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HomeSportsArgonauts job battles go down to the wire

Argonauts job battles go down to the wire


The Argonauts will get a final look at their training camp roster, including Chad Kelly’s first start at quarterback, when they close out the pre-season against the Ottawa Redblacks at Guelph’s Alumni Stadium on Thursday night.

The Grey Cup champions will have a bye to start the CFL regular season, before opening at home against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 18.

They still have decisions to make. Here’s a look at four key areas:

Quarterback

Kelly is listed as Thursday’s starter, after he was pulled from Saturday’s game against the Tiger-Cats with elbow soreness. Kelly is already set to open the season as the starting quarterback, but Thursday’s game will provide valuable information about how he handles long and short reads, his chemistry with receivers, and his speed and mobility. With a bye week coming, Kelly is likely to see more action that usual for a pre-season contest. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie and his staff will also get a look at Bryan Scott (sharp in Saturday’s 27-22 loss to Hamilton), Ben Holmes, and Cameron Dukes. There’s no clear leader in the battle for the backup job.

Injuries

Several regulars will sit out the pre-season finale as the Argos play it cautious with injured players. Kurleigh Gittens Jr. wasn’t on the depth chart for Thursday’s game. The 25-year-old receiver, coming off a breakout season in which he finished sixth in the league in receiving yards and was the East Division nominee for outstanding Canadian, suffered a shoulder injury last weekend. Key defensive back Robert Priester (leg) also wasn’t listed. But Shawn Oakman (out with a shoulder injury Saturday) will be back on the defensive line.

Receivers

The Argos appear to have an embarrassment of riches. Beyond the starters — Gittens, DaVaris Daniels, Markeith Ambles and Cam Phillips — are a host of other receivers who have impressed in camp. RaJae’ Johnson and B.J. Byrd both impressed last weekend in Hamilton. Canadians David Ungerer III and Tommy Nield are also squarely in the mix. In addition, Lonnie Moore, Damonte Coxie and Dejon Brissett are experienced receivers making strong bids.

Running backs

It will be the Andrew Harris and A.J. Ouellette show once again for the defending champions, with Javon Leake and Daniel Adeboboye in the mix. Another name that has intrigued observers is Deonta McMahon. The 23-year-old out of McNeese State rushed for 2,155 yards and 21 touchdowns in 27 college games, while catching 57 passes for 519 yards and another two majors. He might also challenge Leake for a spot on the kick-return team.

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