By Canadian Press

Kilgore next man up with Toronto Argonauts starter Ray on the mend

Jul 27, 2016 | 2:15 PM

TORONTO — It’s a drill Scott Milanovich has become very proficient at over his four-plus seasons as Toronto Argonauts head coach.

Logan Kilgore will start at quarterback Sunday when Toronto visits the Ottawa Redblacks. Kilgore replaces incumbent Ricky Ray, who’s out three-to-six weeks after suffering a knee injury in Monday night’s 30-17 home win over the Montreal Alouettes.

There’s no questioning the strength of Ray’s CFL resume, which features three Grey Cup wins — including leading Toronto to victory in 2012, his first season with the club. He also stands fourth all-time with 53,721 passing yards and is the most accurate passer in league history (67.8 completion percentage).

But Ray has battled injuries since being acquired from Edmonton in December 2011. Entering the 2016 campaign, Ray had missed 27 games with Toronto due to injury, including 15 last year recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.

Fortunately for the Argos, they’ve always had a solid stable of quality backup quarterbacks such as Zach Collaros (now with Hamilton), Jarious Jackson (Saskatchewan quarterbacks coach), Trevor Harris (Ottawa) and Mitchell Gale (Saskatchewan), and now Kilgore is ready to step in. Despite Ray’s injuries, Milanovich boasts a 41-36 coaching record with Toronto.

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“I’m frustrated for Ricky, he’s worked too hard,” Milanovich said. “I’m not upset, I’m not surprised, it (injuries to starters) is the way this league has been for a number of years now.

“That’s why Logan is here. The guys have faith in him, I have faith in him. We’ll try to put together a plan built around his talents and let him go to work and play well.”

Ray was injured when Montreal defensive lineman Vaughn Martin rolled up into his legs well after Ray thrown the ball. Milanovich said the Argos have discussed the matter with the CFL and it’s now in the league’s hands.

Milanovich said the key to formulating a successful gameplan with a backup is tweaking it to best suit the player’s abilities.

“We take into account their skillset, first and foremost,” Milanovich said. “All those guys are a little bit different and we try to do what they do well and build the system around them.

“Logan is maybe more in Trevor’s mould. He probably has a little better, little quicker arm while Trevor has a bit more mobility. Logan is a bit like Drew Brees (Kilgore’s New Orleans Saints teammate in ’14). He likes to drive the ball in the intermediate routes downfield and can throw the deep ball.”

Sunday’s game won’t be Kilgore’s first as the Argos starter as he opened both pre-season contests under centre. The 26-year-old spent 2015 on the practice roster and said his time in Toronto has taught him the value of taking mental reps during practice.

“It’s something I’ve heard echoed since pee wee football,” he said. “It didn’t mean anything until getting here where you’re standing right behind the play.

“You’re on film and you’re accountable . . . the only thing you’re not doing is releasing the ball. It’s clear to see if you don’t know what’s going on or if you’re not in-tuned to what the defence is doing.”

Another factor in Kilgore’s favour is both Milanovich and offensive co-ordinator Marcus Brady are former CFL quarterbacks

“When the head man was a quarterback, he knows what you’re going through,” Kilgore said. “He’s going to ride you, he’s going to expect the most out of you because he also played.

“It’s kind of a double-edged sword but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I really appreciate having a quarterback’s opinion on the offence.”

And another potential sounding board is Ray, who’s in his 14th CFL season. Kilgore said both Ray and Brees share similar traits.

“The biggest thing I got from Drew was his continuing to try and learn, try and expand his knowledge of the game,” Kilgore said. “I see the same in Ricky, no matter what the play is he wants to know why did the defence do this? Where can we attack them?

“You’re talking about two Hall of Fame guys that have been around the game along time that don’t have it figured out if you ask them. They do a great job of continuing to improve and I try to emulate that in my game.”

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press