A healthy-at-last John White already comfortable as Argos’ new featured running back – Toronto Sun

John White is beginning to feel at home in his new surroundings as an Argo.

The veteran tailback is getting his feet wet, as he likes to describe training camp life at the University of Guelph, learning an offence featuring concepts he has some familiarity with.

During his journey in three-down football, White has worked previously with assistant coaches Jarious Jackson and Stephen McAdoo, two of the newest additions to Ryan Dinwiddie’s staff with the Argos.

That connection has made the transition easier for White, who produced his first-career 1,000-yard season in 2019 when he played for the B.C. Lions.

During the 2019 campaign, two of his 100-yard rushing games were against the Argos.

When Toronto’s new management team took over from the ashes of back-to-back four-win seasons, sweeping changes were made in virtually all areas.

One was the backfield.

White has endured his share of setbacks, having recovered from knee and Achilles injuries.

When the CFL last played a season in 2019, White appeared in a career-high 16 games.

He’s not exactly as elusive as Michael Clemons, but like Clemons, Toronto’s new GM, White can run out of the backfield, can be used as a receiver and he can also block.

“It’s going great,” said White of camp. “I’m feeling good.”

As long as he continues to feel good, the Argos should as well with a healthy White in the fold.

He has played 64 games during his CFL career with stops in Edmonton, Hamilton and B.C.

White has persevered and was inspired by the late Kobe Bryant after the Black Mamba defied all odds by bouncing back from a torn Achilles tendon.

White lives in L.A., and will sport the No. 8 jersey in honour of Bryant.

“I was never a Kobe fan at the beginning,” said White. “But that Mamba mentality grew on me. I’m a big Kobe Bryant fan. I have all his rookie cards and everything.”

Everyone at Guelph has treated White with the respect he deserves and has earned.

Given the many obstacles he has overcome, he is appreciative of the moment and pleased how all the many news pieces at camp have meshed.

“They’ve all been very inviting,” he said. “They’ve welcome me with open arms and there’s great camaraderie.

“That’s always a big key when you’re in training camp … Following a long break (from football) I’m just happy to be back in it.”

Physically, White is feeling as good as he’s ever felt.

“I’m refreshed,” he added. “I feel I haven’t hit my ceiling yet. I feel like I’m working my way in there. Right now, I’m feeling really good.”

White is by far the most experienced and seasoned running back in camp.

“He’s our guy,” said Dinwiddie.

A.J. Ouellette is the only other American running back with any kind of CFL experience, having joined the Argos late in 2019 and was the team’s starter in the two final games.

“I’m loving the offence,” White said. “I’m moving fast and I’m just trying to work my way in with these reps because I came out late initially (following the different health and safety protocols). I’m working my way in.”

Having Clemons around has been beneficial.

“Every day, Pinball is telling me: ‘I trust you, you’re doing great,’” he said.

“It’s just a great place to be when everyone is making you feel like home.”

While it’s not home and White misses his wife and daughter, the environment created by the Argos is close to feeling at home.

NICK OF TIME

QB Nick Arbuckle was back in the saddle on Wednesday.

For precautionary reasons, Dinwiddie kept Arbuckle, who had been nursing a hamstring injury, out of Monday’s intrasquad game.

“It was a minor tweak,” said Dinwiddie. “Everyone has a ding and we’ll give them a mental day (off) to get their physical therapy done and make sure they’re healthy.

“He was out there (Wednesday) and he looked great.”

PAPA WILLIS IN-WAITING

Odell Willis isn’t expected to join the Argos right away.

His wife is due and Dinwiddie is big on family, having experienced the birth of two boys in recent years, including his second child a few months ago.

“We felt it was better for him to say home,” said Dinwiddie of the veteran rush end. “Family first, football is second. He wanted to be there.”

POOLE PRIMED

Newly acquired OT Terry Poole is in Guelph. He’ll have to first quarantine before he can practise with his new teammates following his trade from Winnipeg on Tuesday.

The Argos sent the Blue Bombers veteran DB Alden Darby Jr. to acquire the 6-foot-5 Poole.

Darby’s teammate at Arizona State was running back D.J. Foster, whom the Argos signed earlier in the week.

“He flew up that day,” said Dinwiddie of Foster, who played 23 games for the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals. “We’ll see him in a few days.”

Foster won a Super Bowl with New England in 2016 when he signed as an undrafted free agent.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com