where he watched the draft, “I’m speechless. This has been a life-long dream to have an opportunity to be a professional athlete. This is a culmination of years and years of hard work. I’d like to thank my family as they are my number one fans – I wouldn’t be here without them – as well as the Toronto Argonauts organization.”
Barker discussed drafting athletic receiver Spencer Watt, “Spencer is very fast; he ran a 4.38 for us and if he wasn’t injured in his senior year, he would have gone in the first two rounds. It was great to be able to get him in the third round.”
Spencer Watt was thrilled to hear his name called, “I’d like to thank my family, friends, SFU teammates & coaching staff, and most of all the Toronto Argonauts for believing in me and making this possible. The reality that I might have a chance to play at the next level didn’t sink in until one of my coaches at SFU pulled me aside and told me this past season. I’m thrilled to be selected in the draft and I’m at a loss for words to describe how great this feeling is. I’m going to work hard at training camp and do my best to help the team.”
Barker talked about the 26th overall pick, Joel Reinders, “We believe that if he wasn’t signed in the NFL, he may have gone first overall. While he may have an NFL future ahead of him, we felt he was a local guy who was too good to pass up with this pick.”
Barker talked about the Argos’ next pick Steven Turner who grew up in Brampton, Ontario, “Steven is arguably the most athletic player in the draft. We were excited that a guy with a 43.5” vertical jump and who ran a 4.35 second 40-yard dash at the CFL Evaluation Camp was still on the board that late in the draft. He could be a returner as well as a hybrid running back and receiver.”
Coach Barker discussed the third offensive lineman the Argonauts selected in the 2010 CFL Canadian Draft, “Mike Warner is an interior Guard who could also be a Centre. He plays with great leverage and is very, very smart. We believe he can come in and compete right now.”
Mike Warner watched the draft with friends in his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, “Getting to this point has been a lot of hard work and I’m ecstatic to be here. It seemed like forever before my name finally popped up on the draft board and I was so happy when it finally happened. I’ve received so much support from my friends, family and coaching staff, I can’t thank them enough.”
Barker commented on promising OL Nassar Jamal who was taken with the 40th overall selection, “Despite his injury issues, his size and athletic ability make him a great future candidate to fill our pipeline as he finishes his career at Louisiana-Lafayette.”
Barker wrapped up the Argos’ day by choosing LB/LS Conor Elliott with the 44th overall choice, “Our staff graded Conor as the top long snapper in the draft. He was also an All-Conference linebacker making him a great pick for us.”
Conor Elliott was born and raised in London, Ontario where he was an Argos fan, “This is the greatest feeling in the world. Everyone dreams about being drafted and playing football as a professional. Family is very important to me and being close to home is such a bonus. I was an Argos fan growing up and I am excited to say that I lived to tell about the many Labour Day Classics I watched with my dad at Ivor Wynne.”