Spergon Wynn expected to be Damon Allen’s backup and ultimately his replacement with the B.C. Lions.
That was in 2003, after the Southwest Texas State product had signed with the Leos following three seasons in the NFL, one with Cleveland and two with Minnesota.
Now, three years later, the big-boned quarterback from Houston is hoping to finally fulfill that role with the Argonauts.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder was obtained by the Argos from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last month for backup defensive back Mike Crumb.
He’ll be competing with newly signed former Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch and holdover Charlie Peterson for the backup job behind Allen.
Taking a spring break from classes where he’s completing his degree in marketing, Wynn, 27, spent an hour yesterday under the Oakville Sports Complex dome throwing to Argo receivers Tony Miles and Keith Stokes under offensive coordinator Kent Austin’s critical eye.
“He looked good,” said Austin “He’s a guy who’s technically very proficient. He’s a big, strong guy. He’s got a great arm and he’s very coachable.”
With accolades of that kind flowing from Austin, the question is: Why hasn’t Wynn been able to become a starter?
“Sometimes a guy just needs a chance to play consistently, not spot play,” said Austin.
In B.C., after Allen was traded to the Argos on the eve of the 2003 season, Wynn was injured when starter Dave Dickenson went down. An unknown fill-in named Casey Printers, who was the No.3 quarterback, got the opportunity to play and ended up being named the CFL’s outstanding player.
Wynn was traded to Winnipeg after the 2004 season and, while the Bombers’ quarterbacking situation was far from stable, Wynn was unable to win the starter’s job. He wound up No.3 on the depth chart.
Wynn said he doesn’t dwell on why he hasn’t found success as a starter in the CFL.
“I don’t really wonder about stuff like that,” he said. "I don’t think it was anything physical. I feel I have good skills, a strong arm and I can pick up offences quickly and make the reads.
“So I think it was just a coaching decision. It’s happened to better players than me, so I can’t complain.”
He said he’d rather concentrate on taking advantage of learning from a pair of CFL-savvy veterans in Allen and Austin.
“I’ll be playing behind a guy (Allen) who I can watch and learn from and also be coached by a guy (Austin) who’s done it all and can actually instruct you and tell you what you’re doing wrong,” said Wynn, who conceded he was surprised by the trade from Winnipeg in view of the Bombers’ uncertainty at quarterback.
“But a pleasant surprise,” he said.
