Chad Owens emerged as the CFL’s top receiver, its most explosive when the ball was in his hands and the league’s most outstanding player.

Owens came of age with quarterback Ricky Ray at the helm, delivering the football on point and always making the right read.

An injured Ray won’t be tossing the pigskin anytime soon, replaced by Trevor Harris, who makes his second and final pre-season start Thursday night in Montreal, the final dress rehearsal for the Double Blue before the regular season kicks off a week this Saturday.

There’s a familiarity with the Argonauts system having been exposed to the team’s passing offence from the day Harris arrived in 2012.

Harris has no experience as a starter, save for the season finale a year ago against Ottawa when Harris looked good in leading the host Boatmen to a win.

“He’s a competitor,’’ said Owens of Harris.

“Sometimes he’ll be getting on himself a lot because he’s that much of a competitor.

“If you don’t know Trevor Harris you don’t understand how competitive he is. He wants to be great, but that’s why sometimes I’ve got to remind him: ‘Hey, don’t worry about making a mistake. If you make a mistake, don’t worry about it. It’s all good. We got to move along to the next play.’

“I think he’s done well and he’ll continue to do better, more reps, more games, the more defences he sees, the better. So far, it has been good working with him.

“He’s all about winning and he’s going to do what it takes to win.”

Ray had this demeanour that never wavered, a presence that never would indicate whether the Argos were ahead or trailing.

He’s as cool as it can get, calm in the face of pressure, never pointing fingers and never offering any excuse.

“I don’t want to say strict,’’ said Owens of Harris.

“I’ll just use the word disciplined. He’s a very disciplined guy. He’s going to do things the right way and in this offence that’s pretty much what you got to be in doing things the right way.

“There’s a reason why certain things are the way they are in the offence and if you try to tweak it, it may not work out. He’s a very disciplined player. That discipline and that competitiveness will make Trevor’s potential big.

“There’s a want-to with Harris because he wants to win, he wants to be great, he wants me to get the ball, he wants (Andre) Durie to get him the ball, he wants everyone, really, to get the ball.

“If he makes a mistake, he’s like: ‘Hey!’ He’s trying to figure out what he can do to make it better.”

Delivering the football by going through the progression, exercising ball security and sound decision-making will help Harris, but there are other areas such as winning the turnover battle and field position that will allow Harris to remain in his comfort zone.

Once the season begins, head coach Scott Milanovich would like to see Harris pull the ball and use his feet to make plays.

Having a healthy Owens as a primary option helps Harris as does a healthy and productive Durie.

Toronto’s top-two offensive players need to stay healthy and the more touches they get, the easier it will be for Harris.

It goes without saying that the line of scrimmage must be won and some semblance of a run game has to be established to take pressure off Harris.

There’s also talent among the many new receivers the Argos have brought in, making Thursday night a big night for many.

“It’s our job as veterans, as leaders, to bring these guys along,’’ added Owens, who broke into the CFL in Montreal.

“If we don’t bring them along, we won’t be successful. Durie and I can’t do it by ourselves. We can’t. We need everyone to buy in and understand what’s going on, the routes, the concepts, alignment and assignment, everything.”

LANDRY WAS A FORCE AT LINEBACKER

Doug Landry was known as “Tank” during his playing days, one of the most instinctive football players the CFL has ever seen.

Landry was a good guy who battled demons, leaving his mark on the game that ended far too early when all the baggage began to take its toll on him.

His life ended far too early as well, Landry passing away at the age of 51 on June 8.

A native of New Orleans, Landry was a highly acclaimed linebacker at Louisiana Tech before he headed north, beginning a football path that took Landry to Hamilton, Toronto, B.C. and Calgary.

As an Argonaut, Landry and Willie Pless formed one of the most dynamic linebacking tandems in CFL history — two of the anchors that would help lead the Double Blue to a berth in the 1987 Grey Cup against the Edmonton Eskimos.

Landry scored a defensive touchdown in that iconic and classic matchup, providing Toronto with a 24-10 cushion.

Ultimately, the Argos would lose, 38-36, on a late Jerry Kauric field goal.

The Landry-led Boatmen defence arguably produced the biggest play of the title game when they knocked out Edmonton starting quarterback Matt Dunigan.

The Esks turned to Damon Allen and the game quickly turned in Edmonton’s favour.

Landry had issues off the field and he would routinely miss meetings and practices in Toronto.

Come game day, Landry was as good as it was, playing on instinct and pure athleticism, always around the football, always aware of down and distance, situation and recognition.