Trestman: ‘Never underestimate the importance of a winning locker room’
Argonauts.ca
TORONTO — To Toronto Argonauts’ head coach Marc Trestman, Thursday night’s contest against the Montreal Alouettes wasn’t just a pre-season game. It was an opportunity for his club to get into the winning spirit even before the regular season gets started.
“We don’t look at it as only an exhibition game,” Trestman told reporters after his team’s 24-20 victory at BMO Field. “When guys go out and they’re fighting for each other physically and laying themselves on the line, it’s tough to say it’s an exhibition game.
“I know it doesn’t count as a win or loss in the standings but when guys are lining up against guys that want it as much as they do. I’ve told the guys, you can never underestimate the importance of a winning locker room.”
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Awkasi Owusu-Ansah runs on his way to scoring the Argos’ first defensive touchdown of the evening (The Canadian Press)
It was the Argonauts’ defence that stole the show on Thursday, even before the game had started. Newly-signed Bear Woods addressed the media for the first time on the sidelines while his new – and former – teammates warmed up ahead of the contest.
“Bear Woods is heading into a very competitive situation,” said Trestman, who also said Woods is expected to be in the starting line up when the regular season gets underway. “He’s a guy that we know what he’s done. We know what he’s accomplished. I had the opportunity to coach him and be around him. I know what he’s going to bring but he’s going to have to go in there and he’s going to have to practice this week and show he’s ready to play.”
Once the game began, two interceptions were returned for touchdowns – the first by Awkasi Owusu-Ansah, who picked off Vernon Adams Jr. and the second by Aaron Berry who intercepted Jacory Harris – helping lead the Argos to the aforementioned winning locker room.
“When the defence gets two scores,” Trestman said. “You probably have a pretty good chance to win.”
While all four Toronto quarterbacks – Ricky Ray, Jeff Mathews, Cody Fajardo and Drew Willy – saw playing time during the game, it was Fajardo who tossed the Argos’ first, and only, offensive touchdown of the night.
The 6-foot-5 pivot took no time to get into the game, airing out the ball as the third quarter came to a close, tossing a 37-yard pass to Jimmy Ralph. He connected with Ralph once more for the Argos’ first offensive major score of the night.
Fajardo finished the evening connecting on 9-of-11 passes for 86 yards and the touchdown and Toronto’s bench boss liked what he saw.
“He’s got a quiet mind,” said Trestman. “He plays smart. He has the ability to run and move around.”
“Cody’s been that way since we started with him at IMG,” he added. “He’s got great leadership skills and he’s got athleticism as well.”
The Argos will look to keep their winning locker room alive when they head to Hamilton to take on the Tiger-Cats next Friday.
