Veteran quarterback Ricky Ray fulfilling Trestman’s pre-season faith in him
TORONTO — The day he became the Toronto Argonauts head coach, Marc Trestman went out on a limb and endorsed Ricky Ray as his starter.
It was a bold move considering injuries had limited Ray to just 12 games combined the previous two seasons and Trestman was returning to Canada following four seasons in the NFL. But the 38-year-old has more than fulfilled Trestman’s faith, making 17 regular-season starts in leading Toronto (9-9) atop the East Division and to within a win of its first championship appearance since winning the historic 100th Grey Cup at Rogers Centre in 2012.
“I try to (repay Trestman’s faith) every day and hopefully I’ve repaid it a little bit,” Ray said. “You always want to know your situation and for me going into last off-season I really didn’t know what mine was and to have Marc, who’d never coached me before, give me that vote of confidence was big for my confidence.
“It’s much easier to play this game when you feel like the people around you believe in you and that’s what it’s been for me this year. He’s done a great job of coaching me up and making me feel confident as a player out there.”