Argonauts training camp opens

With rookies and quarterbacks reporting today for training camp, the Argonauts have released the following statement in respect of recent transactions:

Mississauga - The Toronto Argonauts Football Club announced today that the following players have been added.

POS    NAME                      STATUS         COLLEGE

DB       Antareis Bryan         IMP                 Baylor

DB       Joshua Gatlin           IMP                 North Dakota State

OL       Jarriel King               IMP                 South Carolina

DB       Alonzo Lawrence      IMP                 Mississippi Gulf Coast

WR      DJ Monroe               IMP                 Texas

DB       Bryant Nnabuife       IMP                 California-Berkeley

OL       Terris Paliwoda        NIP                  Alberta

DB       Jamie Robinson       IMP                 Florida State

DL       Kiante Tripp             IMP                 Georgia

DL       Jonathan Williams    IMP                 South Carolina

WR      Reggie Williams       IMP                  Washington

The Argonauts also announced that Western University quarterback Will Finch will practice with the team during 2013 training camp as an underclassman. The Burlington, Ontario native threw for over 1,400 yards while rushing for close to 400 yards last season for the Mustangs.

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With veterans reporting on Sunday, the countdown to the new season has begun in earnest.  Regardless of the mocking of snooty anti-CFL sports fans, I’m pumped (not that I have a chip on my shoulder or anything…….) and not just because the overrated Noel Prefontaine won’t be returning!

Here’s the rookies (along with Ricky Ray) getting ready for their first professional practice:

There are numerous questions to be answered, including whether the Argonauts can repeat as Grey Cup champions, will the offense and defence improve on last season’s fifth-place rankings and if they can get their average home crowd any closer to the 30,000 mark?

On a more individual level, media and fans alike are wondering if this will be Ricky Ray’s last season in an Argonauts uniform and if Khalif Mitchell will ever wear the double blue?*

* Dear Mr Mitchell, you don’t know me and I don’t know you, but here’s a little tip.  If you’re hoping to make it in the NFL one day, you might want to display a bit more of a team-player attitude, even if you’re just faking it.  Yours sincerely, Paul Taylor.

Rest assured, whatever the 2013 campaign brings, at least the Argonauts are settled at the very top.  With GM Jim Barker, head coach Scott Milanovich and assistant GM/defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones in place, I have every confidence the organisation will be well prepared for the season ahead.

Photo credit: @TorontoArgos

If you have any tips or information about any of Toronto’s sports teams, please email me at Englishpaul@hotmail.co.uk

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