Argonauts serving up new specials: Steven Turner & Grant Shaw

TORONTO – It’s a part of the game that is often over looked, but this season it may become one of the most crucial components in turning the Argos in the right direction.

Training Camp 2010

The special teams unit was far from special last season, especially in the return game, but with the off-season additions, and a new mindset from the sidelines, things are looking up.

Firstly, the return game, where last year it seemed as though the revolving door of applicants never stopped spinning. When the season came to a close, the Argos had used a total of eight kick returners, and only toward the final stages of the season did RB/SB Andre Durie emerge as the most consistent choice.

Of the players who had at least 30 returns last season in the CFL, Durie finished second in average yards per return with 24.0. Heading into camp on June 6, Durie is expected to compete for the dubious position with the shifty Amos Allen, and the team’s fourth round selection, and E-Camp 40-yard dash record holder, Steven Turner.

It is on the defensive side of special teams that the Argos’ new special teams coordinator, and former CFL and Argos great, Mike O’Shea will make the most impact. Throughout his playing career, O’Shea was renowned for his efforts on special teams, and he assuredly will translate that mentality to his players now that he is on the other side of the clipboard. Special teams stalwarts like RB Bryan Crawford, LB Ray Fontaine and LB James Green will have to lead the way, again.

With the departure of K/P Justin Medlock to the NFL’s Washington Redskins, and the recent release of P/K Eddie Johnson, the kicking position for the Double Blue will see some new faces try and fill some big shoes. Part of the Argos’ busy draft day included the acquisition of P Jamie Boreham, a Vancouver native who has spent the last three seasons kicking for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Boreham brings a solid punting presence to the Argonauts’ special teams unit, which was an anomaly in itself last season. As far as field goal kicking is concerned, former Northern Arizona product P/K Robbie DeHaze will get a shot along with the Argos’ eleventh overall pick in 2010, LB/K Grant Shaw, who kicked the longest field goal in the CIS last season from 55 yards out while playing at the University of Saskatchewan.

June 03, 2010

Adam Orrico
Argonauts.ca