Draft Focus Turns To Offence

ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF

MISSISSAUGA – The Toronto Argonauts focused on offence and the future in the 2011 CFL Canadian Draft. In all, the Double Blue took five players on offence and two players on defence. Two of the players on offence were futures prospects. The Double Blue got to work early by trading with Saskatchewan to get into the first round and then took futures prospect OL Tyler Holmes with the seventh overall selection.

Commented General Manager & Head Coach Jim Barker, “We are very happy with the 2011 CFL Draft.  We drafted players that fit what we were looking for as an organization. We were able to address some needs we have and create some competition at training camp. We drafted two interior defensive linemen and addressed needs at wide receiver.  We were able to fill our pipeline for the future with Tyler Holmes and Julio Feoli Gudino who is recovering from an injury.”

Barker discussed first round choice, Tyler Holmes, “We felt Tyler Holmes was the best offensive lineman on the board and that the teams ahead of us would be looking at the offensive line.  This trade gives us a chance to get the guy we wanted and fill our pipeline.”

Barker commented on Djems Kouame, “Kouame is a receiver with great explosiveness who goes all out all the time.  He’s one of the few wide receivers who you can envision contributing on special teams.”

Djems Kouame said, “Since I was 9-years old, I always wanted to play football in the CFL. When I found out I was going to Toronto, I was so excited. I’ve always had to work harder than most and I’ve always been hard on myself, and now it’s all been worth it. I can’t wait to continue to push and compete at training camp.”

Barker had the following remarks about Alexander Robinson from Western Ontario, “Xander is a young, raw-boned defensive lineman that can play on the edge and potentially move inside.  He has great length and plays with an attitude.”

Alexander Robinson commented, “It’s been a good mother’s day! I’m really happy to be going to Toronto. Getting to this point has been such an unbelievable experience. My coaches at Western Ontario gave me the confidence and faith I needed to believe I could make it this far and here I am. I’m very excited to get to training camp, compete and work toward becoming a CFL player.”

Barker discussed Jedd Gardner, “Jedd is a guy with great natural speed who showed ability as a playmaker in college. We liked his toughness and ability to catch the ball across the middle.”

Jedd Gardner said, “This whole experience has been surreal. I’ve been working for this since my second year at school. I was an Argos fan growing up and my first choice has always been to play in Toronto. I’m ecstatic to be drafted and will continue to work hard to make the team.”

Barker remarked about Gregory Alexandre, “Greg is a true inside defensive lineman who plays with great leverage and projects as a nose guard in our league.”

Gregory Alexandre enthused, “It’s a dream come true to be drafted into the CFL. I’ve been working all my life to get to this point. After meeting the coaches at Evaluation Camp, I felt Toronto had a great coach and coaching staff so I was really happy to hear from the Argos today. I was really happy to have my friends and family nearby and am thankful for all of their support.”

Barker said about futures prospect WR Julian Feoli Gudino, ”We believe Julian would have been drafted in the first round if he hadn’t broken his ankle last year. Drafting him in the fifth round was a great value to fill our wide receiver pipeline for the future.”

Barker commented on the team’s last pick in the draft, OL Michael Knill, “Michael’s upper body strength is obvious from his performance on the bench press at CFL Evaluation Camp. He’s an inside brawler who brings an attitude and we were excited to be able to draft him in the sixth round.”

2011 Toronto Argonauts Draft Summary:

1    7    OL Tyler Holmes*, Tulsa
3    18    WR Djems Kouame, Montreal
3    22    DL Alexander Robinson, Western Ontario
4    28    WR Jedd Gardiner, University of Guelph
5    35    DL Gregory Alexandre, Montreal
5    38    WR Julian Feoli Gudino*, Laval
6    43    OL Michael Knill, Wilfrid Laurier
*Futures Prospect