Trestman names Ray Argos’ starting QB
Marc Trestman wasted no time making his first official decision as head coach of the Toronto Argonauts.
Trestman named veteran Ricky Ray as his starting quarterback Tuesday, moments after he and new general manager Jim Popp were unveiled by the CFL club at BMO Field.
Ray had been pondering his future this off-season after losing the starting job to Drew Willy, who was acquired late last season from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Trestman said he spoke at length with Ray last week and not only was the 37-year-old re- turning for a 15th CFL season — and sixth with Toronto — but he was back as the Argos’ starting quarterback.
“I haven’t seen Drew Willy play at all . . . but I’ve seen Ricky Ray play and I know he’s a Hall of Fame quarterback who has won championships,” Trestman said. “He’s excited to play and he’ll come in here as the starting quarterback.
“There will be no competition and he and I will decide whether he’s capable of doing that as we move along. Drew Willy understands that. I had a chance to talk with (Willy) and I am very, very impressed with him as a person.”
Trestman’s declaration was certainly bold given Ray has missed 36 regular-season games since arriving in Toronto prior to the 2012 season. When healthy, the six-footthree, 210-pound Ray remains a pinpoint passer — his 67.97 per cent completion average is the best in league history — and he’s won three CFL championships, the last being in 2012 when the Argos claimed the historic 100th Grey Cup game at Rogers Centre.
But Ray has started just 11 games the last two years.
Willy, 30, completed 77-of113 passes (68.1 per cent) for 681 yards with three TDS and an interception in four starts with Toronto.
But the six-foot-three, 213pound New Jersey native couldn’t stop the club’s nosedive as it lost 11 of its final 12 regular-season contests to finish last in the East Division at 5-13.