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New Argos coach Trestman: 'Ricky Ray will be our QB'

Dave Sandford / Getty

One thing was for certain during the Toronto Argonauts introductory press conference for general manager Jim Popp and head coach Marc Trestman, future Hall of Fame quarterback Ricky Ray will be the starter.

"He will come in here as the starting quarterback, there'll be no competition," Trestman said, after speaking with Ray last week.

Ray has played just 12 games over the last two seasons, highlighted by a career low three in 2015 due to offseason shoulder surgery. Since being traded to Toronto in 2012, Ray has only played in 53 out of a possible 90 games, after missing just eight games in nine seasons with Edmonton.

Last season, Ray was hampered by knee, lung, and rib injuries, limiting him to nine games, but that hasn't deterred Trestman from tabbing Ray as his quarterback.

"There is no competition starting out," Trestman said. "Ricky Ray will be our quarterback until he shows us he can't be. He brings hope to all of us if he's healthy. He's done it (before). He's a great leader in this locker room."

Ray led the Argonauts to a Grey Cup in 2012, his first season in Toronto.

Last year, with Ray sidelined, Logan Kilgore threw nine interceptions in two-plus games, while Dan LeFevor wasn't much better as his replacement, holding a six-six touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Former GM Jim Barker then traded a first-round pick in the 2017 CFL Draft for Winnipeg quarterback Drew Willy, who threw for 681 yards, three touchdowns, and one interceptions in four games with Toronto.

Trestman said he's spoken at length with Willy and in the event Ray is somehow not able to play, he'll be the starter.

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