ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – Each week, argonauts.ca showcases one of the marquee matchups for fans to watch for before the Argos’ next game. This week, we take a look at a pair of short side cornerbacks that have both put forth excellent outings in the last three weeks.
In a defensive secondary that possesses the likes of Byron Parker, Willie Pile and Lin-J Shell, it is tough to get noticed. For Argos’ CB Willie Middlebrooks, that is likely just the way the soft-spoken corner likes it because the three-year Argo has rarely been caught out of position this season.
After battling injuries in his first two seasons with Toronto, Middlebrooks is finally healthy and is quietly on pace to have a career season in tackles. To date, the Miami, Florida native has 45 total tackles and an interception which he recorded the last time the Argos were in Winnipeg (Week 2).
Last week against the Tiger-Cats, Middlebrooks was arguably Toronto’s best defensive player in a lopsided loss, coming up with two big plays in a row on the Argos’ first quarter goal line stand.
The 23-year-old corner has played in 10 games this season, registering 21 defensive tackles and two interceptions, one of which came against the team he will be facing this week when the Bombers host the Argos. The former Texas Longhorns defensive halfback remained relatively unnoticed by fans and media until he turned one of the aforementioned interceptions into a highlight-reel win for the Bombers.
Two weeks ago, Beasley helped the Bombers cap off one of the most impressive come-from-behind victories in recent memory when he picked off a Casey Printers pass in overtime and returned it for a 72-yard touchdown to defeat the Lions.