For Ricky Foley, Saturday’s medicals would turn into one of those surreal moments, an occasion he cherished given the location.

The Argos have returned to York University for the second year in a row from training camp, a place Foley would call his university home when he enrolled at York and later turning heads on the football field when he played as many as five positions.

One of his York teammates is Andre Durie, a close friend and confidant who shared the ultimate sporting glory by suiting up as Argos for the team’s 2012 Grey Cup title.

Durie experienced that sense of homecoming last year when the Argos ran their camp at York.

But for Foley, this is a first, his first official step back as an Argo unfolding Saturday when he was greeted by hugs once his medical was completed.

He’s been back on campus in the past.

“It’s weird,’’ said Foley of being back at York. “It’s surreal. I was walking around and seeing the Orange Snail (a popular eating handout located at Stong College). I’d study here, hang out at nights here.

“Just outside here (Foley motions to an adjacent building) there’d be hip-hop nights. It was awesome.”

Foley still oozes a youthful glow and he plays the game on the edge, seeking the backfield and perpetually speaking his mind, a refreshing quality that has and likely will turn some the wrong way.

He speaks his mind, an authentic jock who calls it like it is, regardless of the topic.

On June 9, Foley will turn 33, the same day the Argos will play host to Winnipeg in a CFL pre-season game at Varsity, a venue the Argos first turned to two years ago.

Foley earned his reputation in the CFL with B.C. when he played on a Lions defensive line that featured Cameron Wake.

When packages are dialed up and executed that allow Foley an opportunity to come off the edge, he’s proven to be among the elite sacks specialists.

When his NFL foray went unfulfilled, he signed with the Argos in 2010.

After winning a Grey Cup, Foley moved to Saskatchewan as a free agent, earning a second successive title when the hometown Riders beat Hamilton.

In a way, being back at York completes a cycle for Foley, who was re-acquired by the Argos in an off-season trade with Saskatchewan for linebacker Shea Emry.

“I’m sure it’ll all set in after a few days,’’ said Foley of being back at York. “Right now, it’s just surreal. It’s like I’m back here playing again, new people, new faces, sort of like being at York when I had no idea what was going on.

“It’s a little weird.”

Reclaim role

Given his pedigree and track record, Foley will get his bearings and reclaim his role with the Argos.

There are a lot of new faces with this year’s team, a lot of changes in personnel and coaching and scheming, especially on defence.

Foley and Casey Creehan have maintained an association from afar, but the two can now learn and develop as coach and player.

Even before Creehan’s promotion to defensive co-ordinator following the departure of Tim Burke, Casey was going to coach Foley as defensive line coach.

As co-ordinator, Creehan can now design packages catered to Foley and his athleticism.

When he addressed the media earlier in the week, Creehan said he’ll devise an attack plan based on personnel, but getting to the backfield is critical, a facet that can lead to turnovers and field position.

“We’ve always talked about being together, somehow, some way,’’ said Foley of his relationship with Creehan. “If I hadn’t signed with Saskatchewan, one of the first things I had in place was with Winnipeg when he (Creehan) was there. But their GM (Joe Mack) wasn’t on board.”

Foley in back on board with the Argos, looking to do what he’s always done and unafraid to speak his mind.

His football life, in many ways, has now come full circle.

CLASS ACT CALLS IT A CAREER

The phrase class act gets thrown around often in sports, but it’s apt description of Jason Pottinger.

He left whatever he had on the field each time he took a snap, was willing to throw his support to whatever community initiative that promoted football.

Pottinger was a good player, but an even better person, high character, low maintenance, smart and a great presence in the locker room.

The Argos lacked leadership last year having seen Pottinger get plucked by Ottawa in the expansion draft.

Pottinger’s retirement shouldn’t come as a surprise, but it’s too bad the Argos couldn’t have signed him to a one-day deal before he called it quits.

“Over the last nine CFL seasons I have had the privilege of travelling our country from coast to coast and playing the game that I love,’’ said Pottinger. “I also had the great honour of winning a Grey Cup championship in my hometown.

“The best part was that I enjoyed every second of it with my friends and family. I’ll never forget the good times I had, the amazing people I met and the valuable life lessons I learned throughout my career.”

Pottinger played at Mac and was drafted second overall by B.C. in 2006.

Andy Fantuz went third to Saskatchewan, while B.C. used the fourth overall pick to take Ricky Foley.

Pottinger and Foley were teammates in Toronto on the 2012 Grey Cup team.

NEW SPACES, FACES

The Argos open camp Sunday and are clearly keeping an open mind when it comes to all matters relating to their roster.

Two areas that need to be addressed, among others, are at receiver and on defence, where the Argos have done a lot of their scouting this off-season in identifying and signing players.

Aaron Kelly isn’t exactly a household name in CFL circles, but his size and presence over the middle or on deep routes earned him jobs in both Hamilton and Winnipeg.

When he played for the Blue Bombers, he hauled in two Drew Willy touchdown passes on deep balls in helping the hometown club beat the Argos in Winnipeg’s home opener.

Kelly is experienced and he’s one of the few pass catchers on Toronto’s roster with CFL experience.

The Argos have assembled some intriguing and potentially explosive receivers, but no one they know will perform at the CFL level, which is why camp and the two pre-season games will allow the Argos with additional evaluation.

Brandon Underwood will also be at the opening of camp at York University, a defensive back with NFL experience who was signed by the Argos last off-season.

He started in the secondary, but the Argos parted ways in the days leading up to the team’s Labour Day game against Hamilton.

A third player to join the Argos is Dantay Moch, an athletic linebacker who was drafted 66th overall by the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals in 2011. At the NFL’s combine leading up to the 2011 draft, Moch ran a 4.44, the quickest among linebackers and defensive linemen over 40 yards.