Hogan: Camp Diary – Day 17
It’s by far the most difficult position to play in sports.
A quarterback must get the play call from the coach, visualize it, call the play for his teammates, break the huddle, examine the defensive formation, call an audible if needed, read the 20-second clock, receive the snap, read whatever post-snap changes the defence has made, progress his way through the receivers until he sees one that’s open or has a huge advantage over his defender, then within about four seconds after the ball is snapped, throw the ball to a moving target anywhere between five and fifty yards downfield, throw to an area the size of a hula hoop, and do so while opponents between 200-300 pounds are doing everything they can to hit you and hurt you.
Sounds pretty simple, eh?
Currently, the Toronto Argonauts have three veteran quarterbacks at training camp at the University of Guelph, with rookie Kelly Bryant waiting for his quarantine period to end. One of the trio, McLeod Bethel-Thompson, has played with the Argos before and is now entering his fourth season with the team. The others, Nick Arbuckle and Antonio Pipkin, are both new to Toronto, but both have starting experience with other CFL teams.
There are two ways a quarterback room like this could go; there could be unity, camaraderie, a willingness to help each other, and a strong sense of friendship. Or, there could be incredible competition, jealousy, and a “me first” attitude as each tries to win the starting job.
Luckily for the Argos, this group has developed the former characteristics, not the latter.
Argonauts.ca and the three quarterbacks huddled up after a walkthrough on Monday morning, a few minutes after they stayed a half-hour or so on the field working with the offensive line, a few hours before they would return to the field for the final full-speed scrimmage of camp.
“These guys know the game like the back of their hand,” said Bethel-Thompson. “Nick knows this offence like the back of his hand, so me and Pip are just trying to catch up. Everyone that’s taking a rep is setting the standard and the guy behind him has to match it. It’s been an awesome room and I see it getting even better as we get through the season.”
Pipkin was a starter for the Alouettes before signing with Edmonton for a season that never happened. The Argos aggressively pursued him, signing him in the first couple of hours of free agency this year. He says he feels like he’s at home with this group.
“The competitive spirit is going to drive us,” said the native of Gary, Indiana. “The want for someone to mess up, or the want for someone to do bad is not in our room. It’s ‘I need you to do good, so I can do good, so we can get better as a unit.’ We’ve got that in the room, and as a competitor, as a leader, as a quarterback, you want that.”
Arbuckle signed with the Argos after three seasons with Calgary, and one year in Ottawa, playing for the RedBlacks as much as Pipkin did with Edmonton. He’s the only member of the trio that’s worked with Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie before, so he has a major head start on knowing the offence. The Southern California native is thrilled the dynamic between the three QBs is working out so well.
“Everybody’s attitude and approach to the game is the same. We’re all coming in every day, trying to get better, doing all the extra work. These guys are staying after practice, making extra throws. We’re all communicating with the receivers trying to make other people better. We’re all just supporting each other, trying to get better.”
Argonauts.ca could give you a scouting report on each quarterback, but instead, had the QBs give a scouting report on each other.
Pipkin on Arbuckle: “He’s intelligent. A student of the game, always wanting to get better. He’s the shortest out of the group (laughter from everyone). There’s a lack of ego, of jealousy; it’s not in our room.”
Arbuckle on Bethel-Thompson: “I already knew he was really intelligent, he studies the game and works really hard, that’s his reputation around the league. But coming here and seeing some of the off-platform throws (any throw outside of a normal set up and delivery) he’s been able to make, those little plays that he’s able to make that other starting quarterbacks in this league can’t make sets him apart. To make those dynamic plays has been fun to watch.”
Bethel-Thompson on Pipkin: “There are too many strengths to count. He can throw the ball any place on the entire field, he has as strong an arm as anybody in this league, he can outrun most of the SAMs (strongside linebackers) in this league. Physically he’s dominant, but what really makes him special is his toughness and his love of the game. He’s walking through extra; he’s studying extra. When you combine those physical talents with the desire and the mental aptitude, the sky’s the limit.”
Pipkin on Bethel-Thompson: “Sharp. A student of the game. A true veteran, a true pro. Does all the things that you want from a professional quarterback. A teacher, a leader, everything you want in tangibles and intangibles.”
Bethel-Thompson on Arbuckle: “A student of the game. He can make every throw on the field. It’s the desire. Shoot, I need to study more, he’s always watching film. It makes me stay on my game. He’s got a great knowledge of the game and a desire to be better.”
Arbuckle on Pipkin: “By far his (biggest strength is) toughness. I’ve never seen a quarterback get beat up in a training camp more than Pip. He got his hand smacked on a helmet where I think I would have broken my thumb, and he comes back the next play, barely able to grip the football, and he threw the best pass of training camp on a deep post (Note: Argonauts.ca remembers the play vividly and was amazed Pipkin stayed in for the next play, then threw a frozen rope 50 yards downfield hitting Dejon Brissett in full stride). We were all upset about what happened, then we were like ‘I guess he’s fine’ (laughter). He’s been working super hard to learn the offence. He’s probably the most athletic of the quarterback group as well.”
DOUBLE BLUE NEWS
The Argos held a walkthrough in the morning, focusing on special teams assignments, then in the afternoon held their second “Double Blue Scrimmage,” the final one of training camp.
The team played a full quarter, with CFL officials and with the quarter being timed. Each quarterback threw for long touchdowns; McLeod Bethel-Thompson hit Llevi Noel for 33 yards, and Antonio Pipkin threw a 45-yard strike to rookie Damion Jeanpiere.
The other periods were divided into situational segments. The only other touchdown came on a 19-yard pass from Pikpin to Noel. The longest catch of the day came when Bethel-Thompson, from his own end zone, unloaded a high, arching, deep pass down the left sideline that went just beyond the defender and into the hands of Kurleigh Gittens Jr., who made an outstanding over the shoulder catch at the midfield.
Gittens spoke to reporters on the Zoom call after the scrimmage and talked about working with the other members of a talented receiving corps.
“Everybody’s got their own skillset. I don’t compare myself to the other receivers, I try to take a little bit from everyone I see and try to incorporate it into my game so I can be the best football player that I can. I use the best receivers to help me become a better receiver.”
Nick Arbuckle is still nursing a tender hamstring and did not take part in the scrimmage. Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie addressed the situation with reporters on a Zoom conference call afterward. He was asked if he thought the quarterback would be ready for Week One in Calgary.
“I think he’ll be ready, it’s just one of those things. When it comes to soft tissue, you’re so worried about having a pull. Right now, he’s got a little thing with it, but he hasn’t pulled anything. I just hate for him to go out too early and pull his hamstring.”
The Argos held out several veterans who, like Arbuckle, have minor bumps and bruises; the norm for any camp. Dinwiddie said that’s his call.
“I’m been the one that, if there’s any dings on them, I’ve been holding them out. I’ll sit with Josh Shewell (Head Athletic Therapist) and if anybody’s got a ding I go ‘Nope, don’t let them go.’ I don’t want any long-term stuff, so it’s more on me than any of those guys.”