MISSISSAUGA -- While many Toronto Argonauts are auditioning for jobs in Wednesday's pre-season opener against the Montreal Alouettes, one position battle has been solved before an exhibition game has even been played.

Argos head coach Bart Andrus revealed Monday that Jamal Robertson has emerged as the team's starting tailback more than a week into training camp.

"It's safe to say he's going to be the guy we're going to start the season with and start these next two (exhibition) games with," Andrus said following the Argos morning practice session. "And from there we need to find a guy. We need to get a guy in there of taking the load of being a back-up and play special teams for us. I anticipate it will start to clear up after the first game and going into the second pre-season game."

The two lead candidates behind Robertson, a second-year Argo, in Toronto's backfield are Tyler Ebell and Jarrett Payton.

"I just want to continue doing what I'm doing," said Robertson, an NFL journeyman before arriving in the CFL last year. "I'm trying to go a full season and playoffs, so I'm trying to get my body ready for that."

Robertson started seven games for Toronto last year after being acquired by the club in a pre-season trade with Saskatchewan. He rushed for 645 yards and six touchdowns, while also catching 27 balls for 271 yards and a touchdown. The 32-year-old also has experience handling kickoff returns, an important intangible for the Argos who need to replace 2008 CFL special teams player of the year award winner Dominique Dorsey.

"We want to be known that we'll get it done out of the backfield. Try and stop us," Robertson said.

With Mike Vanderjagt gone, the Argonauts’ punting and kicking duties will be assigned based on performance in the two exhibition contests. Imports Eddie Johnson and Justin Medlock are vying for that spot on the roster.

"They're running neck and neck right now and I think the difference will be performance in pre-season games," Andrus said. "These are going to be two big games for them because we need to see how they perform once we get in a game situation."

It is highly unlikely the Argonauts can keep both Americans due to the ratio and roster size.