Next Game
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ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – As we officially enter the 2010/2011 off-season, argonauts.ca breaks down each position, as they stand now and where they may be heading into next year. In the final installment, we take a look at the Argos special teams.
Not much more can be said about the job that Mike O’Shea did in his rookie year as a CFL coordinator. The Argos special teams was the envy of league for most of the 2010 season kick return dynamo Chad Owens became one of the most feared players for opponents every time he touched the ball.
Owens tore apart the CFL, leading the league by a landslide with 3,288 combined yards and five kick return touchdowns. A dual threat with unmatched speed, Owens in one season has already put his name in the Argos record books alongside names such as Clemons, Cunningham, Levingston and Dorsey. Looking Forward: In addition to Owens, a healthy Ryan Christian could be the secondary returner that the Argos require. A player of Christian’s skillset is something that shouldn’t be underestimated especially if opposing kickers try and boot the ball away from the reigning Most Outstanding Special Teams Player next season.
P/K Noel Prefontaine was re-acquired via trade late in the season and statistically had one of his better years if you combine his time in both Toronto and Edmonton. A multi-talented non-import was just too good for the Argos brass to turn down when he became available and is about as good a mentor as one could have for the potential Argos kicker of the future in Grant Shaw. Looking Forward: With capable kickers on the roster, one of whom is still evolving as a pro, the Boatmen have to figure out how involved they want Shaw to be next season. His responsibilities increased at the end of 2010, handling the majority of the kickoffs in the playoffs and seeing spot duty at punter but whether he reverts back to his natural position of defensive back remains to be seen.