Meet the new Toronto Argonauts: Williams, Orimolade and Pickett excited to join champions

GUELPH, Ont., — When Michael “Pinball” Clemons returned to the Toronto Argonauts back in 2019, he had many goals for the team. None were more important than establishing a sustainable winning culture.

Winning a Grey Cup in 2022 was further justification that the Argonauts are on the right path as an organization but the last thing the team wants to do is be satisfied with one championship. It’s all about maintaining consistency which was a problem for Toronto prior to Clemons taking over.

Now with training camp well underway at Alumni Stadium in Guelph, Ont., the team is working away to integrate some of the new players brought in this off-season.

Looking at some of the additions, departures and those remaining with the team, most of the new faces will come on defence. Gone are players like JaGared Davis, Chris Edwards, Shaq Richardson and Jamal Peters who were key contributors but as has become routine in the CFL, teams have to constantly find ways to replace players.

Among the new faces in camp are players that should be expected to help fill in some of the important holes on defence.

Trading for Jordan Williams certainly came as a surprise and now he joins a prominent linebacker group that already had Wynton McManis and Henoc Muamba leading the charge. The first few days of camp for Williams have been about learning the new schemes and establishing his role within the defence with his ability to play all over the field being a welcomed addition.

“In this game of football, the more you can do like dropping into coverage, blitzing the quarterback, making tackles. If you can do all three you're going to be on the field,” Williams explained.

Keeping an open ear has also been important for the 28-year-old who has made it a point to soak in all the advice Muamba and McManis have offered him during drills.

When it comes to establishing his voice as a leader, Williams is letting his actions on and off the field do the talking.

“We have our leaders over here you know with Henoc and the other guys but in a position room, breaking down the linebackers, start from there from a small group and then get guys to respect you with your game on the field and your play.”

”Tomorrow's a mystery and yesterday is history. So don't dwell on the last year's championship. This is a new year and let's just go from there.”

Also among the new additions is Adarius Pickett who couldn’t wait to get on the field with his new team. The 26-year-old signed with the Argos after two seasons with the Montreal Alouettes where he registered four sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and 73 tackles in 2022.

What made Toronto’s defence an attractive option for him?

“They do a good job of taking the ball away, leading in interceptions last year. When I was in conversation with them, they were talking about me allowing me to be me,” Pickett said. “That's playing versatile football, playing hard-nosed football, physical football, but also allow me to try to get the ball. So this is where I feel like I fit perfectly in this scheme.”

Pickett has seen first-hand what this defensive unit is capable of and says there has been mutual respect shared when he got a chance to talk with players after the game.

Now he looks to help the defence take the next step and believes there is the potential for this group to achieve more with the foundation already established through communication and physicality.

“One thing that I feel like is being preached to us is making sure we score on defence,” Pickett said. “They did a great job of taking the ball away, but we feel like we can do a better job. From watching film last year, there were some missed opportunities when we were able to take the ball away and capitalise on those opportunities. And then when you do take the ball away, go score.”

Another new face but a familiar one to the coaching staff is Folarin Orimolade who signed in Toronto after four seasons with the Calgary Stampeders. According to 3DownNation, Orimolade was signed to a two-year deal that made him the highest-paid defensive end in the CFL.

He was rewarded for a breakout season in 2022 where he had 37 tackles six sacks, one forced fumble and a pick-six. He also had six tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble in Calgary’s loss in the semifinal against the B.C. Lions.

What stood out watching Orimolade (also known as Flo by his teammates) in drills was his speed which makes him a handful to contain. He will be asked to take over for a couple of veterans who departed this past off-season in Davis and Shane Ray which is certainly no easy task.

He certainly has the mindset and ability to do so.

“I think it all starts with the first step, get a good get off and you can kind of have your choice of what you want to do,” Orimolade said about what makes a good pass rusher in the CFL.

Fortunately, there is familiarity with the coaching staff including defensive coordinator Corey Mace who coached Orimolade in Calgary.

What is Orimolade personal goal heading into the season?

“I want to be Player of the Year,” he said. “I'm never gonna do stuff outside of the scheme. Whether you put extra attention on me and that frees someone else up, or they give me one-on-one matchups, I have to win them.”

His main motivation for signing in Toronto was also to help the Argonauts build a dynasty. He saw firsthand what it takes to establish that standard during his time with the Stampeders who have been the model of consistency.

It’s a model the Argos want to follow and this season will definitely test the team’s ability to raise their level once again.