Argos dreadlocks crew growing
Bear Woods and his defensive cohorts in Toronto proud of their flowing locks
TORONTO — Bear Woods looked around at his new surroundings, noticed his new teammates lining up in the huddle and then watched as they ran to the ball.
He then became aware of a hair style Woods became synonymous with during his days in the NFL with the Falcons and in the CFL with the Als. It suddenly dawned on him that Woods was surrounded by players sporting dreadlocks, prompting the newest Argo to anoint the unit with an unofficial handle.
“The Dreaded D,’’ said Woods, who has long flowing locks of his own.
Marcus Ball, Ken Bishop, Johnny Sears Jr., Rico Murray and Akwasi Owasu-Ansah are fellow proponents of dreadlocks.
If all six, including Woods, emerge as starters, half of Toronto’s defence will feature the dreadlocks look.
“The Dreaded D’’ has a certain ring to it, the kind of defence that suits Woods beyond the choice in hair ware. Saturday marked the first time Woods practised with the Argos, who came to an agreement with the all-star middle linebacker late Wednesday.
He was on the sideline for Thursday’s pre-season opener against his former team, Woods taking mental reps and slowly trying to acclimate himself with life as an Argo.
“Philosophy wise, I’m learning the terminology,’’ began Woods following his first day of contact.
“I’ll look at the practice film (Saturday night) and make the necessary corrections, but I did not feel stressed. They didn’t throw me out there that they hadn’t already prepared me for.
“They looked out for there and I got to play a little football (Saturday) and more importantly I got to put my hat on someone during padded practice. It felt good.”
Contact and playing with a physical edge is what Woods is known for, besides his hair, a fundamentally sound tackler with a high football IQ and now with a chip on his shoulder following his unexpected release by Montreal.
“It is the game,’’ said Woods of the physical nature of football.
“A lot of people can look good in shorts, can run and do indi drills (individual), but football comes down to playing football and that’s what everybody is doing out here. This team loves the game.
“One thing about this locker-room is that they do love this game. I’m grateful for the opportunity to possibly be part of this team.” The dreadlocks are dear to Woods. “I got to say the defence is looking pretty scary with all the dreads swinging out and more importantly the guys are real players. These are notable guys,’’ added Woods, himself a player of note.
Corey Chamblin becomes the fourth defensive coordinator Woods has worked with in the CFL.
Noel Thorpe has been Woods’ D-C from the time Woods became an every-down linebacker in 2013.
Woods and Chamblin hit it off quickly.
“Corey made it smooth,’’ said Woods. “As a man, you get to talk to him as a man.
“The transition philosophically was smooth, even off the field we really gelled together.”