Toronto Argonauts: 2015 Training Camp Thread

[Will]

Not a surprise. Zicareli's article in today's sun makes it sound as though Harris is going to start the season as #1. I really hope that is not the case.

It all depends how much time Ray would miss? I'm not uncomfortable if Harris has to start a game or two.

[Wobbler]

It doesn't sound like he's as far along as I had hoped.

#Argos QB Ricky Ray on his shoulder: "It's progressing. I was throwing a tennis ball & baseball today." (1/2) pic.twitter.com/siSnRsEnbM

— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) May 27, 2015

[ArgoRavi]

Here is a good training camp update from the Sun's Frank Zicarelli: http://www.torontosun.com/2015/05/27...-step-with-ray

[1argoholic]

I've had nagging shoulder issues for years. They flare up when I do anything where I have to reach over my head like pruning etc. It doesn't take much to be in plenty of pain. I first noticed this while tossing a football years ago at Erindale after an Argo practice.

So I'd imagine being a qb you's have to take your time and rehab very slowly. It may be a while before Rays comfortable enough and not in pain. Tossing tennis balls says to be that he's a way off.

Could be another up and down year for the guys and us fans.

[ArgoRavi]

Could be another up and down year for the guys and us fans.

I think that we are going to have to be patient and remember that Hamilton has started horribly each of the last two seasons and still made it to the Grey Cup. Montreal was also 1-7 last year and ended up losing in the East Final and, finally, the Lions were 1-6 in 2011 and won the Grey Cup. I think that the first half of the season is going to be challenging for the Argos but hopefully they can gel into a contender in the second half of the season.

[R.J]

Could be another up and down year for the guys and us fans.

Hamilton is about the same so I'd give them first in the east at this point, Ottawa looks better on offense (at least on paper, along with the Maas and Chiu hires) and Montreal looks about the same as last year.
If Crompton stays as #1 spot in Montreal I see them regressing, if Marsh or Lefevour show up I could see them take second or at least fighting for second in the East with Ottawa. The Argos have to be a concern, offensively there will be at least 3 new starting receivers and no clear cut #1 RB (doesn't matter anyways until Milanovich starts calling more run plays), Ray could be out for awhile and who knows what Harris is capable of (or even Gale for that matter) and by far the biggest concern has to be Creehan as DC, I know there's a chance that he's finally "got it" in terms of being a DC in the CFL, but Hamilton in 12 and Winnipeg in '13 were some of the worst defenses I've ever seen.

[Wobbler]

Seems as though there is a lot of pessimism in the air. Poll time!

[argotom]

I hope Ricky is not out for too long as the cupboard is definitely bare without him.
Harris or Gale did not show much last year.
Maybe the team can swing a deal for Lafevour in Montreal is the prognosis is bad for Ricky?

[argolio]

LeFevour is too valuable as a backup, and might end up being the starter in Montreal. Can't see him being available.

Besides which, we could have signed him as a free agent, but we had no money.

[Mookie Fan]

I hope Ricky is not out for too long as the cupboard is definitely bare without him.
Harris or Gale did not show much last year.
Maybe the team can swing a deal for Lafevour in Montreal is the prognosis is bad for Ricky?

Harris and Gale didn't get enough playing time to show much last year. In limited action, they looked quite good. Gale looked great on short yardage plays and seemed to be a quick study, quite professional and have lots of enthusiasm. He never got much of a chance (or any?) to run the offence in other situations. Harris looked raw but quite capable in the game he started against Ottawa at the end of the season. He had a stronger arm last year and was more mobile than Ricky Ray.

As for LeFevour, I wouldn't be interested in trading for him. I think we're fine at QB and quite frankly, I would rather have the QBs we have than LeFevour. He (LeFevour) also sustained a serious season-ending knee injury last year. He had some success but did not get enough playing time to prove much of anything. Even Cleo Lemon had a 300+ yard game.

The Argos also signed QB Blake Sims, who has potential. I don't see how the cupboard is bare without Ricky Ray. Before we had Ricky Ray, we didn't have much at the QB position. Now we have several promising QBs with potential. Admittedly I know nothing about Logan Kilgore, but some online have suggested he is an intriguing prospect as well. This list isn't even counting Zach Collaros and Josh Portis, who we don't have anymore.

[Wobbler]

As an inveterate pre-season optimist, I like the upside of Ray's recovery period. Our #2-5 guys will get more camp reps and *all* of the pre-season game reps, so we'll have an unusually good opportunity (and extra motivation) to evaluate our collection of backups/potential successors.

[gilthethrill]

I hope Ricky is not out for too long as the cupboard is definitely bare without him.
Harris or Gale did not show much last year.
Maybe the team can swing a deal for Lafevour in Montreal is the prognosis is bad for Ricky?

Harris has been with the team for 3 seasons now, I see no reason why he can't do a good job in Ray's absence.

[ArgoZ]

Harris has been with the team for 3 seasons now, I see no reason why he can't do a good job in Ray's absence.

This is definitely his greatest opportunity. Start the season as the starter and win the job for the future.

[Neely2005]

CFL Season Preview: Toronto Argonauts:

http://www.tsn.ca/video/cfl-season-p...nauts-1.294026

[Will]

Training Camp Primer: Offensive Line

http://argonauts.ca/article/training...offensive-line

LG and C are set with Holmes and Keeping, but the article seems to suggest a significant role for Wayne Smith and RG and I'm wondering how many games he started last year. Van Zeyl is probably going to be RT and LT might be up for grabs with Jarriel King the favorite right now. I'd love if Matt Sewell could gain a spot on this line. All in all, the OL was actually pretty good at protecting the QB's last year. IIRC, run blocking was an issue though.

Training Camp Primer: Defensive Line

http://argonauts.ca/article/training...defensive-line

I am comfortable with Foley and Tristan O at the ends. Laing slides into one of the DT spots, but the other DT spot is a mystery.

[AngeloV]

[B]Training Camp Primer: Offensive Line

IIRC, run blocking was an issue though.

I don't think run blocking was too big an issue last year. Steele averaged 6.2 and Slaton 5.4 YPG, which considering neither really had any break away runs (29 was their longest run) is pretty good.

[gilthethrill]

I am glad to see Kyle Moore still in the mix on the DL...but can anyone....I mean anyone tell me what his season long injury was last season? I thought he played the pre season game at Varsity, but was unaware of any injury...

AV, hopefully Himebach can help the Argos run game when it come to short yardage. Other than the QB sneak, I felt our run game suffered in that department last season.

[Will]

I don't think run blocking was too big an issue last year. Steele averaged 6.2 and Slaton 5.4 YPG, which considering neither really had any break away runs (29 was their longest run) is pretty good.

They struggled on short-yardage situations. I guess I just extrapolated that to the running game as a whole.

[T-Bone]

There is hope. I just saw Ricky Ray throwing before practice. Feathering a ball about 25 yards. Perfect spirals. #CFL #Argos

— Curtis Rush (@CurtisGRush) May 29, 2015

Throwing is over for Ricky Ray. Shoulder wrapped in ice now. But encouraging to see him feathering 25-yarders, even for a few minutes. #CFL

— Curtis Rush (@CurtisGRush) May 29, 2015

[Ron]

LeFevour is too valuable as a backup, and might end up being the starter in Montreal. Can't see him being available.

Besides which, we could have signed him as a free agent, but we had no money.

There's a difference between having no money or just not wanting someone.