ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
MISSISSAUGA – Heading into their final pre-season tilt Thursday night versus Winnipeg, Argonauts’ GM & Head Coach Jim Barker has at least one position battle sorted out. Cleo Lemon will be the team’s starting quarterback going forward. He has been consistent throughout the duration of camp and while a groin injury to Dalton Bell may have helped ease the 31-year old into the limelight, coach Barker had high praise for Lemon’s performance over two full weeks of practice.
“Cleo understands that he needs to play well all the time that he’s in there because he’s got a quarterback behind him now,” Barker said Wednesday. “It’s a totally different situation this year. I think Cleo has risen to the occasion and he deserves plaudits for how he’s come to camp; for his mental approach; for his toughness and tenaciousness in not allowing this job to get away from him, and my hat’s off to him.”
Lemon’s hold on the starting spot will be reflected in playing time on Thursday. He’ll play into the third quarter before giving way to rookie QB B.J. Hall. It is possible that Danny Brannagan will see a few series in the fourth quarter, but that is dependent on how his injured wrist is feeling come game time.
Barker firmly believes in getting his quarterback as many reps with the starting unit as possible. Thus, Thursday’s offensive lineup will feature many of last year’s starters. The only offensive incumbents not slated to start are Chad Owens, Jeremaine Copeland and Mike Bradwell. The former two are dealing with muscle tightness in their legs while Bradwell is still recovering from an injured hamstring. With some of the veteran receivers absent, Barker is waiting for several of the young guns to prove that they belong with the club.
“Receiver is a position that we’re going to look very closely at,” said Barker. “Rideau – Robinson – D.J. Boldin is a great battle. We can probably only keep one of them on the roster. Somebody is going to have to step up and make some plays.”
There will be a similar battle on the defensive side of the football. With so many talented defensive backs at his disposal, Barker wants to see if success in practice can translate into impressive performances in a game situation.
“Can guys make tackles in the open field? We’re going to be playing some big receivers. Buck Pierce is a mobile quarterback so it’s going to be important for us to feel that. That’s the stuff you don’t get in practice,” Barker explained.
If there is little separation between those battling for a spot, Barker has long stressed the significance he is placing on special teams. For many players, special teams will be the ticket to Calgary for the regular season opener. For others, it will be their ticket home.
“Special teams is going to determine the fate of a lot of these guys [as to whether or not they make the team],” said Barker. “We don’t pay lip service to being dominant on special teams.”
The Argos will face a Blue Bombers team with most of their regulars in the starting lineup. The team dressed few veterans in their only other preseason game, a 27-15 loss at the hands of the Montreal Alouettes. Quarterback Buck Pierce is slated to see his first game action since Labour Day of last year, when he went down with a dislocated elbow. The Boatmen will also have to contain last season’s leading rusher in Fred Reid, who amassed 1,396 yards while eclipsing the 100-yard mark four times. Reid’s presence should make for an interesting running back matchup. Argos’ 2010 Most Outstanding Player Cory Boyd will make his preseason debut after dropping approximately 15 pounds in the off-season. He has shown improved quickness throughout training camp.
Aside from Owens, Copeland, Bradwell and Bell, the Argos that will not in the lineup include: DB Josh Abrams, WR Mike Bradwell, QB Steven Jyles, LB Ejiro Kuale, OT Rob Murphy, WR/KR Sammy Tranks and OT Chris Van Zeyl. They are all sporting a variety of bumps and bruises.
Kickoff is at 8:00 p.m. ET at Canad Inns Stadium and you can watch the game on TSN, listen on TSN Radio 1050 or follow the game live on argonauts.ca. The Argos will host a Viewing Party at Jack Astor’s , 133 John St., in downtown Toronto on Friday, July 1. All fans are welcome to attend and cheer the Double Blue on to victory in the regular season opener against Calgary.