Maybe the revamped Argos receiving corps should be named the Smurf Squad.

When the Argos played Hamilton this past Saturday at Ivor Wynne Stadium, they featured a revamped group of receivers. Four of the players -- Tony Miles, Chris Cunningham, Andre Talbot and Michael Palmer -- average just 5-foot-9 and 179 pounds.

Mind you, compared to their pint-sized head coach, Pinball Clemons, these guys resemble giants.

All four made big contributions in the Argos' 34-6 victory. Miles had a team-high six catches for 104 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown, while Talbot and Cunningham, who was playing in his first regular-season game in the pros, had three catches apiece. Palmer had two catches.

"Chris Cunningham, I thought, made a couple of big catches and timely catches for a young guy playing in his first game," Clemons said after the game. "Both of our young Canadian players, Talbot and Palmer, made some big catches at key times."

HAD TO SHUFFLE

The Argos shuffled their receiving corps, because of an injury and to account for a change in the makeup of the import/ non-import balance. Cunningham replaced fellow rookie import R. Jay Soward, who was sidelined with a bad hamstring.

And with the addition of import offensive lineman Dave Costa, the Argos sent slotback Marc Lester to the injured list and promoted Palmer from a backup spot to fill out the requisite minimum of seven Canadian starters.

Cunningham, nicknamed The Comet, resembled his older brother Jimmy, who was known as The Jet in his Canadian Football League career, turning on the afterburners after making a catch.

The Comet scored two touchdowns in the pre-season but began the season on the practice roster.

'DISAPPOINTED'

"I've been practising hard just waiting on my chance," he said. "I was real disappointed when I didn't make the active roster from the jump, but the coaches talked to me and told me to stick with it and the time will come. I've had to be patient for a few weeks and I was just thankful. I was ready. I didn't even know until (two days before the game) I was going to be playing and I wound up doing a pretty good job."

Talbot, who has been on and off the roster in three previous seasons because of hamstring and foot injuries, replaced Talbot as the starting wide-side wideout in the second game. He registered his first TD in the pros with one of his catches against Hamilton.

"It feels good. It's been a long time coming," he said. "It was the opportunity to do what I know I can do. It kind of put the critics to rest, for a minute anyway. I had to really squash the coaches and management's) doubts I could stay healthy. Once I made it through (training camp), once I made it through the first game, they realized I'm 100%, I'm healthy and those injuries were flukes."