Ex-Alouette Woods already planting roots with the Argonauts
When the Montreal Alouettes made the stunning late-May decision to cut Bear Woods loose, the veteran linebacker went home to think about his future.
It didn’t take long to figure out the place he wanted to be to resume his impressive career would be in Toronto with the Argonauts.
“Looking back, 100 per cent, without a doubt … it was an easy decision,” Woods told Postmedia after the Argos practised on Tuesday.
Woods knew Argos general manager Jim Popp well, because Popp had brought him to Montreal, but he only knew most of the players from competing against them. The fit has exceeded expectations.
“I really feel like I’ve been a part of this locker-room from Day 1. A lot of the guys here, I didn’t personally know them but I knew them from the league — a lot of big-time playmakers, and it’s been wonderful for me personally,” the upbeat 30-year-old from Macclenny, Fla., said.
Entering Week 5, Woods leads the 2-2 Argos and ranks fourth in the Canadian Football League with 27 tackles. He has been widely considered the league’s second-best defender behind only B.C. standout Solomon Elimimian, who twice has edged Woods out for CFL most outstanding defensive player honours.
Woods set an Alouettes record for tackles with 126 last season, and was revered by his teammates, which made his release all the more surprising.
Popp wasn’t doing backflips when Woods became available, but he was definitely thrilled at the chance to reunite with a proven difference-maker.
“He’s a true professional. That’s one of the reasons I instantly wanted to get him here,” Popp said Tuesday.
“He was the No. 1 leader in that locker-room in Montreal. He studies the game, prepares unbelievably. He’s here for hours upon hours and he plays the game fast, with a lot of passion. He’s usually in the right place all the time — that’s why he makes the tackles he does. He’s an extremely smart player.”
Popp said that because Montreal paid up for quarterback Darian Durant and had treated veteran players well in the past financially, other shoes had to drop.
“We’re just in a fortunate position. We all are faced with making decisions … You start making adjustments, get other players, people’s contracts have to be readjusted to stay, or you have to let people go or you have to trade people, and we’re the benefactor,” Popp said.
Woods had NFL tryouts, but never caught on, which always surprised Popp.
“All these years I’ve been covering NFL camps, he’s the most productive guy I’ve seen in the preseason that didn’t make it, and I was determined (whatever) team I was with, I needed to have him on our team.”
That’s why Woods ended up in Montreal and why he’s a crucial part of these Argonauts.
“He probably had as good a stats as anybody (in NFL pre-season contests). He may not fit all those measurements, he may not have the arm length or height, the click on the speed thing, but what you can’t deny are three things: He has tremendous heart, he’s a great leader and he plays the game at a fast speed because of (intelligence).”
So, does Woods feel like he was denied a fair shake in the NFL?
“I wouldn’t say raw deal. … I had a deal a few weeks ago that might have been a raw deal,” he said, referring to the Alouettes situation.
“I’ve always said my eight preseason games, that’s probably the best football I’ve ever played. I can’t just say that, you can look at the film. … But that opportunity created this opportunity and I’ve had a career up here and I haven’t even thought twice about the NFL.”
Woods doesn’t intend to rest on his CFL laurels. He’s determined to improve and believes that’s already happening in Toronto.
“I think the last two games, I have felt very comfortable out there and I’m learning so much from (defensive co-ordinator Cory Chamblin and linebackers coach Mike Archer),” Woods said.
“I thought I was a cerebral player — that’s what people always told me — but now with coach Chamblin, I’m like, I’ve yet to learn anything. … I’ve been blessed to have coach Chamblin, because I’m just trying to tap into that wisdom. He sees things before it happens, and I’m trying to see that big-picture concept that he sees every play.”
Woods has high expectations for himself and for the defensive group as a whole.
“We expect to be at the top of the league in defence, total points and take-aways and sacks,” he said.
“Guys are taking ownership and getting comfortable, and we expect big things.”