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ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – The annual CFL Evaluation Camp wrapped up Sunday after a weekend’s worth of interviews, testing, drills and one-on-ones for the 59 young invitees.
For rookie head coach Scott Milanovich, not only did he have his eyes on the potential CFL talent of tomorrow, he was also using the weekend combine as a sneak peek into how he and his staff will operate this season.
The E-Camp marked the first time that Milanovich and his staff of 8 coaches had been together on a football field. Although it can’t be used as a true measure for how things will shape up once training camp hits, he relishes the opportunity to shake off the rust and capitalize on the unique advantage of having the combine in Toronto.
“It is great for us,” Milanovich said. “It’s the first time that we have all been together at the same time, and we get to put a practice plan together and watch them execute it. Some of them I haven’t watched coach before [and not] in front of so many people which puts a little bit of pressure on them. It was a good atmosphere for them and I thought they did a nice job.”
After being hired in early December, Milanovich has put together a staff that includes a solid mix of veteran and up-and-coming coaches featuring returnees Mike O’Shea, Orlondo Steinauer and Steve McAdoo, former Calgary Stampeders defensive coordinator Chris Jones and former Eskimos pivot Jason Maas.
The most recent acquisitions to the staff came last week when former CFL’er Kez McCorvey was added as receivers coach and Cory Stone came onboard to guide the defensive line.
Argos General Manager Jim Barker has seen the transition of the coaching staff from the one he put in place in 2010 and says that the E-Camp is a great opportunity for Milanovich to begin building chemistry with his staff.
“I think it is very important for them,” Barker said. “This wasn’t a regular practice or anything but they can at least move together on the field and they can get an idea of how each other are going to be verbally. For example, the o-line coach and the d-line coach – McAdoo gets to work with Stone for the first time, and (McCorvey) works with (Steinauer). So all of them working with Scott is important. Getting a feel for how practice schedules work and understanding how individuals work is crucial so this was a great first step for them. “
With the annual prospect showcase now complete, the Argos coaches will turn their attention to the CFL Canadian Draft which will take place on Thursday, May 3rd while they continue to hold free agent camps throughout the United States.