Toronto Argonauts: Healthy Ricky Ray and Andre Durie Key to Success
With the Toronto Argonauts ready to play in their new home at BMO Field they will look to familiar faces in Ricky Ray and Andre Durie to lead the way after overcoming tough injuries
The Toronto Argonauts officially kicked off a new era, as they opened training camp this week at Alumni Stadium in Guelph Ontario. Bell Canada and Larry Tanenbaum, the chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment purchased the Argos last season from David Braley.
The deal also meant the Argos would move out of Rogers Centre to BMO Field in time for this season. With the franchise struggling to attract fans, this move will hopefully bring a much needed change in atmosphere for the CFL and Argos fans.
Leading this new regime is a familiar face, in starting quarterback and longtime CFL veteran Ricky Ray, who led the team to a Grey Cup win back in 2012. The quarterback missed the majority of last season recovering from surgery to his labrum and rotator cuff in his right shoulder.
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The Argos still made it to the postseason with Trevor Harris taking over behind centre. When Ray returned for the playoffs, Toronto were unable to make it past the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the divisional round.
After losing veteran Chad Owens to their divisional rivals in the offseason, the Argos will need a healthy Andre Durie to step up. The 34-year old slotback injured his knee in Week 2 last season, leaving many wondering whether he would ever play another snap.
Durie was back in the fold at training camp with a knee brace on and told reporters he is not going to rush himself back: “I’m going to ease my way back. I’ve got to really ease it back and get football right back in my belt. That’s the plan.”
With new defensive co-ordinator Rich Stubler and the addition of Keon Raymond on the defensive side. the Argos should be back in contention this season. What it will come down is Ray returning to form and the Argos defence making plays, something they struggled with at times last year.
Ray passed for 4,595 yards and a career-high 28 touchdowns in 2014 before the injury. Speaking with the Toronto Star, offensive co-ordinator Marcus Brady is glad to have the veteran QB back.
Brady said: “(The offence) is running a little bit smoother now. There was more teaching involved last year. We’re just trying to sharpen everything up in our offence now.”
The team made it a point to address the offensive line with rookie Corey Watman, and free agent Josh Bourke added to an established group of Tyler Holmes, Greg Van Roten and Chris Van Zeyl. Brandon Whitaker is expected to receive the bulk of the snaps in the backfield with Grey Cup MVP Chad Kackert behind him.
At receiver, the team will have healthy competition with Durie and Diontae Spencer expected to lead the way. Kevin Elliott, Vidal Hazelton, Tori Gurley, Phil Bates, Kenny Shaw, Devon Wylie, Da’Rick Rogers and Deontay Greenberry will compete for the five open jobs in camp.
This Argos roster has the potential to be a top team in the East, but it will not be easy going up against former teammate Zach Collaros in Hamilton. Collaros was a nightmare to defensive players before an injury ended his season last year for the Tiger-Cats.
A balanced attack and Ray returning to his former self could be all the Argos need in the East. So far in the early stages of training camp he looks to be back to his old self, while also trying to rely less on the strength from his arms and more on his core muscles:
"Ray says rehabbing his right shoulder taught him the importance of warming up his core — the midsection muscles that form the foundation of most athletic movements — and engaging them when he throws. Attention to that detail allows him to throw as hard as he did pre-surgery without stressing his shoulder.-Morgan Campbell/Toronto Star Reporter"
Next: Scott Milanovich and coaches ready for new season
With tailgating allowed at BMO Field before games, Argos fans should be excited about the investment made by ownership to enhance the experience and provide a big reboot for the CFL in Toronto. However, the excitement will only be retained by a winning product on the field by Ray, Durie and the rest of the team.