Once upon a time (June 2018), in a land far, far away (York University) there lived three bears. Okay, three linebackers and one of them was named Bear.
It was a trio of linebackers that the Toronto Argonauts were counting on both on and off the field. Bear Woods would eventually return from back surgery and anchor the middle. The weak side would be patrolled by Marcus Ball, the spiritual leader of the team. The strong side was the domain of Cassius Vaughn, an on-field coach equally respected by both teammates and opponents.
Not only was the trio expected to contribute on the field, but would provide the team with a quality of leadership that coaches dream of.
At least that was the plan.
Woods returned as planned, making his debut August 24th against Montreal. He played three full games, leading the Argos with nine tackles in each, then was hurt in his fourth game back against the Roughriders. His season was done soon after it began.
Ball played until Labour Day, injuring his hamstring and losing his season as a result. He finished the year with 44 tackles, an interception, and a game-winning fumble recovery against B.C.
On August 24th, Cassius Vaughn moved from his normal SAM spot to boundary halfback. In the second half of that game he blew out his Achilles tendon without contact.
Three all-star calibre linebackers lost for the season. They did not play one full game together as a group. How 2018 is that?
Losing one linebacker of that status is tough. Losing two is a disaster…but all three? Luckily for the Argos the three replacements aren’t too shabby at all.
Justin Tuggle, Jeff Knox Jr. and Alden Darby Jr. have done a very nice job filling in for the three wounded stalwarts. Tuggle mans the middle, Knox is in for Ball, while Darby – who started at SAM for the first time in the game Vaughn was injured – continues to man that position.
The group’s success doesn’t surprise Darby.
“The standard in this locker room is set,” said the Arizona State product, “From the coaching staff on down there’s a standard. For us to come in here as new guys in the linebacker group, having a strong corps of Marcus Ball, Cassius Vaughn and Bear Woods. All we have to do is fall in line, follow their footsteps, because they paved the way for us to follow. That’s ‘The Argo Way.’”
Saying it’s easy to replace the injured players is one thing, pulling it off is something altogether different, but the group has looked very good at times, especially without having the benefit of a camp, or even half a season to get to learn about each other’s on-field tendencies.
Tuggle loves what he sees from the newest Argo of the three.
“Knox brings a lot of edge to the group,” said Tuggle. “He’s a fresh face. He’s a guy that’s had success in this league before and he can make plays for you. Anytime you have a guy who can make plays, you welcome him to your room.”
Darby loves the physicality that Knox – named the Saskatchewan Roughriders Most Outstanding Player, Most Outstanding Defensive Player and Most Outstanding Rookie Top Rookie in 2015 – adds to the Double Blue D.
“Knox is a bruiser,” said a smiling Darby. “Knox is a big body who brings the pain. You’ve seen the past couple of game, he always has the big hit. He’s a smart player, always attentive to the game plan. He’s a great teammate, he came here and meshed well with all of us. He’s adapted well to our scheme and to our family, he’s a perfect fit.”
When asked about what Tuggle brings to the group, Darby was equally glowing in his praise.
“A big body with a big presence,” said the native of Long Beach, California. “He’s smart and really, really athletic. He went from outside pass rusher to middle linebacker and is doing a tremendous job for us. A guy with that size and that athletic ability, man, it’s a scary sight.”
Tuggle’s athleticism also impresses Knox.
“Man, he’s fast,” said the Pittsburgh native who has worked out in the last two off-seasons with Tuggle. “He’s smart. He made it easy for me to transition into a new system, so I’ve got a lot of respect for him.”
While the SAM position is more defensive back that true linebacker, Darby fills out the trio on the depth chart. He’s obviously a highly-skilled player, but his ability to act as a leader both on-and-off the field has impressed players and teammates alike, including newbie.
“I just told him (Friday), ‘Thank you for communicating the way you do.’” said Knox. “He knows the system inside and out. He’s like being a coach out there. Having him on our back end makes it easy for me and Tug. He leads, much respect for him.”
Tuggle was also lightning fast with his response when highlighting Darby’s off-field intangibles.
“Darby brings a lot of leadership to the group,” Tuggle told Argonauts.ca. “Especially in the defensive backs room, he holds that room down. He’s very vocal on the field and he’s a playmaker as well. We have a good core group of guys.”
Losing Woods, Ball and Vaughn could have been catastrophic, but the play of Darby, Tuggle and Knox has been a true bright spot in a mostly disappointing season.