The Toronto Argonauts took the field at Alumni Stadium at the University of Guelph on Thursday, kicking off their fifth day of 2016 Training Camp with another back-to-back practice session.
The Toronto Argonauts took the field at Alumni Stadium at the University of Guelph on Thursday, kicking off their fifth day of 2016 Training Camp with another back-to-back practice session
Grateful for a break
The Argonauts returned to the practice field on Thursday, following a break from on-field activities on Wednesday. With training camp now in full swing, the players were grateful to be given a day to rest their bodies.
“That’s the one thing I can say about Scott, he takes care of his players,” said veteran linebacker Keon Raymond. “He makes sure that when we need rest, we rest, and when we need to go, we go. He’s very receptive to his players.”
With the grind of training camp setting in and guys beginning to deal with bumps and bruises, the tempo of today’s practice was turned back a notch, but Milanovich said the effort during the toughest part of camp has been acceptable.
“This is the hardest part, this first week of camp,” explained Milanovich. “We’ll have the mock game on Saturday and it will start to lighten up some next week when every day isn’t a two-a-day.”
Whitaker a near-lock at running back
The starting running back position is Brandon Whitaker’s to lose, and it would take “something strange” for anyone else to start there at this point, according to Milanovich.
“Brandon’s just a pro. Running backs always think about carrying the ball and [getting] touches and yards,” said Milanovich. “Brandon understands that his first responsibility is to protect our quarterback and he takes that job seriously.”
Whitaker is entering his second season with the Double Blue after receiving his second career East-Division All-Star nomination during his first year with the team in 2015. The native of Edmond, Oklahoma has a familiarity with Milanovich’s protection-first approach to the running back position, thanks to their shared time in Montreal from 2008-11. The eight-year CFL veteran had his most productive season during Milanovich’s final season as the Als’ offensive coordinator.
“You can’t win a game without your quarterback standing up at the end of it,” Whitaker began. “From my days in Montreal with Scott, [I know] that’s always been his number one thing… The carries are going to come, the catches are going to come, but the number one thing is to block for the quarterback.”
WATCH: Brandon Whitaker taking on leadership role
WATCH: Keon Raymond excited to be an Argo
Training Camp Day 3 Anecdotes:
- Through four days of practice, one of the best 1-on-1 battles that has emerged during camp has been the one between veteran defensive end Justin Hickman and veteran offensive tackle Josh Bourke. The two long-time CFL vets were both signed by the team in the off-season, and both have brought their best to camp and to the offensive/defensive line 1-on-1’s.
- Rookie wideout Malcolm Williams – two days after making the catch of the day in the team’s last practice – repeated his performance on Thursday, laying out to make a difficult, contested catch during the team’s 1-on-1 session. Running back Chad Kackert stole the show with a catch of his own on Thursday, switching into another gear to close to the ball on a wheel route before laying out to secure the pass.
- International rookie DB Aaron Berry had a strong practice, making an interception in 1-on-1’s and the final team session of the day. Just minutes after his team-session INT, Berry was narrowly out-jumped on a corner route by fellow international rookie Markeith Ambles, who made a tough catch look easy on the play.