Argonauts like to push themselves by making new using old

Running back to Andrew Harris, 35, whom the Winnipeg Blue Bombers feared was too slow, and wide receiver Brandon Banks, 34, who is no longer seen by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as the league’s most important player. CFL he was in 2019, both chosen to join the Toronto team this spring to help it find the height it already knows.

Heading into Argos ’regular-season opening, they both said they were on offense, ready to show they have more in the tank than their former teams say.

I am not oldHarris said at a press briefing on Tuesday, two days before his address BMO field against Montreal. After all, yes, in the locker room, when I’m listening to conversations I can’t understand with all the music of the moment. But if not, I’m ready for a dominant season!

Harris, who has already been inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, has three Gray Cup rings to his name. He led the CFL in rushing yards from 2017-19, but suffered a downturn last year when he was limited by injuries to seven games. He made it back to the playoffs, however, being named 107^e Gray Cup final, which he won with Winnipeg in Hamilton.

I wasn’t as healthy last year as I am nowhe said. I feel confident. I feel strong now. I feel like I’m ready to be myself on the field, move chainers, tackle and serve as a quarterback option through the air.

Because of this, head coach Ryan Dinwiddie is not worried. He hopes a solid season of his new running back, where he will have the ball for 90% of ground games.

Andrew has always been the lowest risk bet for us. We saw him play well last year. They (the Blue Bombers) have won every game he’s been to and [à 34 ans]he was even pulling Winnipeg on his shoulder and we understoodhe said.

On the other hand, in Speedy B (Brandon Banks), there is more doubt. Unfortunately, injuries derailed his season last year […] We jumped by faith (leap of faith) and he has already rewarded us with training camp.

In fact, Banks, who can be considered ‘old’ at 34 by professional football standards, seems to have found the fountain of youth this offseason because of the impression he made on his teammates recently. .

I feel better physically than when I was the best player in the leaguehe assured, he will start his first season in Argos in 2022, but his ninth in the CFL.

I don’t know if I’m getting older or not, but I feel like I’m back, healthy and fresh. I’m ready to show them all what Fast B more can be done.

For defensive lineman Ja’Gared Davis, also a newcomer to the Argonauts from Hamilton, Banks and Harris ’service could still be great.

As you can see (Tom) Brady is still playing, at almost 45, and he’s in the top 2 in his position so age is literally just a number. It all depends on your passion and dedication to the sport.

And for the main interested party, the love his new football teammates have was enough to convince him, even before the season launches for the Torontonians.

Kicker Boris Bede admitted he had his doubts at first about including these star players in the Toronto squad, but he was also quickly convinced.

I wondered how these people would get there, how they would fit into the culture we have in Toronto and honestly, they did it without a problem and they are part of the team and we really look forward to seeing them. perform now!

Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie has confirmed that McLeod Bethel-Thompson will enter his second season managing the Argonauts offense under his command. Chad Kelly will help him.

In terms of injuries, center Peter Nicastro and receivers Eric Rogers and Juwan Brescacin will surely miss the start of the season. Defensive back Chris Edwards will also miss his team’s first games due to the CFL’s suspension on his role in a fan fight following last year’s Eastern Finals.

The Argonauts will host the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday at 7:30 pm at BMO field of Toronto. The Quebec metropolitan team lost to the Calgary Stampeders 30-27 in the first game of this season on Thursday.