They went looking for skill and got a two-for-one deal.
When the Toronto Argonauts brought Ralph Holley and Adarius Pickett back to town, they were obviously acquiring an abundance of talent, attempting to right a ship that reeled and eventually ran aground last season.
What they also received when the duo’s pens hit paper was a pair of leaders, both on and off the field.
It’s been great addition for defensive coordinator Greg Quick’s personnel group, but for head coach Mike Miller, it’s given him some peace of mind because of how Pickett and Holley conduct themselves both on and off the field.
“You’ve got to lead by example,” Miller request from Argonauts.ca to define a good leader. “You can’t be saying one thing and then doing another. It’s a guy that’s going to be proficient, a professional, with work ethic, the way they prepare with detail, and are guys that are going to be accountable.”
It’s a perfect description of both players.
Pickett was acquired for several reasons: the obvious one being he’s one of, if not the best strong-side linebacker in the league. But Miller also wants his team to be physical, one of the traits that best describes the UCLA product’s style of play.
It means Pickett would naturally become an on-field leader through osmosis, his teammates feeding off his physicality and high energy. But there’s more to leadership than just that, something the 29-year-old Californian is well aware of.
“I always have been in leadership roles on every team I’ve played on, on and off the field,” the man known as “The Party Starter” told Argonauts.ca. “Whether it’s in the meeting rooms, whether it’s on the field, whether it’s in the locker room, whatever it may be. Players look to me to help them out in various situations; in football, in life, it never really matters. I think that I have a lot of experience, a lot of wisdom, a lot of knowledge to share, and I’m always willing to do that.”
It should be noted that the discussion with Pickett was held on the field immediately after Wednesday’s practice session had ended, and he was just about to lead some defensive players in post-practice drills.
Holley has also assumed a leadership role, though he’s only in his second season in the CFL, with a year in Cleveland sandwiched between this season and his Grey Cup win with the Argos in 2024. But Holley is a natural Pied Piper, his teammates witness his immense ability on the field, coupled with his joyful approach to not only the game, but to life itself. It’s rubbed off, with the defensive line arguably the tightest and most energetic unit on the team.
“I don’t think I try to be a leader,” the Detroit area native confessed to Argonauts.ca. “I’m just trying to be Ralph. I know what it takes to win a Grey Cup from a rookie’s standpoint and I just want to lead by example and be myself.”
If you polled any 10 people around the Argos about who has been the best player in training camp, it would be hard to imagine Holley’s name wouldn’t come up multiple times. He’s showed off his strength, quickness, and intensity, while at the same time demonstrating how much fun he’s having being back in Double Blue.
He’s proven he doesn’t have to try to lead, he just does his thing. The Western Michigan product is also thrilled that he doesn’t have to be the head honcho, he’s surrounded by a myriad of teammates who can fill that leadership role quite nicely.
“That’s the thing about this defence,” he explained. “There are so many seasoned veterans. Leadership comes from all angles, all positions, all sides. Even our rookies, I can see leaders in them too. Everybody is holding each other accountable.”
In a league where players move around often, it’s easy to forget that Holley and Pickett have never played together before. The lineman signed in October 2023, but never dressed for the Argos that year, Pickett’s only season in Toronto.
“Pick Six” likes what he’s seen from Holley so far.
“He’s been showing up on film,” said Pickett. “He holds his group accountable, he’s fun (laughs), he’s serious too, and he comes to work every day. From a leadership standpoint, that’s something that you want to see from a guy like him.”
It’s certainly a mutual admiration club between the two. Holley’s face lit up when asked to talk about Pickett as a teammate.
“He is a great player,” said Holley. “I love his motor, his energy. I thought I was a high energy guy, but Pickett is on a whole other level. He brings that from a linebacker’s standpoint and it’s absolutely amazing. He’s an amazing player.”
With training camp now in the rearview mirror, Holley, Pickett and the rest of a veteran-laden defence can concentrate on its final pre-season game on Friday against Hamilton, then turn its attention to the season opener, June 12 in Montreal.
ARGO NOTES: Wednesday’s practice was the final one of training camp and a great deal of time was spent on the red zone…Tyler Kahmann had what has become the norm for him, a quietly effective day, catching TD passes from Chad Kelly and Tucker Horn. The latter threw a beautiful fade for a 27-yard touchdown…Damonte Coxie made the play of the day during skelly (no linemen), a leaping, contested TD catch along the right sideline. It was eerily similar to the touchdown he scored just before halftime in the 2024 Eastern Final in Montreal…Coxie caught a TD pass from Kelly on the next play…Horn may have had his best day of training camp, making several sharp throws including a perfectly thrown deep ball to Janarion Grant…He also hit rookie Tyriq Quayson with a perfectly thrown 30-yarder…Nick Arbuckle also hit Grant for a TD from 18 yards out…Perhaps the biggest cheer for a catch oddly enough came from the defence. Jack Cassar, the linebacker now playing fullback, caught a swing pass for a first down in front of the defensive sideline. His teammates shouted their encouragement to the sixth-year Argo…The defense also erupted for a play Paris Shand made on a second and goal to get past his man, and again when rookie kicker Reed Martin, who was playing field corner at the time, jumped a route and knocked the ball away from the receiver…Tickets are still available at Argonauts.ca for Friday’s pre-season game against Hamilton. It’s a 7:00 kickoff at Alumni Stadium at the University of Guelph. If you can’t make it, Ben Grant and I will have the call with the game being live streamed at CFL.ca. Ben and I will be back calling Argo football on TSN 1050 this season.