Argos' Bruce takes shot at QB Joseph
The Toronto Argonauts were in Winnipeg on Thursday without Arland Bruce, but that didn't stop the team's leading wide receiver from making waves.
The six-year veteran Bruce was told to stay home for Friday's game by Argos rookie head coach Bart Andrus for unprofessional conduct, a story first reported by the Globe and Mail on Wednesday.
The receiver later went on to tell the Globe in a subsequent conversation, "instead of worrying about me, [Andrus] needs to worry about getting the quarterback right and getting on his ass."
Quarterback Kerry Joseph took the high road at practice Thursday at Canad Inns Stadium in Winnipeg.
"Every man is entitled to his opinion," said Joseph. "I'm not going to let anybody steal my joy. No person or no situation. I'm going to keep smiling. I have a game to play so I only worry about that."
No stranger to trouble
Bruce has been fined four times by the team this season for several missteps, including failing to attend two special teams meetings, being late to an offensive meeting, playing his music too loud in the locker room and leaving his playbook on a plane after a flight to Calgary.
He was also fined by the league for his Michael Jackson tribute celebration.
"He's trying to make an example out of me, but he can take that back to NFL Europe or wherever he was coming from," said Bruce.
Argos general manager Adam Rita declined to comment.
Bruce said missing the Winnipeg game is especially tough because he enjoys returning to the city where he began his CFL career and was sponsoring a group of disabled people to attend the game.
The move by the Argos is especially surprising since their receiving ranks have been depleted by injuries of late, including one to veteran Andre Talbot, who will miss the game with an ankle sprain.
Rookie Matt Lambros won't be back after suffering a season-ending knee injury last week.
"For him to take me out just bothers me and shows me he doesn't know what's going on with this team," Bruce said.
Toronto announced on Thursday afternoon the signing of receiver Cory Rodgers, released earlier this month by the B.C. Lions. Rodgers caught 35 passes and five touchdowns in 21 games with the Lions.