Just four days into training camp, it still seems a little strange to see James Franklin in the colours of the Toronto Argonauts.
It seems especially strange in the preseason, when Franklin wears the orange non-contact jersey that’s supposed to keep quarterbacks out of harm’s way. It’s a marked change from the gold one he wore the last three years with the Edmonton Eskimos. You look around him at York University, the sun beating down on the field on a 28-degree day, and everything is different for him.
The Argos spent the day doing special teams work and the 26-year-old Franklin wanted to get some throws in. He and second-year receiver Chandler Worthy — another player hungry to carve a name out for himself this season — are the last two off of the field.
Franklin makes his way to the sideline and lifts the facemask from his helmet up, propping his helmet on his head. The most coveted backup quarterback in the league last year, Franklin signed with the Argos in January after GM Jim Popp traded for his rights, getting him into a two-year deal before he hit free agency.
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Franklin is competing for the backup role behind Ricky Ray during camp this year (Argonauts.ca)
“It’s kind of hard to explain. It’s just different,” Franklin said of his start with a new team.
“I’m trying to get adjusted to it and trying to figure out how I can make (training camp) help me just improve a little bit, or a lot, however much. Just try to take the best that I can from it.”
Franklin’s career numbers aren’t gaudy — 116-176 passes for 1,449 yards and 12 touchdowns; the cost of backing up do-it-all QB Mike Reilly — but his talent is undeniable. Since he signed with the Argos, coach Marc Trestman has made it clear over the last few months that Ricky Ray will be the starter this season and that Franklin would have to earn the backup job.
It’s still far too early to make depth chart declarations. Trestman said everyone is working their way through the early portion of the preseason.
“He’s handling himself well. He’s managing the huddle, he’s managing the team when he’s out there,” Trestman said. “McLeod (Bethel-Thompson has) had a great camp when he’s out there and I’m excited to see him go head-to-head over the next few weeks.”
Despite the familiarity with the league that three seasons will bring, Franklin is in many ways starting over again. His teammates and coaches are new faces. That means he has to build trust and chemistry with everyone. He and Trestman began working on their relationship over the winter. The two met up in Toronto and poured over film at the Argos’ facility in Etobicoke.
“We went over the games I got to play against (Toronto) in 2016 and just kind of what I saw,” Franklin said. “Trying to go over mental errors, critical errors, protecting the ball, what it means to be a quarterback in the system that he has and what he believes helps make and develop a quarterback. We looked at some other team’s defences and took some notes.”
After three seasons in Edmonton, Franklin sports new colours in Toronto (Argonauts.ca)
They also went for dinner in Toronto to talk about what the team was last year and what they hope to be this year.
Through the winter, the Argos’ mini-camp in Florida and now at York this week, Franklin is starting to get a better feel for what his coach is about. Some of it feels familiar.
“(Trestman) does a good job with the guys, trying to incorporate (the idea of) making other people’s day,” he said. “Going out of your way to tell someone thank you, especially the people working in the cafeteria, the equipment guys, everyone is equally important.
“He talks about how as a team we want to get to know each other, take care of each other and respect each other. It’s kind of funny, a lot of things are similar to how my parents raised me, as far as caring about other people and looking out for their best interests. I do like that part, as far as getting to know the other guys better.”
A new team is an adjustment, football-wise, but the surroundings of the Argos’ camp at York are a drastic swing from Franklin’s day-to-day routine.
While he’s in a single room in the York dorms, sharing communal washrooms and showers with his teammates, his wife, Kaylee and their 11-week-old daughter, Adelynn Rae, are at the home they moved into in Brampton over the winter. For now, there’s FaceTime and maybe some quick visits over the next few weeks.
His day of work complete, Franklin tugged his facemask back down, walked back toward the Argos’ temporary locker room and disappeared between the bleachers.
