Offseason Outlook: The Defensive Line

ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF

TORONTO – After reviewing the offence last week, it is time to look at the Double Blue Defence, which could have a very different look in 2014.  With Tim Burke now on staff as the Defensive Coordinator, Argos fans can certainly expect different schemes and defensive philosophies than they have seen the past few seasons as Burke comes with a diverse look at how to run a defence in the CFL.  With so much to cover, the defence will be broken down into three categories, beginning with the heart of any Tim Burke run defence, the Defensive Line.

DEFENSIVE LINE:

Additions: Defensive Line Coach Will Plemons, DL PaiPai Falemalu, DE Aston Whiteside, DL Logan Harrel, DL Ezra Butler

Subtractions: DL David Lee (Signed with Riders), DL Jonathan Williams (Ottawa Expansion Draft)

Unsigned FAs: None

The big boys down low on defence, or the “Dirty Dog Nation” as they would prefer to be called, is probably the defensive unit that will see the least amount of changes in 2014 when it comes to personnel.

Returning are defensive linemen Kiante Tripp, Marcus Thomas, Ivan Brown, Aaron Maybin, Cleyon Laing and All-Star Khalif Mitchell.  The line is sure to benefit from this cohesion and familiarity in 2014, as the 2013 CFL season was the first for Tripp and Laing who saw spot start duty throughout the season. Maybin and Thomas only joined the Argos in late October before being activated for the end of the season and the Eastern Final.

Laing was the standout rookie of the group. In his first year out of Iowa State, Laing played in 14 games registering 15 tackles, four sacks and one fumble recovery.  Being a productive non-import in the CFL can mean career longevity, and Laing looks like he will be a fixture on the Double Blue line for years to come.

Fellow non-import Ivan Brown totalled the second highest tackle numbers amongst the group of “D-Linemen”, managing 22 tackles and one sack in 2013 while appearing in 13 games.  Brown’s value comes not only from his help on the defensive side of the ball, but also from his Special Teams contributions; Brown had three special teams tackles in 2013.

Rookie DT Kiante Tripp battled a myriad of injuries in 2013, but when active was a force on the Argos line totalling 10 tackles and one fumble recovery. However, none of Tripp’s plays are more memorable than his 54-yard Pick Six against Montreal that helped seal a comeback win on the road.

In Marcus Thomas and Aaron Maybin, the Argos have their true wild cards.  Only just learning the CFL game in 2013, Thomas and Maybin were only active for a combined three regular season games (two for Thomas, one for Maybin) while both being active for the Eastern Final.  A former linebacker and top 10 pick in the NFL draft, Maybin has a chance to make a big impact in 2014 as Burke is sure to utilize his speed on the edge in getting after the quarterback.

Then there is the Argos All-Star man in the middle: Khalif Mitchell.  Following a fantastic 2013 where he returned to his ways of CFL domination, Mitchell totalled 32 tackles and five sacks, just one tackle and one sack shy of his career highs.  With Burke’s known tendency to get his players after quarterbacks, Mitchell stands to improve on his numbers in 2014 and potentially set new career highs across the board.

Also looking to crack roster spots will be newly signed linemen PaiPai Falemalu, Aston Whiteside, Ezra Butler and Logan Harrell.  Falemalu spent his college career at Hawaii, where he was named the co-defensive player of the year and team captain in 2012.  He spent time with the Cleveland Browns (NFL) in 2013.  Whiteside is a product of Abilene Christian where he was named First-Team All-LSC and LSC Defensive Lineman of the Year while leading his team to the first 11-0 record in ACU History in 2010.

Butler joins the Argos after several professional football seasons in both the NFL and UFL where he won back-to-back championships with the Las Vegas Locomotives.  He also spent time with the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints.  Harrell comes to Toronto after spending part of 2013 with the San Diego Chargers where he was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Fresno State.  During his time at Fresno State Harrel was named All-WAC in both 2010 and his senior year in 2011.

The transition into the second part of the defensive feature, the linebackers, will begin with an honourable defensive line mention for linebackers James Yurichuk and Shane Horton. Both capable of playing on the end of the defensive line, don’t be surprised to see either of these stellar athletes line up against a left or right tackle and set their sights on a few sacks ion 2014.

Look for part two of the defence, the Linebackers, coming soon…