ERIC HOLMES
Argonauts.ca Staff
WR Reggie McNeal explains that he is excited to be back and eager to put last season behind him. Click here to watch video.
If Steven Turner’s achilles is as strong as his will to return, the ‘Afterburner’ may well take flight again, but not likely until this time next year. Click here to read more.
Stay linked to argonauts.ca/training camp for the month of June for exclusive content including photos, recaps, diaries and videos.
Buses arrived at UTM at 7:15 a.m. to pick up all of the players and staff and shuttle them off-site to Huron Park. Despite the early morning, the mood at practice was fiery as a minor skirmish broke out among all teammates early on. Although #78 DT Adriano Belli didn’t actually start the brawl, he jumped right in and half-jokingly threw down the gauntlet with the notoriously tough left tackle #56 Rob Murphy. When asked later in the day why he chose to latch onto Murphy’s helmet, who was the biggest man nearby, Belli simply grinned and replied, “Why wouldn’t I?”
WR Reggie McNeal made his 2010 debut as an Argonaut. The speedy former quarterback who wore #12 in 2008 and 2009 with the Double Blue, slipped on a #5 jersey and looked right at home. He caught a touchdown pass from new #12, Dalton Bell, and seemed to already have good knowledge of the playbook.
Former ‘Rider DB #15 Denatay Heard, with heavily taped fingers, had several interceptions today. The first of which was a crisp read from the corner position that he caught cleanly and raced to the ‘house’. WR #81 Carl Berman, who was teammates with Heard in Saskatchewan, caught several nice passes and turned them up field.
Veteran CB #28 Byron Parker had an interception today as did #27 Sammy Joseph – both narrowly missed picks the day before.
The bulk of second practice was spent on special teams and led by new coordinator Mike O’Shea. Players worked on kick returns and coverage. At the end of the practice, O’Shea had the entire field goal unit practice blocking and staying onside.
CFL legend and former Argo Damon Allen and his young son Airus attended practice and watched from the sidelines. Airus is just three-years old but is already showing a strong throwing arm and great moves.
The team is back on the field at Huron Park for first practice at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Second practice won’t be until 4:00 p.m., also at Huron Park.