Next Game
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ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
MISSISSAUGA — The Argonauts signed another import running back this morning to replace the recently departed DeCori Birmingham. William Ford, out of South Carolina State, was on the field at 8:00 a.m. with the rest of his new teammates and made an immediate impression.
The American-born Ford, who has never played the Canadian game, lined up at kick returner and made a uniquely Canadian play. K/P Robbie Dehaze punched the ball short and towards the sideline and Ford charged fast. He arrived at the same time as the cover team and instead of trying coral the erratically bouncing pigskin, he swiped at it with his right hand and knocked it out of bounds. “How did you know how to do that William?!”repeated Head Coach Jim Barker as the fans in attendance applauded the shifty back’s quick thinking. Ford didn’t reply and jogged casually back to the 10 yard line. Argos’ new Director, Player Personnel, Mike Hagen jokingly took credit for the play and quipped, “It was a long drive in from Buffalo (Hagen had picked up Ford at the airport in Buffalo the night before), we talked about a lot of things!”
Former Argonauts quarterback and CFL Hall of Fame player Matt Dunigan attended practice as a spectator. He was no doubt taking notes and preparing for the CFL on TSN broadcast. Also, Raptors PA announcer Herbie Kuhn watched practice from the sidelines.
Former Argos offensive lineman John Malinosky, who played 77 regular season games for Toronto and was a member of the 1983 championship team, attended practice. Malinosky said he’d be in attendance at Sunday’s pre-season game.
The Argonauts also announced today that 2010 draft pick LS Conor Elliott (Western Ontario) has retired and the LS Anthony Lukca (McGill) has signed on.
The team is back on the field Friday morning at Huron Park from 8:00 a.m. until approximately 11:45 a.m. As always, practices are open to the public.