Argonauts.ca Staff
TORONTO – Argonauts head coach Scott Milanovich and a number of players had some interesting things to day during the first three days of training camp. Here are some of the best quotes through three days:
Argonauts HC Scott Milanovich:
On Canadian defensive end Ricky Foley’s return to the Argonauts:
“It feels good to have him back. Ricky has so much energy and so much love for the game, it’s infectious with our defence and really our whole team.”
“The thing I’ve always been impressed about with Ricky isn’t his number but his ability to move sideline to sideline right through the whistle. He never stops playing.”
Milanovich’s early expectations for the 2015 Argonauts:
“We’re looking for effort and guys who can get lined up and play fast, that’s the first step for us. We want competitive players who are buying into our system, X’s and O’s wise, but that also are buying into the culture that we’re trying to establish in the locker room.”
Thoughts on having Toronto native Andre Durie back and what he brings to the offence:
“He’s a great leader for us. The versatility that he continues to bring from the backfield, as a receiver, running deep and short routes, and his ability to block. All of those things really makes it difficult for a defence to get a grasp on what we’re trying to do. He’s an extra running back and a receiver so we get two personnel groups in one player which can be difficult to match up with.”
On music at practice:
“Were just finding different ways to create some excitement over a six month period. There have been a lot of studies and our players being on the road to start the season need to be able to embrace a hostile environment.”
Milanovich talks RB Anthony Coombs:
“Were going to find a way to get him on the field. Right now we have him working Duries spot just because it’s the most difficult to learn. He’s just too good of a football player.”
“He looked pretty good in week 2 with 100 yard in only his second game last year. We felt two years ago that he was by far the best player in the draft.”
Team’s plan for the ratio:
“I would like to play eight. I don’t think we need to go nine but the injuries take care of that for you. I prefer to go heavy then you don’t need to make mass changes if you get an injury or two.”
On DB Matt Black’s ability:
“Matt gives us so much flexibility if we get in a ratio issue. We know we can have him start at corner and back up at safety or even start at safety if something happens to Jermain Gabriel.”
Argos SB Andre Durie:
Durie talks health heading into 2015:
“It feels great to get back out there. My legs feel great, my wind, and my strength felt good. I;m just looking forward to continuing to stay healthy for the rest of the season.”
What’s going to get this team on right track:
“I think commardory. We have to have everyone on the same page, looking towards the goals. Eventhough our Xs and Os weren’t good today, we have to continue to focus on the goal and get better.”
On new pass interfence rule – contact within first five yards:
“Its just like football when we were going up. It migh help us after 5-yards but they cant contact us, we can’t contact them. So it’s kind of 50-50
Durie happy to have longtime friend Ricky Foley back in Double Blue:
“Its good to have a guy back that you’ve played football with for so many years your know. We keep eachother motivated, we keep eachother focused.”
On how mentally tough last year was:
“It was mentally tough. It’s something that as a football player you wish you could turn off the injury but you can’t. That’s part of the game unfortunately and it was rough mentally to sit on the sidelines and not be able to gout there with the team.”
RB Anthony Coombs:
On how his second training camp has been different:
“We’ll I know the plays and playbook. That helps me because I don’t have to think so much out there. Being able to go out there an run full speed because you don’t have to think so much.”
“You have more of team commodary with the guys knowing them for a year and youre just more comforatable.”
On comfort level with the offence:
“That’s a work in progress. Right now I’m looking to get the R position down pat but the other positions with come along further down the season.”
On being a natural RB but now a receiver:
“I’m really comfortable at receiver. I’m comforatable at running back, ive been playing that for 12 years. I really forced this offseason on my route running and its shown.”
Coombs anxious for 2015 season to start:
“I’m anxious to get back out there. Its been almost year since I’ve been playing but it seems like it’s been 10.”