Training Camp Observations/Tidbits

**Will** · 06-01-2014, 10:43 AM

Perhaps we can sticky this?

I just got back from the first day of practice. I didn't stay the whole day because I was bored.

Curtis Steele was taking first team reps at RB.
That CIS draft pick from Windsor Evan Pszczonak is pretty fast.
The Argos have brought in a few smallish receivers (Chad Owens sized), intriguing to see if they make the team and how they are used.
Defenders struggled on one-on-ones but recovered towards end of first practice.
Johnnie Dixon played a few games for the Argos in 2012 did he not? He is in camp.

That's all for now.

**ArgoGabe22** · 06-01-2014, 11:04 AM

Didn't Johnnie Dixon retire last year due to an injury just before camp. Or was that someone else? Anyways he did play in the last few games of 2012.

**Will** · 06-01-2014, 11:06 AM

It's the same guy.

**1argoholic** · 06-01-2014, 12:09 PM

I guess they brought him back last week. I thought he played well the few games he did.

**ArgoRavi** · 06-01-2014, 01:54 PM

Dixon played one game for the Argos in 2012 which was the regular season finale against Hamilton. He made a strong impression as he played very well that night. He was injured at some point last off-season and the Argos placed him on the suspended list, I believe. I noticed on the transactions wire the other day that they had "re-activated" him.

**jerrym** · 06-01-2014, 07:29 PM

I don't remember all one game Argos but I do remember Dixon as he impressed me. I'm glad to see him back and think he could be a positive contributor to the Argo defence but with only two pregames and plenty of players to try out, sometimes even good guys get cut.

**Will** · 06-02-2014, 04:44 PM

Tempo, tempo, tempo the theme at day 2 of camp.

**Wobbler** · 06-02-2014, 05:30 PM

I'm not sure that Barnes' roster spot is secure. He's experienced and is one of our tallest receivers, but we might find someone younger/cheaper and equally capable. Mind you, most of this year's recruits are little guys; Stroud and Adams are probably the only real candidates to do what Barnes does.

**Will** · 06-02-2014, 06:10 PM

I figured he was more or less safe because Ricky likes him as a redzone target. Wasn't he 2nd on the team in receiving TD's last year?

**ArgoRavi** · 06-02-2014, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by argofan87

Tempo, tempo, tempo the theme at day 2 of camp.

It sounds, from the video clip that is referenced in this blog, that Anthony Coombs is very much in the mix at tailback.

**Argocister** · 06-02-2014, 11:50 PM

Originally Posted by ArgoRavi

It sounds, from the video clip that is referenced in this blog, that Anthony Coombs is very much in the mix at tailback.

Nice.... I'd like to see him earning a spot..... Not necessarily right away, but in the mix regularly.

**D-Gap-Willie** · 06-03-2014, 03:35 AM

Any word on any no-shows at training camp ?

**ArgoGabe22** · 06-03-2014, 11:23 AM

I was on campus and watched the very end of the 2nd practice which ended early so I didn't see much. Red Zone offence looked really good, scoring on most of their plays, with one drop in the end zone by Adams after a perfectly thrown corner route by Harris.

Harris was the backup and looked very good, much improved from last year IMO. If he continues with what I saw from him then I expect him to be behind Ray for the season. Portis seems to the 4th string behind Gale.

Robert Gill took a lot of reps with Barnes, Chiles, Owens. I think Barnes will be okay, but perhaps Romby Bryant will be pushed out. Looks like Ezra Millington was injured.

**mchesher03** · 06-03-2014, 01:11 PM

My biggest concern heading into camp isn’t the offence – it’s the defence. Specifically the D-Line. We’ve lost Khalif Mitchell, David Lee and Johnathon Williams from last year and whiffed on signing Ted Laurent - what are we looking at their this year?

**Rich** · 06-03-2014, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by ArgoGabe22

Robert Gill took a lot of reps with Barnes, Chiles, Owens.

Gill's a tantalizing prospect. We haven't had a WR with breakaway speed since RJ Soward. I can just imagine this guy running under Ricky's rainbow bombs. His speed could really stretch a defence and help open up some stuff underneath.

**bluto** · 06-03-2014, 01:31 PM

Soward was only marginally faster than Chiles.

**Will** · 06-03-2014, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by mchesher03

My biggest concern heading into camp isn’t the offence – it’s the defence. Specifically the D-Line. We’ve lost Khalif Mitchell, David Lee and Johnathon Williams from last year and whiffed on signing Ted Laurent - what are we looking at their this year?

Cleyon Laing and Kiante Tripp are sure to feature in the discussion. Ivan Brown is still on the roster. After that, however, it's very much a toss-up.