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The question that is asked most often at Argos camp surrounds the quarterback: When is Ricky Ray coming back?

The answer to that question is unknown. It all depends the recovery time of Ray, who underwent rotator cuff surgery in November, the estimates of which vary from two to six weeks depending on who you ask.

The conversation basically ends there because, unless something dramatic happens, Trevor Harris will take the reins until Ray is given the thumbs up to return to action.

The more challenging question surrounds the Argos' Canadian talent. They have several options on who to start and at which positions.

On the offensive line, the Double Blue could start either three or four Nationals. Jeff Keeping will be the centre and Tyler Holmes will be the left guard - that's penned in on the depth chart.  The options then become intriguing.

Will Chris Van Zeyl play right guard or right tackle? If he plays tackle, does Wayne Smith start at guard? Do they want a second International on the right side, joining whomever wins the battle for left tackle? They also have depth with returnees Matt Sewell and Jas Dhillon, who will concentrate on playing the guard position this year.

The truth is, we don't know at this stage if they go with three or four Canadian hoggies.

The Argos, theoretically, could start three more Canadians on offence. Andre Durie will start for sure at at the 'R' receiver spot, that much is certain. Then the guessing game begins for the other spots.

The plan is to get Anthony Coombs involved more. The third-overall pick in the 2014 draft has made the conversion from running back to receiver look relatively easy. He's been backing up Durie in practice, primarily because that's the toughest receiver spot to learn.

They also have the option of playing him at tailback in some situations, a position he's very familiar with, but he's worked hard to become a better receiver.

"I'm really comfortable at receiver," said the University of Manitoba product. "I really focused this off season on my route-running and it's showing. I'm way more comfortable out there, so that's a good feeling."

Head coach Scott Milanovich also knows it's important to get Coombs involved at receiver or running back.

"We're going to find a way to get him on the field," the coach said following practice. "That's the plan right now. He's just too good of a football player."

The coach added that he's told Coombs to also learn the 'Z' receiver spot, a position held last year by Spencer Watt.

General manager Jim Barker agrees that he's not sure where he'll see Coombs on the field, he just knows he'll be out there.

"I think you're going to see him all over the place," Barker told TSN.ca. "I think you'll see him some at tailback, I think you're going to see him some at wide receiver, I think you'll see him sometimes in the 'R' spot (in relief of Durie)."

"He needs to be on the field," continued the GM. "He is a playmaker, he's just so much better having the year under his belt."

The third option - albeit a longshot - is that Durie could play the 'R', Coombs could play some running back and third-year receiver Natey Adjei could play the 'Z.'

That's highly unlikely, as Adjei is being groomed to replace the recently retired Mike Bradwell, who was versatile enough to play any of the receiver positions.

In all probability, the Argos will start either four or five Canadians on offence, depending on what they decide to do on the offensive line. In theory though, they could start seven on offence alone.

Then, there's the defensive side of the ball.

There are two players who should be on the field for every down. Jermaine Gabriel will once again start at safety, while Cory Greenwood will be the middle linebacker replacing Shea Emry.

Greenwood will be backed up by a couple of Canadians: James Yurichuk and Thomas Miles.

Now the games begin.

Ricky Foley, acquired from Saskatchewan for Emry, will look to be his usual disruptive self at defensive end. His backup will be Daryl Waud, the 2015 second-round pick who just returned from the Washington Redskins mini camp.

They have the luxury of using one of those two every down or giving them a breather with an American.

Cleyon Laing was also expected to be along the defensive line, but he hasn't yet reported to camp. When he returns, he immediately increases the club's flexibility in the ratio.

The wild card in this is former safety Matt Black. He's being considered for the field corner position, due primarily to the Argos' depth. They recently signed former B.C. Lion Matt McGarva, who can back up Gabriel should Black be used as a starting corner.

If that's the case, Black can have third-year player Shane Herbert behind him, again showing off the Canadian depth.

Potentially, the Argos could start seven on offence and five on defence. That won't be the case, but the depth at least gives them many, many options to contemplate as camp progresses and, inevitably, as injuries occur.

So how many does Milanovich envision in the starting lineup?

"I would like to play eight," confessed the coach. "I don't know if we'll go to nine. The injuries usually take care of that for you, but I prefer to go heavy (more than the required seven), then you have to make less changes if you get an injury or two."

There's an old axiom in the CFL that you're only as good as your Canadian talent. If that's the case, the Argonauts are in a pretty good spot to begin the season.

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Argonotes:

It was Day Two of the Cleyon Laing holdout. Milanovic didn't mince words when talking about him. "We won't spend 30 seconds crying about it. He ain't here right now and there's 75 guys that are."...There's an interesting battle for the SAM linebacker position featuring returnee Matt Ware, who added some 15 pounds of muscle, and Brandon Isaac, who was out of the league last year...Receiver Jarred Fayson was helped off the field with an apparent left leg injury...A.J. Jefferson stood out on Monday and not just because he was wearing fluorescent shoes. He'll be considered for the boundary corner position...Receiver Diontae Spencer will be given every opportunity to win the job as the primary returner....The Argos are thrilled that defensive lineman Dontay Moch has finally made it north. He's been on the club's negotiation list for three years.