Argos coach Marc Trestman stood on the sidelines Thursday night when his Argos faced the powerhouse Calgary Stampeders, much the same way he has stood through six weeks of the season, and for 36 years as a pro football coach.

But there is something slightly different about the 61-year-old native of Minneapolis. Two of his key players, receiver S.J. Green and quarterback Ricky Ray, say so.

“He went down south (to coach in the NFL) and he learned some things,” Green said of Trestman, who started coaching in 1981 in a career that has included nine NFL teams, a pair in the CFL, two Grey Cup championships and an NCAA title in 1983 with Miami.

“We’d need a whole other (scrum) for that, but I can tell he’s changed a couple of little things about his game. It’s not bad things, just couple of little things about his approach … just things he felt he could do better.”

While Green wouldn’t elaborate, it seems Trestman’s approach in his first season as Argos coach is being consistent in how he deals with players.

While every coach, no matter what sport or level, must be a communicator, Trestman seems to be putting an almost physical element into his coaching style. Even during practices, he sometimes sprints down field to address the execution or positioning in a play.

Part of that includes either firm instruction or a loud round of praise and encouragement.

Entering the game against Calgary, now seven weeks into the season, the Argos were 3-3 and in first place in the East Division. There’s obviously room for improvement, but Trestman, while getting his club off to a decent start, has laid the foundation for accountability and team-wide commitment in his players.

Green has an obvious connection to Trestman, having played for him in Montreal. Trestman, who has been a quarterbacks- and receivers-oriented coach for his entire coaching career, has carried that over to the Argos. Ray led the CFL in passing yardage entering week seven; Green was second in receiving yards.

“I’ve said this before, but its been a blessing having (Trestman) as my coach,” Green said. “Marc is by far my favorite coach that I have ever played for. I’m trying to continue to learn and be the best player I can be.”

Trestman’s strength is his bonding with his quarterbacks and receivers, and in the pass-oriented CFL, that bond is a key element of success.

The Argos offence draws almost 100 per cent of its success from the air, with all but one of its offensive touchdowns coming via the pass.

Ray and Green remain a formidable tandem, but Trestman seems to be bringing more and more out of the likes of Canadian receivers Anthony Coombs and Llevi Noel.

For Ray, who is 37 and has set or is on the verge of setting several all-time Argo passing records, there are still things to learn under Trestman.

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“It’s things like footwork, and how you are reading certain plays,” said Ray, who had six consecutive 300-plus yard games heading into Thursday and was on pace to pass Doug Flutie’s single-season CFL record of 6,619 yards, set in 1991.

“Marc opens up your mind . . . so you read some plays differently. It’s being disciplined, too, trying to keep things simple and making them work for you. You’re not back there trying to freelance and make something happen, you know exactly what to do and what is expected of you.”