Rookie Coombs to start
Back takes place of injured Durie against Stamps
We expect him to play well. He’s been here a couple of weeks, he’s no longer a rookie. We expect him to do his job
SCOTT MILANOVICH
TORONTO — He’s just two games into his CFL career but halfback Anthony Coombs is no longer a rookie in Scott Milanovich’s eyes.
The former University of Manitoba star will make his first CFL start Saturday night when Toronto hosts the Calgary Stampeders. Coombs, the Argonauts’ 2014 first-round draft pick, replaces veteran slotback Andre Durie, who suffered a broken clavicle in last weekend’s 48-15 home win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Coombs, 21, was impressive in his first extended CFL action. The five-foot-nine 190-pound Winnipeg native ran for 52 yards on six carries, added a 17-yard reception and blocked effectively in pass protection against the Riders.
“Essentially he was the starter last week so it shouldn’t be a real shock for him,” said Milanovich, the Argos’ head coach. “He’s going to kind of be in a new spot but he played some of that in the pre-season.
“We expect him to play well. He’s been here a couple of weeks, he’s no longer a rookie. We expect him to do his job.”
Toronto had high expectations for Coombs when they selected him third overall in the CFL draft. Coombs ran for 2,218 yards and 17 touchdowns at Manitoba while adding 51 receptions for 840 yards and 11 TDs.
Milanovich wanted to bring Coombs along slowly but injuries forced the coach’s hand.
“Last week wasn’t enough time ideally but I guess it’s all relative to the player and last week you would have never known he was a rookie by the way he performed,” Milanovich said. “You just kind of keep giving them more, giving them more, giving them more until you find out they can’t handle it and then you’ve got to scale back.
“So far he hasn’t shown that he can’t handle it.”
Predictably, Coombs is excited about making his first CFL start but understands Milanovich’s comments regarding his rookie status.
“I think he’s trying to take me away from the term because I feel like if you’re a rookie you’re allowed to make mistakes,” Coombs said. “I think he’s trying to hold all of us first-year players to a higher stan- dard.
“We’ve played two games in the CFL and I think there’s no more time for mistakes. You’ve got to know what you’re doing.”
Milanovich said it’s unlikely veteran receiver Jason Barnes (knee) will play Saturday but he expects linebacker Shea Emry and defensive back Dwight Anderson to suit up. Emry practised for a second straight day after sustaining a concussion versus Saskatchewan while Anderson continued becoming familiar with Toronto’s defence after being acquired Monday from the Riders.
Coombs said the Saskatchewan game was a learning experience.
“I just found out the higher level of focus you need when you’re in the game,” he said. “There was a couple of times where I maybe lost focus for a split second in the huddle and forgot what the call was or I didn’t run the play I was supposed to.
“This week I understand the level of focus I’ll need to perform Saturday.”