Argos’ Ray impressed with new coach Trestman’s attention to detail
TORONTO (CP) — Ricky Ray isn’t sure what the Toronto Argonauts’ identity will be in 2017, but he’s certain the team will be prepared for each game it plays under new coach Marc Trestman.
“He’s probably the most structured, detailed coach I’ve been around,” said Ray, who’s entering his 15th CFL season and sixth with Toronto. “He puts a lot of thought into what he’s doing, every little thing matters.
“He’s thinking about every situation that’s going to help us with our preparation and how we want to act as a team. He’s a big guy on having standards, not a lot of rules but standards he wants us to live by and what kind of team we want to be and it shows. The guys were really focused in this camp and really bought into what he’s preaching and that’s exciting.”
Trestman became Toronto’s head coach this off-season as part of the CFL team’s major front-office shuffle. GM Jim Barker was fired in January and head coach Scott Milanovich resigned to become the Jacksonville Jaguars’ head coach.
Jim Popp, who spent 21 years as the Montreal Alouettes GM, replaced Barker in Toronto. Popp was reuinted with Trestman, who led the Als to a 59-31 regular-season record from 2008-12 and two Grey Cups before being hired as the Chicago Bears head coach. Despite his impressive CFL resume, Trestman said it’s going to take him time to get reacclimated with the Canadian game.
“I’ve got some growing to do,” Trestman said. “I’m going to continue to gather information and as much as I can utilize the resources I have to try and get that curve to not be as sharp as I might think it is.”
Trestman, who’s regarded as an offensive guru and quarterback technician, wasted no time putting his stamp on the squad, immediately naming Ray as his starter. Milanovich had installed newcomer Drew Willy — acquired in a late-season trade with Winnipeg — as the Argos’ No. 1 quarterback, leaving Ray to decide whether to return as a backup or retire.
Toronto released Willy on Saturday.