For opposing offensive coordinators, devising a scheme to protect their quarterback from the interior of Toronto Argonauts defensive line was supposed to be pretty simple; double team Shawn Oakman, then just look after the other guy one-on-one.
Dewayne Hendrix has made those opposition coaches think twice.
The 26-year old Pitt product is in his second season with the Argos; his first as a full-time starter. He’s noticed one aspect of his game has improved significantly since first arriving in Toronto.
“Consistency,” the native of O’Fallon, Illinois told Argonauts.ca. “Just coming in and being consistent day in and day out. If you do that, you’re going to get the results that you want. Those results are going to end up helping me and my teammates down the road.”
Whatever he’s been doing has been working. He’s been a disruptive force in the middle against both the pass and the run. That success has made things a lot easier for Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach Corey Mace.
“Dewayne is a rare talent,” the coach told Argonauts.ca. “He’s an explosive athlete. I’m really pleased with the way he’s progressed since training camp. He controls the line of scrimmage and while the numbers sack-wise haven’t shown up the way he wants, when he decides to go there aren’t many that can stop the kid.”
Ah, those pesky numbers. For many who follow the sport, stats are the be all and end all to rate a player’s performance. If a fan sees Hendrix has but one sack so far this season, they may look at him as an average, or below-average player.
They’d be wrong.
“He controls a lot in the run game. Either lateral penetration or getting some knock back, shedding, he’s creating a lot of disruption in the run game. In the pass game he’s putting pressure on quarterbacks up the middle, forcing throws which have helped us come down with some turnovers. A lot of times he’s pulling down double teams when he’s on the nose (playing directly across from the centre), which opens things up for his teammates. I’m really pleased with the way Dewayne’s been playing and I’m excited to see how the second half goes for him.”
Argonauts.ca asked Hendrix for a self-evaluation. He basically echoed what his coach said.
“I’d say I’m versatile. I can play the run, I can play the pass, I can do anything my coach needs me to do. I can play the one through the five (middle of the line to lining up outside the offensive tackle), you can put me anywhere on the d-line. I’m always ready to work, that’s what separates me from everybody else.”
With that said, the second-year Argo is realistic about where he is in his development as a pro. The skill is evident, and the work ethic is strong; but he’s aware that he’s not close to reaching his potential.
“I think I’ve got my head on straight, I’ve got a long way to go. I’m going to keep taking the coaching from Coach Mace and Coach Dinwiddie. I’m going to keep getting better week in and week out and we’ll see where we’re at when the playoffs come.”
Teams are noticing his improved play. While it’s natural to double team a player lined up immediately across from the centre, when the two tackles are lined up equidistant from the ball and the offence has a choice to make on who to double team, it’s not always Oakman that’s receiving the extra attention. Teams are doubling up on Hendrix more often, which in itself is a tip to how well he’s been playing.
“It’s my first year actually playing,” said Hendrix. “That teams are starting to notice me and are starting to give me that respect, it’s humbling, but at the same time I know I just have to keep working hard in order to be what I want to be for this team. I’ve got to keep working.”
If you’ve picked up on a recurring theme in Hendrix’s responses, it’s likely that he talks a lot about hard work. He’s been putting in that work and it’s been paying off.
Hendrix is a part of a talented, deep tackle rotation that includes Oakman, Sam Acheampong, Brandon Barlow, Julian McLeod, and Deionte Knight, while Benoit Marion and Fabion Foote remain on the injured list.
Defensive tackles rarely get the proper amount of respect they’re due. If Hendrix continues to play as well as he has, that may change in a hurry.