Ray returns for Argonauts today
Toronto welcomes veteran QB back to face Montreal
TORONTO (CP) — The Toronto Argonauts have their offensive leader back.
Veteran quarterback Ricky Ray will start today when Toronto (3-5) hosts the Montreal Alouettes (3-4). The game will complete a homeand-home series between the East Division rivals.
Montreal earned a 21-9 win last Friday and can capture the season series with another victory.
Ray didn’t play last week after suffering a shoulder injury in a 41-24 home loss to Calgary on Aug. 3. Jeff Mathews, who started in Ray’s spot, and Cody Fajardo were a combined 18-of-28 passing for 142 yards.
Ray’s return should provide a major boost to Toronto’s pass-happy offence. Prior to being injured, Ray opened the season with 300 or more yards passing in the Argos’ first six games.
“He’s just an outstanding leader and player and has been an outstanding player on a consistent basis for a very long time,” Argos head coach Marc Trestman said. “He’s certainly a decorated player . . . and arguably one of the greatest quarterbacks to play in this league based on what he’s accomplished.”
Ray, 37, is a three-time Grey Cup champion with over 57,000 career passing years. Earlier this year, he surpassed Condredge Holloway as Toronto’s all-time passing leader.
Ray, the most accurate passer in CFL history, needs three TD strikes to break Holloway’s club record of 98.
But personal accomplishments mean little to Ray.
“Obviously when you’re done playing if you have a few records to look back on, it makes it fun,” he said. “The things I’ll remember more are the Grey Cup teams I’ve been on . . . that’s where the fond memories are.”
Ray missed 15 regular-season games in 2015 recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. He said his shoulder issues have been the result of bad luck.
Ray isn’t worrying about possibly re-injuring the joint and losing more playing time.
“There’s always a chance for that, but you go into every game just worried about the game and you deal with whatever comes your way,” he said. “I think when you start worrying about stuff like that, it’s probably time to stop playing.
“It’s a physical game, guys are getting dinged all the time. You just put that out of your mind and try to go out and play hard and see what happens.”
The Argos face a stingy Montreal defence that’s allowing just 22.7 offensive points per game, second only to Calgary (19.0).
Receiver S.J. Green said having Ray back will make a difference.
“Tto have a guy like Ricky back in the fold, words can’t describe.
“He’s the ultimate professional, he’s going to be prepared.”