ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
Fresh off an impressive four-year stint at Concordia University, Argos’ first round draft pick, LB Cory Greenwood may have graduated from school but his career as a student is far from over.
The Argos second selection (third overall) in the 2010 CFL Canadian Draft on Sunday held nothing back when referring to the respect he has for the football minds that will hopefully go on to shape a long and productive CFL career as he makes the transition from CIS football.
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“In the pros, the guys are a lot bigger, a lot faster and there is a lot more scheming and preparation”, Greenwood told argonauts.ca. “Lucky for me, I have a coach like Mike O’Shea here to help me out [on special teams] and I have a great linebackers coach in Greg Quick so I look forward to working with them”.
Perhaps the biggest advantage O’Shea has while trying to groom Greenwood will be his ability to relate to the Concordia product. O’Shea, a linebacker who came out of the Canadian college ranks himself in 1994, is only two years removed from CFL action and the way in which he played the game is not lost on Greenwood.
“Mike played 16 seasons in the CFL so if there is anybody out there that can help show me the ropes it is him. I’m going to come to camp pretty much like a sponge, trying to absorb everything that he and Coach Quick throw my way”.
Greenwood will enter camp to compete with the other Canadian linebackers on the roster such as Kevin Eiben and Jason Pottinger. However, he will likely see significant time on special teams under the guidance of O’Shea – something that the perennial starter in university has no reservations with.
“It’s going to be something new, coming in and trying to work my way [up]”, said Greenwood. “But I am going to arrive and compete and try to contribute right away on special teams and at the very least provide the team with depth at the Canadian linebacker spot”.
In addition to his admiration for O’Shea, the comparisons between the two may already have begun amongst Argos management and fans.
“They are very similar players”, said Argos head coach Jim Barker of the two. “They are both very athletic, tough and physical – all of the things that you want in a linebacker”.
Barker, General Manager Adam Rita and the rest of the Argos ‘War Room’ crew did everything they could heading into the draft to secure the 6-foot-2, 219-pound linebacker, dealing the first overall pick to the Saskatchewan Roughriders to set up a situation where they could draft OT Joe Eppele and Greenwood in succession at the number two and three spots.
“I’m so excited”, Greenwood said regarding where he ended up on draft day. “Especially considering what Toronto did to pick me up at number three, it definitely means a lot”.