ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF

MISSISSAUGA – While everyone focuses on the much-publicized quarterback competition at Argos training camp, there is another battle developing in the defensive backfield.

There have been a total of five days of practice thus far, including Rookies & Quarterbacks Camp, and the defensive backs are not only flying around like it is mid-season but seem to have built a rather unique camaraderie early on.

Despite the bond, the battle to either fill the void left at the starting short-side cornerback spot or supplant a starter from last year is in full swing and Argos GM & Head Coach Jim Barker couldn’t be happier.

“I don’t think there’s a DB there that hasn’t come in and done some really good things,” he said.  “That’s probably the stiffest competition, in the secondary, so that makes us better. Competition brings out the best in everybody.”

The unfortunate retirement of last year’s starting boundary cornerback, Willie Middlebrooks, has left a gapping whole that two Argos DBs are licking their chops to try and fill. One is a rookie and the other is a sophomore who earned his first and only two CFL starts in the most hostile of environments.

Sean Smalls, a prospect out of Massachusetts, was originally signed to the Argos’ practice roster last October but wasn’t expected to see any game action.  Middlebrooks’ injury forced Smalls into action and the raw rookie impressed in the team in two playoff games in Hamilton and Montreal respectively. 

Although it was a rather unconventional introduction to a new game, Smalls believes that getting that opportunity, at the very least, boosts his moral heading into a situation where he could potentially take over that spot permanently.

“It feels good to be back on the field again after such a short time last year,” he said.  “[Last year] was a big turning point for me because I was out of football for a while.  It was just big to get my confidence back.”

After being thrown into the fire last year and performing well, many outsiders would give Smalls a leg up in the battle for the open corner spot but the 24-year-old sees this as a fresh start – one where he can only focus on his play and not the play of others.

“As a football player, you can always get better and learn something new every day, and I really like my coaches.  I know that they are here to help us get better and take everyone’s  game to another level. All I can do is control what I do on the practice field.”

One of Smalls’ biggest competitors at the corner spot is newcomer Armando Murillo.  A two-year starter at Nebraska, Murillo has impressed the coaching staff early on in Toronto after having a brief stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season.

The 25-year-old from Tampa, Florida comes from a family that has their fair share of athletes.  Murillo’s brother, Javier Arenas, currently plays the same position for the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL, and his cousin is NBA point guard Gilbert Arenas, now with the Orlando Magic.

Despite his pedigree, Murillo understands that even though he has had a few productive practices, his work is far from complete when it comes to trying to stand out from the pack.

“There are a few things I have to correct but I know that I have a long way to go to be able to get on the field with these guys – a few reads and keys, just getting on the same page with them,” he said. 

Maybe his biggest challenge early on was adjusting to the field size, which can throw off cornerbacks who are new to the league.

“It’s really the deep balls; the field is wider, receivers got those extra yards to fade off on those deep balls. That’s not what I’m used to and I have to adjust to that,” Murillo explained. 

“I have been running good with them. It’s just that extra room, it’s getting me right at that last tenth of a second, just a little bit that gets you. I’m just trying to adjust on that, get my eyes up quicker; and be physical down there while trying to go get the ball.”

It’s one of the most important positions on the football field and the Double Blue and it’s fans can thank its scouts for providing many talented players from which to choose.