ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF

MISSISSAUGA – With just three days to go until their preseason opener on Saturday, the Boatmen took the field this morning for a set of back-to-back practices.
 
GM & head coach Jim Barker expressed how crucial it was for the players to keep their concentration with only a few practices to go, “This is a day that they tend to lose focus on and I talked to them about it.  They can choose to be champions or they can choose to be just another team.”

A couple of veteran players responded to the challenge with a solid day of practice.  Right from the first snap, last year’s team Most Outstanding Player #3 RB Cory Boyd slammed through the holes created by his offensive line. He looks to be in fine form heading into the season.
 
#21 DB Lin-J Shell was very involved, grabbing two interceptions in the first practice, on top of being especially vocal all day long.
 
Last year’s starter #1 QB Cleo Lemon has been consistent throughout the week and his performance was more of the same on Wednesday morning.  Lemon had one stretch during the “skelly” drill where he completed six straight passes. 
 
Lemon seems to be building a nice rapport with #32 RB/SB Andre Durie, who was on the receiving end of three of those six straight completions by the quarterback.  Durie looked very quick and seems to have improved his pass-catching abilities during the off-season.
 
It was a welcome sight to have #94 DT Kevin Huntley back participating in team drills for the first time since training camp started.  Huntley had been nursing his knee and shoulder following three off-season surgeries (two shoulder and one knee). Although cleared to play, Barker thought it best to let him rest to give him the best chance possible to play an entire 18 game season. 
 
After #11 RB Gerald Riggs was sent home to talk to a doctor about a knee injury, #34 RB Dwayne Wright and #44 RB Chad Kackert split carries with the second team offence.  Both players are vying for the backup running back position behind Boyd. 
 
Coach Barker spent a large portion of each practice working on special teams.  The highlight of those sessions was a booming 75-yard punt by #13 P Grant Shaw.
 
The Argos have one more set of back-to-back practices on Thursday before running a walk-thru on Friday in preparation for their exhibition contest on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Rogers Centre.