Argonauts.ca staff
Wednesday marked the unofficial start of the 2015 CFL season, as rookies and quarterbacks across the league took the field for the first time this year. The Argos were no exception, as they congregated at York University Stadium for the first of three rookie camp practices.
Argonauts starting quarterback Ricky Ray was present, but not throwing, and so fourth-year quarterback Trevor Harris took the bulk of first team reps, with quarterbacks Mitchell Gale and Logan Kilgore taking turns as well.
The practice began with position-specific drills before breaking for stretches, and moving to individual match-ups and team simulations. There were growing pains to be had for the many international rookies getting their first look at a CFL field, but overall, head coach Scott Milanovich seemed pleased with the Argos’ crop of first year players.
A battle which will be of particular interest in 2015 training camp is at the receiver position, as a significant number of CFL rookies look to earn one of several openings in Toronto’s receiving corps. Stepping up in the first rookie session were international free agent signings Kevin Elliott and Vidal Hazelton, who looked sure-handed through much of practice and routinely found open field behind their defenders.
On the other side of the ball, international DB Travis Hawkins stuck to his targets like glue, making a couple impressive pass breakups and even grabbing himself an interception, much to the excitement of new Argos DB coach Jordan Younger. Fellow defensive backs Akwasi Owusu-Ansah and A.J. Jefferson also looked strong in their first sessions in Toronto.
With the first practice now in the books, team meetings and film study will make up much of the evening before the players return to the field to do it all again tomorrow. The training camp grind has officially begun.