The first decision made by the Argos’s new front office leadership was to name their on-field leader. In a move that surprised many Marc Trestman named Ricky Ray the incumbent starter for the 2017 season. The decision was communicated to Drew Willy who ended this season as Ray’s backup for the final two games. As Trestman told me after his introductory press conference Tuesday, Ray is “flying the plane” and the decision was made based on Ray’s winning pedigree and to set a culture in the locker room, even though he has never seen Drew Willy throw a ball.
That decision immediately put Ray back in the spotlight after a year in which he played in just nine games. In 2015 Ray was only healthy enough to play in three games. However, when he has been upright and healthy enough to suit up he has been effective. Ray completed 74.5 per cent of his passes a year ago with just six interceptions to his 15 TD passes, good enough for a 106.1 QB efficiency rating. In fact, Ray has had a completion percentage over 70 per cent in every season since 2003 and led the league in completion percentage for qualified passers. Naturally there is interest to see what the marriage of the QB whisperer Trestman and the first ballot Hall-of-Famer Ray can do together.
On Thursday, Ray spent time to answer media inquiries on being named the starter and his decision to continue his storied career. Here are the takeaways from his availability.
Ray on his reaction to being named starter by Marc Trestman:
“I spoke to Marc before the announcement and we had a really good conversation. I’m just thankful for the opportunity he’s given me. I’m excited to work with him, he’s coached some great quarterbacks in a bunch of different leagues. [After] everything I’ve heard about him and playing against him in Montreal, I’m looking forward to being under his guidance. I’m definitely really excited and looking forward to this opportunity.”
Ray on Trestman’s success with quarterbacks:
“Obviously, I’m going to find that out first-hand here. Scott brought the same system over and a lot of the same philosophies that he got from Marc with coaching the quarterback. It’s a system that’s quarterback-friendly and they do a great job of coaching us up and putting us in good situations, good positions to go out there and be successful, playing to your strengths and all that stuff. I assume it’s going to be pretty similar in that sense. That’s why I’m looking forward to being able to work with him. Not just because of who he’s coached with before but because it’s going to be a similar transition. It’s not like I’m going to be learning a whole new playbook or trying to get adjusted to a whole new philosophy of doing things. They’re going to be pretty similar so I’m looking forward to learning from him and his take on the system, and how he coaches quarterbacks.”
Ray’s mindset now that he is the starter:
“It definitely changes. Obviously, you’re working hard and trying to get yourself ready to be the best football player you can be. Definitely going into training camp knowing where you stand allows you to focus in a bit tighter on what your job is. It’s nice to have the confidence of the coach off the bat. To go in there and have the first opportunity to prove myself to him and the team. It just allows you to focus in a bit tighter on where you stand with the football team and you don’t have to deal with uncertainty and not really knowing what your opportunity will be or would your role could be. I’m definitely thankful that I do have this situation going into training camp.”
Ray on the possibility of retirement:
“No, no it wasn’t. There were times at the end of last season where I was unsure because of how the season was going and dealing with a couple setbacks. I thought this would be the first off-season where I’d really have to see how I felt. I never really had those feelings of not wanting to do it anymore; every feeling I had was wanting to play. I still love playing the game and still have the drive and desire. For me, it was never in doubt. I’m excited to be able to step into this opportunity and to learn with the new coaching staff, and to try to get better as player and help with my team.”
Ray on his lack of health in 2016:
I’ve been frustrated with how my arm has felt the last couple years, recovering from the surgery. I’ve had some bad days at practice and some bad games. The thing is that it’s continuing to improve as time goes by and that’s what is exciting for me. It should be even better than it was last year. Playing those last two games at the end of the year – getting back in there and seeing how my body felt – definitely helped me out going into the off-season, being able to finish on a good note.
Ray on his current physical status:
“I’m feeling great. After last season, it took me a good month and a half to get recovered from the season with the couple of injuries that I had. I’m feeling great now. My workouts have been going really well, I’m really happy and pleased with where I’m at right now. Obviously there’s still a few months to keep it going but workouts have been going really well, and I’m excited about how I’m feeling. The last few off-seasons have been a little different for me, coming off the shoulder [surgery] and not having it feel as great as it can be. It’s getting better every year that I’ve gone past the surgery point. It’s gotten better and better, and this year’s no different. I can definitely tell how much better it feels this year than it even did last year, it’s definitely noticeable. That’s exciting for me too.”
