Argonauts.ca Staff
TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts close out the pre-season on Thursday against their divisional foes in Montreal, as the 70+ players remaining in camp get their last chance to prove themselves before final cuts on Saturday.
Rookie running back Henry Josey has impressed many with his performances throughout training camp and in the first pre-season matchup, but admits he still has room to learn and improve before the regular season begins on June 27.
“The preparation we’ve gone through [in camp] has been very helpful for me especially getting used to the Canadian game,” said Josey. “I always feel like I can get better, so I don’t feel like I’m at my best right now. I’m definitely improving and I’m playing faster now as I’ve learned more of the offence.”
Josey, a former star at the University of Missouri, sees Thursday’s matchup as another opportunity to learn and become more acclimated with not only the Canadian game, but with his teammates as well.
“You always need to be improving,” he continued. “The main thing for me is getting on top of communication with the offensive line and making sure we’re on the same page. As a running back you’ve got to be able to protect the quarterback in addition to making plays.”
A vital resource for Josey’s transition to the Canadian game is third-year running back Curtis Steele, who was the likely starter until an injury in practice put his immediate status in jeopardy.
“He’s been extremely helpful and he’s a guy I turn to when I have questions” said Josey of Steele. “Having played down south and now playing in his third year in Canada, he’s been a great leader and teacher for me.”
Though the roster and hierarchy is by no means set, Josey could see an uptick in playing time if Steele is forced to miss any time in the regular season.
“You never want to see a teammate go down,” said Josey, “but at the end of the day you need to be able to step up and play for him. You want to be able to show him that just because he went down, we can carry him. As a group we want to keep the presence he carries going and keep the offence going like it was when he was playing.”
On the other side of the ball, Thursday’s matchup against Montreal will be the first game action of 2015 for CFL veteran Brandon Isaac, who returns to the Argonauts after departing in 2013. Isaac last played with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2013, and a strong camp in Toronto has him excited to hit the field in Double Blue once again.
“I think [camp] went great,” said Isaac. “I came in and adjusted to the schemes, the defence is making plays and flying around even though we’re all still learning.”
Isaac was held out of Toronto’s first pre-season game, presumably to give coaches the opportunity to evaluate other defensive players, and with three weeks of practice now under his belt he’s chomping at the bit to get into a live-game scenario.
“Thursday will be my first opportunity to get out there and play against a different coloured jersey, so I’m very excited and I’m going to give it my all,” said Isaac. “I’m thankful and honoured to have this opportunity, and I just want to go out there and compete.”
Now in his sixth CFL season, Isaac is one of the most tenured players on a young Argos’ defence, and he knows that his role will not only be to make plays, but to act as a mentor to his teammates.
“I think I’m a natural born leader, guys follow me by default,” he said. “I want to show these young guys how it’s done, not only on the game field, but in practice, in meetings, and how to do all the small things. I want to show the guys what’s important about being a CFL player and how to give it their all.”
The game kicks-off at 7:30 P.M. on Thursday, June 18, and will be broadcast on TSN2 and TSN Radio 1050.