Defensive coordinator Corey Chamblin of the Toronto Argonauts before the game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at BMO Field in Toronto, On., Sunday, June 25, 2017. (Photo: Johany Jutras)
We’re used to hearing people in sports claim that returning to play their former team is “just another game.” The latest to try to sell that is first-year Argos defensive coordinator Corey Chamblin.
“I won’t be feeling any emotions,” Chamblin told Argonauts.ca when asked about his return to Regina. “I’m not that type of guy.”
One wouldn’t fault Chamblin for getting a bit nostalgic about a trip back to the prairies. He was the head coach of the Roughriders when they won the Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium in 2013. Despite that magical ride, the realities of pro football can be as cold as the Regina weather during the week leading up to that championship game, and he was fired midway through the 2015 season.
“It was a special place”, Chamblin conceded, before becoming at least a bit reflective. “It was a special moment, (but) there are four players from the team when I was there and also there’s not even the stadium from when I was there. It was almost like I coached there in the 80’s.”
After emphasizing that he wasn’t trying to diminish what his team accomplished there – he admits to having photos of the event in his house – CC the DC seemed relieved when the discussion fast forwarded to 2017.
On Monday, the Argos started nine players who weren’t here a year ago. Among the starters, only Shawn Lemon, Jermaine Gabriel, and Akwasi Owusu-Ansah wore Double Blue in 2016. The unit has gelled quickly, and the coach is very happy with its progression.
“Each and every game we do something positive, more than we did the game before,” said Chamblin. “We’re taking each step to try to become a great defence.”
One particular element of the defence was on display on Monday night. The Double Blue was inflicting some Double Bruise against Ottawa. Jermaine Gabriel had the highlight hit of the night, but it seemed to be contagious.
Chamblin had a succinct explanation as to why.
“We were a little bit fresher,” said a now chuckling coach, “And fresher equals physical. That’s one of the reasons. The guys hadn’t played a game in 10 or 11 days so they had a little more pop to them.”
One of the other players who brought the lumber on Monday was Owusu-Ansah. The third-year cornerback says that physical play is stressed by Chamblin.
“That’s something that coach definitely emphasizes,” the man known as AK said on the Double Blue Podcast. “As a football player that’s the nature of the game, you have to be physical. Whenever you have opportunities as a defensive player to be aggressive and make the tackle, make the hit, you definitely have to take it because it sets the tone for the team and for the game as well.”
So what is Corey Chamblin football? After emphasizing that in all three phases it’s Argo football, not any individual’s football, Head Coach Marc Trestman said he’s thrilled to have his DC in place.
“From my standpoint, I couldn’t feel more grateful and appreciative to have Corey Chamblin on our staff,” said Trestman. “I think he’s a great leader. I think he’s a great communicator, and he’s a guy you want to play for and be coached by, and I think that resonates with our football team and I’m really proud to have him with us.”
Owusu-Ansah says the coordinator is adept at getting players to excel in a team concept.
“Coach Chamblin, he pushes you to be your best individually,” said the cornerback. “He demands the best out of all of us. When you make a good play he tries to find what you could have done better. He’s definitely elevated the room and everybody’s play.”
Chamblin knows what it takes to win a Grey Cup. He’ll be reminded of that this weekend in Saskatchewan, and the Argos are hoping he’ll experience that feeling once again in November.