TORONTO — Jamal Peters has returned home.
The all-star cornerback practised with the Toronto Argonauts on Wednesday, his first time with the CFL club since helping it capture the 2022 Grey Cup with a 24-23 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last November in Regina. In January, Peters signed with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons but was released June 5.
“Overwhelmed . . . they’ve welcomed me back with open arms,” Peters said following practice. “I’m just happy to be back with my family.
“It was an easy decision (to return to Toronto) with what we did as a whole.”
The six-foot-two, 220-pound Peters was a key part of Toronto’s ’22 championship season. The 26-year-old American was arguably the CFL’s top cover man, recording a league-leading six interceptions to go with 57 tackles and one sack in 15 regular-season games.
Peters also led the CFL in interception return yards (137) and had a pick-six.
Toronto kicks off its ’23 season Sunday night hosting the rival Hamilton Tiger-Cats at BMO Field. Argos head coach while a formal decision on Peters’ status for the game hasn’t been made yet, he didn’t rule out the former Mississippi State star being in the Argos lineup.
“He looked pretty good,” Dinwiddie said. “He’s got some catching up to do as far as mental stuff, some of the tweaks we’ve made to the defence on the back end.
“I’ve got to look at the film and talk with the defensive coaches and see where they feel like he’s at . . . it’s leaning toward Jamal playing.”
Peters’ stint with Atlanta was his second in the NFL. After being undrafted in 2019, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts but was released 10 days later following an injury settlement.
When asked if he got a fair shot with Atlanta, Peters said, “Kind of, sort of.
“I did what I had to do, I can’t control what happened . . . it was like taking a fist to the chin. You control what you can control and just keep going. Coaches make the decision at the end of the day.”
But Peters, who’s entering his third season in Toronto, said the Argos can count on him to be a leader.
“This is my third year coming in so I already know what to expect,” Peters said. “I don’t lead by talking, I do it by action.”
And there’s no doubt in Peters’ mind he can become the CFL’s top lockdown corner.
“Oh yeah, for sure,” he said. “The game is slowing down for me.
“I’m coming into Year 3, my expectation is still the same. I’m going to continue to get better, we always have the chance to get better one per cent each day. I know what I have to do to be the best corner in the league.”
Veteran quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell will make a second straight start with Hamilton (0-1). After playing his first 10 seasons with Calgary (where he led the Stampeders to two Grey Cups and twice earned the CFL’s top player award), it undoubtedly will take Mitchell time to get used to his new surroundings.
If Peters doesn’t play Sunday, he’ll have ample opportunity to face Mitchell as the Ticats and Argos will square off four times this season.
“He’s a great quarterback, he can do a lot of good things,” Peters said. “His looks, throwing the deep ball, his quick game, I’m just excited to get a chance to play against him.”
But while Peters has much respect for Mitchell, if the two are on the field at the same time Sunday, Peters will have no qualms about doing whatever he can to make life miserable for the Ticats.
“That’s our rival, we don’t want to see success over there,” Peters said. “We want to be a successful team.
“I don’t know what the decision will be for me playing. But if I do get a chance to play, we’re looking forward to making them 0-2.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 14, 2023.
