Offseason Outlook: The Linebackers

ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF

TORONTO – The unit on the defensive side of the ball that will see the greatest turnover from the start of 2013 will be the linebackers. Currently, there is not one starter at linebacker from Week 1 of 2013 on the Argos roster.  With key departures via free agency and the expansion draft, new linebackers coach Casey Creehan will have his hands full building a cohesive unit for the 2014 season.

Additions: Shea Emry, Linebackers Coach Casey Creehan

Subtractions: Marcus Ball (Released), Jason Pottinger (Ottawa Expansion Draft)

Unsigned FAs: Robert McCune

Although there are some key departures, the Argos arguably made the biggest acquisition on day one of free agency with the signing of LB Shea Emry. A former East Division Most Outstanding Canadian and CFL All-Star (2012), Emry spent his previous six seasons anchoring the middle of the Montreal Alouettes defence. The non-import ratio buster should slide right into the Double Blue starting lineup and will look to return to his 2012 form where he totaled 87 tackles, seven sacks and an interception return for a touchdown.  New Defensive Coordinator Tim Burke, who was a major advocate of Emry putting on the Double Blue as they spent time with the Alouettes together, has made a career of producing impactful middle linebackers. A most recent example is Henoc Muamba, who finished the 2013 season with 106 defensive tackles for the Bombers.

With Emry as the only linebacking addition so far this offseason, the Double Blue will lean heavily on players that worked primarily in backup roles and on special teams in 2013.

The player expected to make the largest impact in 2014 compared to 2013 is likely second year linebacker Shane Horton.  Horton tallied 29 tackles and four sacks in 2013 and also lead the Argos in fumble recoveries with three while appearing in 15 games (eleven starts).  With Emry traditionally used as a middle linebacker and the natrual replacement for unsigned free agent Robert McCune, Horton will most likely slot into one of the Sam or Will linebacker spots and be primed for a breakout season in 2014.

The mystery remains, however, with what the Boatmen will do with their third and final starting linebacker spot.  It is more than likely a decision that could come down to the training camp performance of a handful of roster members.

Leading the pack based on CFL experience and non-import designation are James Yurichuk and Jonathan Hood , both signed as free agents in 2013.  Yurichuk and Hood worked primarily on special teams under Mike O’Shea in 2013, with spot duty in specific defensive packages. Yurichuk finished with 14 tackles on special teams and eight defensive tackles, while Hood finished 2013 with three tackles on special teams. With and open spot in the starting lineup and a good showing at training camp, it is very possible that one of Yurichuk or Hood could land a starting CFL position once June 26 rolls around in Winnipeg.

The wild card of the group will be second year Argonaut, non-import Herve Tonye-Tonye.  Working primarily on special teams, Tonye-Tonye appeared in all 18 games for the Boatmen in 2013 totaling eight tackles and five special teams tackles.  With a year of CFL field time under his belt, it is possible that Tonye-Tonye’s reps could increase in 2014, especially on defence.   The Argos will definitely be looking closely at the shape Herve comes to camp in and how he can grow within the new defensive schematics that Tim Burke’s defence provides.

It is also important to mention that in 2013 the Boatmen utilized multiple defensive backs at the linebacker spot. Players such as Demetrice Morley, Ricardo Colclough, Jamie Robinson and Major Culbert all saw time on the field as coverage linebackers.  The hypothesis behind this thought process is that one of the linebackers in a CFL front seven should have the ability to cover receivers similarly to the way a defensive back can, so the fit could be natural based on who showcases more during training camp.

Stay tuned for our final part of our three part series as we profile the secondary next week…