ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – With the final preseason game just over 48 hours away, the Argonauts took the field for what would be their last training camp practice of 2013. In just a few days, the final cuts will come down and the remaining players will make up the roster that will take the field to defend the Grey Cup.
The Double Blue defence looked in fine form on Tuesday as they worked through individual drills and the skelly portion of practice. Coming together as a unit, the defence was notably louder than at the beginning of camp with leaders like Matt Black and Brandon Isaac taking a vocal role pre-snap. In addition, newcomers Antareis Bryan and Brent Vinson are showing they fit in with the culture in Toronto as they too got involved in making sure all defensive players were in the right position before the snap.
On the defensive line, Khalif Mitchell continued to impress in camp with not only his play on the field but the attitude and camaraderie he has shown with the defensive line as a group. Following every practice, the line breaks apart from the group and does extra strength and flexibility work. Consistently, Mitchell is the most vocal member of the group, pushing his teammates and leading the drills by example.
In the red jerseys, the quarterbacks group is making it mighty difficult on the coaching staff to determine who will have the opportunity to line up behind Ricky Ray on June 28. All of the pivots have had very good camps, with the preseason game against Winnipeg evidence of that with all of them throwing for over 50 yards with minimal reps.
From the playmakers, the returning offence from 2012 continued their strong camp. Lead by Ray under centre, the offence looks in full sync in preperation for the home opener on June 28. All of the receivers that started the 100th Grey Cup have come into training camp and shown that they are not willing to relinquish the positions they finished 2012 with.
Finally, the reigning MOP, Chad Owens has been a pleasure to watch all of camp as he brings game day level emotion and effort to every play of every practice. One can hear the players and coaches stress the importance of winning every practice, every walkthrough, every meeting, every play and The Flyin’ Hawaiian exemplify this mantra daily.
Thanks for the daily check-in’s Argos Nation, June 28th is nearly upon us!