Kyle Myers, Argonauts.ca
TORONTO – When you hear the word special teams, the odds are that the player who comes to mind is either a kicker or a return man. Whether it’s a kickoff, a punt or a field goal, nearly all of the audience’s attention is focused on one or both of these two players, who have the greatest potential to make a big play.
Brendan Gillanders is a special teamer, but he isn’t a kicker or a returner. He’s one of the mass of bodies headed downfield on a punt, or acting as a blocker to clear a path for his return man. He’s a gunner hunting for the ball carrier on a kickoff, or blitzing at the punter in the hopes of blocking a kick.
Brendan Gillanders is also very good at what he does.
Through four games this season, Gillanders’s five special teams tackles ties him for fifth in the CFL, though that ranking is deceiving when you consider that he’s just two tackles back from the leader, and has played one fewer game than three of the four players ahead of him.
“He does his job, and he does it with enthusiasm and great effort,” said Argos’ special teams coordinator Scott Downing. “He pays attention to the little details. I just think that special teams means an awful lot to him, like it does for a number of other guys, but people have given him some opportunities to make big plays and he’s stepped up and made them in games.”
Watching Gillanders, whether in practice or a game, it’s no surprise why he’s successful. He’s often one of the first Argos downfield on a punt or a kickoff, while also capable of blocking large defenders when protecting his kicker.
What is surprising is that prior to joining the Argonauts last season, Gillanders had little experience at the position he’s now excelling in.
“No, I didn’t play any (special teams),” said Gillanders. “I was on the punt team for a little bit during my rookie season in Ottawa, and I was a punt and kickoff returner for a couple of seasons, but I was never asked to do what I’m doing now.”
In fact, Gillanders played a significantly different role when suiting up for the Gee Gees: as the team’s starting tailback. Gillanders was a two-time OUA All Star and was named second team All-Canadian in 2013, recording over 700 rushing yards in his three years starting, while scoring 24 total touchdowns. It’s a position he would like to play again, someday, though don’t expect to hear him complain about it.
“Yeah I miss it,” said Gillanders about being an offensive playmaker. “But you know every single player plays a role on this team, and I’m getting to show some of my physical abilities on special teams right now, making tackles, getting downfield fast and creating havoc.”
That’s what I’m being asked to do so that’s my job and my priority right now, to do it at a high level.”
At 5’10 and 210 pounds, Gillanders isn’t necessarily an imposing presence. But when asked if he is underestimated due to his stature, Coach Downing could only laugh. “I don’t know, all you’ve got to do is watch him on film once,” he said. “He goes hard every play and plays well. He’s extremely strong and powerful. Once you see him up close and personal he’s very impressive, and he’s getting done what he needs to do.”
Strength is something Gillanders knows well: he’s a human kinetics graduate from the University of Ottawa and is a certified personal trainer. In the offseason, he works as a strength and conditioning coach for youth football teams in his college town, which means lots of gym time.
“I came into the season a lot more athletic,” said Gillanders. “My offseason job keeps me in the gym so even I’m not training myself, I’m working with amateur football players. Between offseason training and work I’m probably in the gym 10-12 hours a day.”
After recording two special teams tackles in Friday’s win at B.C., including a pivotal tackle on a dangerous Lions punt return late in the second quarter, Gillanders was honoured by his teammates with the special teams game ball for his hard work.
“He’s a guy that’s really bought into what we’re doing here,” said special teams captain James Yurichuk. “He’s a player that the coach can trust, that his fellow plays can trust on the field to give 100% and do his job.”
For Gillanders, receiving the recognition in a position which normally doesn’t get much was great, but to get it from his teammates was even better.
“Anybody on special teams could have gotten it, we all played well, but it meant a lot,” he said. “It feels good any time you can get recognition, and it means even more when it comes from the guys you play with.”