ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – Monday will mark the final Labour Day Classic at Ivor Wynne stadium as the Argos and Ticats square off for the second time in 2012. With both teams boasting solid running backs and the possible return of Chevon Walker to the Hamilton lineup, we thought it would be time to take a look at the run stoppers for each club:
On the Hamilton side of the ball, lined up as the “Mike” linebacker is fifth year pro out of Hofstra, Rey Williams.
As of week 10, Williams has recorded 48 tackles to go along with two sacks, one INT, and one fumble recovery.
Signed as a free agent in 2011, Williams is part of a Ticats linebacking crew considered one of the best in the league. However, this top defence on paper has not transferred to the gridiron like the Ticats organization had hoped.
As a defence the Ticats have allowed the most points in the league, sacked opposing QBs less than any other team, and allow the most rush yards per game at 138. They have the fewest interceptions of all defensive units and have allowed more TDs than any team.
Last time Williams played Toronto in week three, he recorded a pedestrian six tackles with no turnovers.
Williams and his fellow linebackers will be looking to shut down RB Chad Kackert who has never played a CFL game against Hamilton, but is coming off a game where he got into the endzone against Edmonton in week nine.
If Kackert can get the edge over Williams and company and Ray can keep his turnovers to a minimum, the Argos should be able to score enough points to beat Hamilton and leave a final stamp on the Labour Day Classic at Ivor Wynne.
Since being signed during training camp on June 21st, it can be argued that Robert McCune has been the best offseason acquisition by GM Jim Barker.
McCune came into camp after being released by the Calgary Stampeders, sliding right into the starting MLB spot due to the injury to last year’s starter Jason Pottinger.
Acting as Defensive Coordinator Chris Jones’ workhorse, McCune is seeing a heavy dose of snaps in every game as the MLB.
Through his first eight games as an Argonaut, McCune has racked up 45 tackles which has him tied for fifth in the league; pretty good for someone that was cut in a CFL training camp earlier in 2012. He is currently leading the Stamps leading tackler Juwan Simpson by nine tackles.
In addition to his 45 tackles, McCune had his second career CFL interception against Winnipeg’s Alex Brink on July 18th. McCune was able to settle under a fluttering pass after fellow linebacker Brandon Isaac laid a hit on Brink to cause a bad throw. Both former Stampeders, McCune and Isaac have been a huge boon to the Argos linebacking core.
In his last game against Hamilton McCune recorded five tackles, his third lowest total of the season. For the Argonauts to have a chance at winning the Labour Day Classic, McCune will have to have a big game.
Containing both running backs Chevon Walker and Avon Colbourne as well as mobile QB Henry Burris is at the top of McCunes ‘to-do’ list. If McCune can help slow those players down, a Double Blue win on Labour Day is in the cards.