Healthy return of QB Ray key to Argos’ success
TORONTO The Toronto Argonauts begin the 2016 season under new ownership and in a new stadium.
But perhaps the biggest reason for optimism is the healthy return of Ricky Ray.
The veteran quarterback says his surgically repaired right shoulder feels better now than it has over the past three years. Ray played through shoulder pain for two seasons before undergoing an operation following the 2014 campaign.
Ray missed most of last season recovering from the procedure, starting Toronto’s final two regular-season contests and its 25-22 East Division semifinal loss to Hamilton. But Ray worked this offseason with Tom House, a former major-league pitcher who now tutors NFL quarterbacks, and had no arm issues in training camp.
“Just not having to go through those mental hurdles every day of getting through the pain to warm up and not being able to trust it and not knowing how it’s going to feel play to play is great,” Ray said. “It feels good just being able to go out there focusing on the playbook and not how the arm feels.”
A healthy Ray is crucial for Toronto as backup Trevor Harris — who posted a 9-7 record with Ray sidelined — is with the Ottawa Redblacks. Logan Kilgore secured the backup job in camp ahead of rookie Cody Fajardo and Mitchell Gale.
“Logan won the position, it’s up to him to determine whether he can hold on to it,” Argos coach Scott Milanovich said. “He needs to continue to prove he’s the next-best guy to lead this team if something happened to Ricky.
“Ricky’s arm looks better than it has in two years to me. It’s back to the way it was when he first got here (in 2012).”
Vidal Hazelton anchors a young receiving corps, registering 70 catches for 803 yards (both team highs) and four touchdowns last year. Also back are Tori Gurley (58 catches, 791 yards, 10 TDs), Kevin Elliott (50 catches, 642 yards, eight TDs), and Diontae Spencer (36 catches, 502 yards, three TDs) while third-year slotback Anthony Coombs had 57 catches for 486 yards and a TD.
Veteran slotback Andre Durie returns after two injury-plagued seasons but Chad Owens, the 2012 CFL Most Outstanding Player, is now with Hamilton.
“Chad was our main focus offensively (but) sometimes it was hard to move him around and get him involved all the time,” Ray said. “With the guys we have here, anyone can be a threat at any time so you don’t have to worry about trying to move one guy around to get him involved.”
The Argos have more to feel good about than just Ray’s return.
Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, and Bell begin their first full season as principle owners. They shared ownership with Hamilton businessman David Braley last year.