Edmonton Eskimos QB Ricky Ray traded to Toronto

TORONTO – Ricky Ray is heading East.

The Toronto Argonauts acquired the veteran quarterback from the Edmonton Eskimos for quarterback Steven Jyles, kicker Grant Shaw and the second overall selection in the 2012 CFL Canadian College Draft.

“Our mission since 2010 has been to build the Argos into a consistent and credible football team,” Argos general manager Jim Barker said in a statement. “This trade moves that process along and demonstrates our commitment to re-establishing Argos football in this city. While we gave up a lot, we felt it was important to be aggressive and go after what we needed.

“This trade is an investment by our organization in the future of the Double Blue and in its new on-field leader, Ricky Ray.”

Edmonton GM Eric Tillman said he didn’t enter the off-season intent on trading Ray. However, he added the Argos’ dogged pursuit of the veteran quarterback resulted in a deal that Tillman believes makes the Eskimos younger and improves their Canadian content.

“They were very aggressive,” Tillman said. “We were not looking to trade Ricky and were very reluctant to do so.”

But Jyles won’t be handed the Eskimos’ starting job. Tillman said Jyles will have to compete in training camp for the No. 1 position against veteran Kerry Joseph and youngsters Matt Nichols and Eric Ward.

Ray wasn’t immediately available for comment. The Argos will officially introduce their newest addition Wednesday morning in Toronto.

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The 32-year-old Ray had spent his entire nine-year CFL career with Edmonton, leading the Eskimos to two Grey Cup championships over that span.

“I would like to thank the Edmonton Eskimos and their fans for nine years of good memories and for giving me the opportunity to play for such a good organization and win a couple of championships,” Ray said. “While it’s tough to leave all the people who have helped me in my career, I’m excited to move forward, take the next step in my career and come to Toronto, an organization with a rich history and tradition where we will have another chance to win a Grey Cup.

“I look forward to working with Jim Barker and (head coach) Scott Milanovich, a young, good coach who helped Montreal win championships. I hope to win some more championships with these men and my new teammates in Toronto.”

The trade was Barker’s first since relinquishing head-coaching duties to concentrate on being Toronto’s full-time general manager. Barker hired Milanovich, the former Montreal Alouettes’ offensive co-ordinator, to assume the head coach’s job.

The acquisition of Ray gives Toronto a much better fit under centre for the type of offence Milanovich likes to run. Veteran quarterback Anthony Calvillo, very much a drop-back passer, anchored an Alouettes offensive unit that helped the team win consecutive Grey Cup titles in 2009 and ’10.

The six-foot-three, 210-pound Ray is a lot like Calvillo and more of a pure passer while Jyles’ best asset is his mobility and ability to use his feet to escape pressure or extend plays. Ray is one of the CFL’s top passers, having amassed over 40,000 career yards with a completion average of 66.8 per cent with 210 touchdowns and just 130 interceptions.

He also immediately improves a Toronto offence that struggled this year, finishing at or near the bottom of several offensive categories. And with the Argos hosting the 2012 Grey Cup – the 100th anniversary of the CFL’s title game – the club desperately needs to prove to its fan base that it will indeed contend for a championship.

Ray gives Toronto its first bona fide quarterback since veteran Damon Allen retired following the ’07 season. But he comes at a cost as Ray is one of the CFL’s highest-paid players, having multiple years remaining on a deal that reportedly pays him in the neighbourhood of $400,000 annually.

Ray finished third in CFL passing this season with 4,594 yards, registering 24 TD strikes against 11 interceptions as Edmonton finished tied with B.C. and Calgary for the CFL’s best record at 11-7.

Toronto had re-signed Jyles to a long-term deal earlier this month. The six-foot-one, 202-pound Jyles began his CFL career with Edmonton in 2006 before being traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders prior to the 2008 season.

He was traded to Toronto from Winnipeg in March 2011 but spent the first half of the season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

Jyles was the Argos’ starter for the second half of the season after incumbent Cleo Lemon was released. In eight starts, Jyles completed 124 of 218 passes for 1,430 yards with seven touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Toronto finished last in the East Division standings with a 6-12 record.