Toronto Argonauts head coach Jim Barker has a word with quarterback Cleo Lemon during the second quarter of the CFL Eastern Final Sunday November 21, 2010 in Montreal. The Alouettes beat the Argos 48-17 to move on the the Grey Cup Final.Paul Chiasson
The car - a 1968 Buick Skylark - was parked in front of the Toronto Argonauts practice facility Monday, as the players went through the monotonous task of clearing out their lockers for the final time this CFL season.
The "pride and joy" of defensive end Ricky Foley, the vintage muscle car was garnering just a little bit of attention, much to the consternation of one of the team's media-relations types who had to issue a warning to steer clear of Foley's ride.
If only the Argos could have thrown up as effective a protective cocoon around quarterback Cleo Lemon this year.
With Toronto's season coming to an inglorious end last Sunday in Montreal - a 48-17 thumping at the hands of the Alouettes in the East Division final - the debate has renewed about Lemon's future role. And it is easy to point the finger of blame towards the 31-year-old CFL rookie who once again looked out of place directing the offence.
Lemon was only good on 11 of 21 passes for 169 yards and two interceptions - Anthony Calvillo, the veteran Montreal quarterback, threw for 212 yards in the first half alone - hardly the type of offensive prowess that is going to cut it in the pass-happy CFL.
Toronto head coach Jim Barker has been a staunch defender of Lemon, but he did allow Monday that he is not necessarily guaranteed No. 1 status heading into next season.
"I imagine there'll be competition" at training camp, Barker said. "He's the starting quarterback now. As the off-season rolls, that's going to change as we go through and evaluate and look at the season as a whole.
"But I can guarantee you we're going the put the people on the field that we feel are best suited to help us win football games."
Barker said that while he saw development in Lemon over the course of the season, it wasn't all encompassing.
"I saw progression in certain aspects and then there were certain aspects where, obviously, he never got good enough at," Barker said. "Those kinds of things, those are the decisions we have to make - can he make those kinds of changes that need to be made to be able to be successful."
Lemon termed the 2010 season a tremendous learning experience for him and that it can only help his confidence for next season.
"I want to be here," he said. "This is where I want to be. I feel like I'm the leader of this team and I want to lead this team to a Grey Cup."
Argos running back Cory Boyd, who had to be helped off the field after absorbing a hit on the first play of the fourth quarter, was walking gingerly Monday. The 1,000-yard rusher said it was nothing more than a hip-pointer that some rest and relaxation should cure.
Barker said he continues to have faith in the team he put together and directed to a 9-9 finish - a big improvement over the 3-15 bust a year earlier under former coach Bart Andrus.
The big question surrounding Barker is what job capacity he will have next season.
Rumours continue to persist that general manager Adam Rita - who was not at Monday's final team gathering - will not be back and Barker will add that title to his portfolio.
"I think it's possible," Barker said when asked if both jobs can be handled by one man. "I think you look at two of the more successful people in Wally Buono [B.C. Lions]and John Hufnagel [Calgary Stampeders] "I'm one of the few people that has coached and been a general manager - not at the same time, but it's something that's possible.
"Those are decisions that are to be made by people above me."