It’s an annual rite in each CFL training camp.
A player will arrive in town, virtually unknown by the majority of fans, and slowly but surely begin to get noticed. For receivers, it may be because of a great catch during a drill, or during one of the segments of practice where they’re up against the defence.
The tradition has continued in 2022 as the Toronto Argonauts near the midway point of training camp at the University of Guelph. There are currently 19 pass catchers on the roster; 10 returning players and 9 newbies, all of whom have flashed at times.
Cam Phillips may be considered a tweener in that group. While he was here for the 2019 season, he spent almost all of the year on the practice roster; making his CFL debut in the regular-season finale against Edmonton, catching two passes for 20 yards.
This year Phillips looks like a different player. He’s playing with a much greater level of confidence and it’s showing. No matter which of the four quarterbacks he’s teamed with, he’s been able to make plays – often.
“It’s much easier, the game has slowed down for me,” Phillips explained to Argonauts.ca after Wednesday’s practice. “I don’t think there’s enough emphasis to the (new) players how different the game is; the nuances of the waggle, adding the twelfth man on the field on both sides of the ball is really different. Being in my second year my eyes have seen it. I’ve been able to adjust and I’m much more comfortable out there.”
Phillips is in a unique position. He’s proven that he has the talent to challenge for a starting job, while at the same time he’s being chased by first-year Argos who want his job. He’s got a firm grasp on how to handle that mentally.
“I’m a firm believer in controlling what I can control,” he said. “Out there you have an assignment every play, so if I handle my assignment to the best of my ability – detailed and being attentive – I just let the chips fall where they may.”
Any success Phillips achieves shouldn’t be a surprise. The Charlotte, North Carolina native was the XFL’s best receiver in the league’s 2020 incarnation. He led that league in catches, receiving yards, touchdowns and also had the longest catch in an abbreviated season.
One of the new players trying to catch the coaches’ attention is Isaiah Wright. After a year as a running back at Temple, he was moved to receiver and his career took off. He also established himself as a dangerous returner.
Like many receivers in their first few days in a CFL camp, Wright found himself puzzled by a lot of the things going on.
“Coming in at first I was confused,” he admitted. “I was thinking what the hell is going on? But I’ve got a good support system with my coaches and my fellow teammates who are pushing me to be better and being there for me on the field. I feel I’m coming into my groove running my routes and understanding the waggle; it’s getting a little easier now.”
Wright spent the 2020 season in the NFL with Washington, catching 27 passes in 14 games before being released just before the 2021 season kicked off. Argonauts.ca asked him which transition was tougher; from NCAA to the NFL or American football to the CFL?
“Going from American to Canadian football for the first time,” said Wright. “It’s getting the nuances of the waggle down, with the twelfth defender on the field understanding the coverages and playing fast.”
He looked very good on Wednesday, highlighted by a TD catch where he kept a foot in bounds along the sidelines while diving for a ball. He also showed he was understanding coverages as he found a hole in the zone on a play where Chad Kelly was forced to roll out, then found Wright sitting down between two defenders.
It was a veteran move by a CFL rookie.
Also rounding into form nicely is A.J. Richardson. During a drill running the offence from the defensive 5-yard line, the Boise State product caught touchdown passes on successive plays, and earlier in the day made a great catch on a 50/50 ball some 40 yards downfield.
He spent two years with the Arizona Cardinals before – like Wright – being released just before the start of the 2021 season. He’s thrilled to be playing again.
“It’s a blessing,” he confessed. “A couple months ago I was at the crib just chilling, waiting for an opportunity. It’s even better coming to a different country, a country I’ve been wanting to visit. I’m taking it all in and I’m enjoying it.”
While he’s anxious to get out of camp in Guelph and investigate all Toronto has to offer, he’s currently living in a four-bedroom dorm house with Wright, Phillips, and fellow first-year Argo receiver Darece Roberson Jr.
Richardson loves spending time with his housemates but had a confession to make.
“Honestly, right now, I’d say I’m the messiest guy,” he said with a smile. “I’ve seen my room, so I know I’m the messiest guy.”
He may be a bit sloppy in the dorm, but he’s been clean on the field of late and that has greatly enhanced his chances of cracking the Argo lineup.
ARGO NOTES:
Practice returned to Alumni Stadium after a day on the natural grass at the Gyphon Soccer Complex…In a training camp where the defence has been the alpha dog, the offence had a much better day…There was time given for special teams to work through some coverages, and also work on onside kicks for the first time. Special Team Coordinator Mickey Donovan was happy with the group’s quick grasp of what he was trying to install…After practice was over the QBs and receivers stayed on the field to work some things out. McLeod Bethel-Thompson did the majority of the talking, coaching up his offensive brethren.