ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
MISSISSAUGA – It may only be rookie camp but the 2011 Argos season is officially underway. Argos’ rookies, along with a few veterans and five quarterbacks, hit the upper field at the club’s training facility for the first of three pre-training camp workouts.
Like last year, the focus was put squarely on the players donning red jerseys behind centre, specifically last year’s starter Cleo Lemon, sophomore Argo Dalton Bell and newly acquired Steven Jyles.
Lemon looked strong on day one. After practice both he and GM & head coach Jim Barker confirmed that the pinky that hindered him last season is not only fully recovered but stronger than it was prior to the injury.
Reassurances with injuries, however, was a luxury that could only be afforded to Lemon as Jyles spent the majority of practice as a spectator. After throwing in a few short drills, he was pulled for the remainder of the workout with what Barker referred to as “tenderness” in his shoulder. Barker stated that keeping him out of drills was strictly precautionary and that he does not foresee Jyles being out very long. Jyles said he hopes to be taking regular reps by the conclusion of rookie camp.
The newest quarterback to the mix, B.J. Hall, worked his way in nicely. In just his first workout, he struggled at times hitting receivers on timing routes down the sidelines but showed a strong ability to fire passes over the middle with accuracy and his mobility was evident on the few instances where he had to tuck the ball in and run out of the pocket.
The receivers learned very quickly about the importance of hanging on to the ball as well as the pace in which Barker and his staff want to run practice. It didn’t take long for Barker and receivers coach Cos DeMatteo to vocalize their displeasure on certain occasions when routes were not run properly and when focus was being compromised.
One receiver that did make himself noticed was #86 Jason Harmon. A big target with good hands, Harmon snagged most of what was thrown his way. The backfield featured Tennessee-product Gerald Riggs whose reliable hands and quick feet earned praise from fellow teammates.
Defensively, it was the defensive backs that stood out from the crowd with last year’s playoff starter Sean Smalls aggressively breaking up plays and Dee Webb keeping pace with outside receivers. North Carolina grad Durrell Mapp improved his profile by running to the ball and even picking off a pass which was deflected off of a running back’s helmet.
Argos rookies & QBs will be back on the field again at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon at University of Toronto Mississauga (Upper Field).
Notes: Rookie arrivals didn’t stop some Argos veterans from making an appearance. Andre Durie, Brandon Rideau, Cory Boyd, Kevin Huntley, Chad Owens, Matt Black, Mike Bradwell, Ejiro Kuale and Jeremaine Copeland were all on hand with many helping out the coaches in drills.