O’Leary: Bethel-Thompson will only benefit from Carter’s arrival
McLeod Bethel-Thompson has a new teammate that he was kind of teammates with once before.
“I think he was in rookie camp when I was with the Vikings,” the Toronto Argonauts’ starter said on Tuesday, a day after Duron Carter met his new teammates and the media.
“But I wasn’t in rookie camp. I don’t know much about him.”
It might be better that way. Bethel-Thompson isn’t concerned about what others have to say about Carter or why he’s on to his third CFL team since 2013. He’s focused on the present and the culture that his coach, Marc Trestman, has been building since he arrived in Toronto in 2017.
“(Trestman) always says that every great football player that he’s been around wanted a structure. So the structure in the Toronto Argonauts’ locker room is very evident. That’s set,” he said.
“We’re allowed to be ourselves within that framework but you’ve got to stay within that box. And that box is important to Marc Trestman. It’s his structure and his way of being and…he’s the head coach so he gets to dictate that.
“Definitely, there’s space for everybody to be everybody but we have to operate within that Argo way and we have to put the team first and know that the goal is to want it for the man next to you more than you want it for yourself.”
MORE ON DURON IN T.O.
» Ready to Work: Duron set to earn his spot with Argos
» O’Leary: Timing is right for Argos, Carter
» Analysis: Toronto the right fit for Carter says Sanchez
» Watch: Teammates willing to give Carter his shot in Toronto
» Argos officially land Carter
Bethel-Thompson only had a quick hello with Carter on Monday, when the team held a short walkthrough in lieu of a practice. The Argos aren’t in action again until Labour Day, when they travel to Hamilton to face the Tiger-Cats. Now in his second season with the Argos, Bethel-Thompson said the team is an easy one to find a fit with.
“With those guys? It’s incredible. The level of man and the level of person in that locker room is bar none the best,” he said. “I wish people could see more of that. It’s great people striving for common goals. And that’s powerful.”
The Argos have missed the presence of DeVier Posey, who is currently in training camp with the Baltimore Ravens. A two-time CFL all-star (2014 and 2017), Carter has the ability to shake up an offence that has struggled at times while the team has endured its 3-6 start.
“I really like the receivers I’m throwing to,” Bethel-Thompson said. “I have no complaints about them. They make me look good on a daily basis.
“I have to worry about throwing a better football. I had four or five misses in the last game that are unacceptable, in my opinion, I should never miss those.
“I want to see him in-person and see how he operates. If he’s…a talented one and gets out there, you can never have too many good receivers.”
In three starts, Bethel-Thompson has made 69 of 103 passes for 858 yards with six touchdowns and one interception. He’s 2-1, coming off of a loss to the Montreal Alouettes last week.
S.J. Green leads the team in receiving, with 472 yards and two touchdowns. Armanti Edwards is right behind him with 424 yards. Both players have two touchdowns. The Argos are seventh in passing yards, with 2,132 (236.9 yards per game).
