The Toronto Argonauts wrapped up their 2016 Rookies and QBs camp on Friday, capping off Day Three at Alumni Stadium with a slightly shorter practice than the previous two.
First year players got their last chance to get up to speed with the team’s systems prior to the arrival of the veterans for Day One of training camp on Sunday, May 29.
“It was good to see a lot of the Americans that we’ve been tracking for a year or two,” said Argos Director of Player Personnel Curtis Rukavina.
After three days of practice, the Argos staff have a better idea of the talent that they’re working with and the rookies’ fit within the team’s overall composition.
“We got to see them come up and confirm the reports that we had on them, watch them fit in and see how their style of play translates,” continued Rukavina.
Head coach Milanovich was more impressed with the team’s pace of play on Friday, and acknowledged that the rookies were beginning to gain a better understanding of the team’s concepts and making fewer mistakes.
“That’s what this rookie camp is all about,” started quarterback Ricky Ray, “to get the young guys ready for what kind of tempo is going to be expected from the head coach.”
By the end of Day Three the players in attendance have a good idea of the tempo that is expected from them on the practice field, and when the veterans arrive this weekend Milanovich expects them to remember as well.
“Hopefully our veterans remember how we like to practice,” said Milanovich, “and hopefully they’ll show these young guys how it’s done.”
| WATCH: Scott Milanovich previews Sunday’s full Training Camp |
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When the Argonauts crop of veterans hit the turf for the first time in 2016, the Argos head coach is expecting things to get competitive quickly as each player fights for a spot on the team’s roster.
“There’s a fine line with rookies and veterans,” explained Milanovich. “The veterans need to be respected, they’ve earned that right. At the same time, we need the rookies to push us and we need a couple of these guys to make the team, make us better and take somebody’s spot.”
The Argonauts full team will take to the field at Alumni Stadium at the University of Guelph for Day 1 of Training Camp on Sunday, May 29 at 7:30 a.m.