Oh yeah. The hug filled days of fun loving Pinball Clemons coaching the Argos are long gone. After 36 years as a defensive assistant coach, Rich Stubler is finally a head coach. While the majority of the Argos knows Stubler well from his days as a defensive coordinator; now that he’s the head man, it’s a whole new experience. You won’t see Stubler dancing and joining hands with his players for a group chant. As a head coach, Stubler is all business.
For example. At the Wednesday morning practice, running back Tyler Ebell injured his left ankle. While the medical staff tended to Ebell, Stubler simply moved the practice up a few yards and continued on with his work. Turns out Ebell suffered a rupture Achilles tendon and he’s gone for the season.
The moment you see Kerry Joseph, the CFL’s reigning most outstanding player, on the field and running the offence; there is little doubt that he will be the Argos number one quarterback.
Quarterback Cody Pickett has received a long look at camp and has not only made some solid throws; but he’s also surprised me with his scrambling abilities.
Adriano Belli is, well, Adriano Belli. He’s hitting and kissing everything in sight. I have managed to avoid him so far.
Forget all the negative stuff that you’ve ever read or heard; Mike Vanderjagt is a good dude. I can only go by my own personal experience. I have always gotten along well with “Vandy” and he seems genuinely happy to be back in Toronto.
Mike O’Shea is still running around, making plays and directing the Argos defence like a drill sergeant. Despite a laundry list of various injuries he’s suffered over the years, O’Shea has only missed one game last 11 seasons. One freaking game in eleven seasons.
Under Stubler, Argos camp had taken on the personality of their new head coach. It’s direct, cut-throat, and straight to the point. Once you cross the white lines, Stubler expects a player to be all business. Even though he’s handing over care of his beloved defence to Kavis Reed; Stubler is very much involved in this incredible unit.
The key to the whole thing is the Argos secondary. Between them, the five man unit combined for amazing 21 interceptions and four defensive touchdowns last year. Of the five, Orlondo Steinauer, Byron Parker and Kenny Wheaton were CFL All-Stars in 2007.
Not only are they great, the five of them couldn’t be more different.
Chuck Winters – one of the teams most community minded players – grew up in the worst neighbourhood, located in the heart of the Detroit projects.
An incredible natural athlete, Byron Parker was the 2003 NCAA slam dunk champion.
Heavy into yoga and the martial arts, Khalil Carter bounced around literally every pro football league on the planet before finding a home in Toronto.
Mister reliable, Orlondo Steinauer is a four-time CFL All-Star and the glue that holds them together.
And then there’s “Dirty 30”. Former Dallas Cowboy Kenny Wheaton. One of the most feared hitters in the CFL, Wheaton loves playing the role of the bully.
The Argos secondary is a huge reason why the defence has been the best in the CFL the past five seasons.
As much as Stubler is all about working hard and getting prepared for the season; there’s a very relaxed side to his personality. Just before the Thursday afternoon practice, I stood there; sipping my Tim Hortons and just talked football and golf with Stubler and Mike Vanderjagt. You just got to love the CFL. I mentioned to Stubler how impressed I was with Cody Pickett. The first thing he says was how impressed he was with Reggie McNeal. A super-star high school quarterback in Texas, Stubler says McNeal is faster than Bethel Johnson. That’s saying a lot because the former Patriots receiver is a bona fide speed burner.
By early next week everyone will be pretty much sick and tired of two-a-days. June 12th in Montreal, Mike Hogan will be calling all the action on the Fan 590 as the Argos take on the Als in their first pre-season game.
That’s when Stubler and his staff will start ruthlessly cutting players and get closer to the opening day roster.
--Jim "Clubber" Lang
This blog reprinted with permission of the author.
One of Sportsnet's most versatile reporters, Jim covers the Leafs beat, can be seen regularly on Connected and can be read weekly on Sportsnet.ca.
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