Argos: Hughes ready to anchor ‘hungry’ veteran defensive line

The Toronto Argonauts' defensive line will be a little older the next time it takes the field.

According to sack leader Charleston Hughes, it will also be a lot hungrier.

The Argos have heavily retooled their team for the prospective 2021 CFL season, and some of the biggest changes have come on the defensive line.

The 37-year-old Hughes was signed by the club shortly after his release by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He will join a line that features a couple of other grizzled newcomers in 32-year-old Cordarro Law and 36-year-old Odell Willis, whose signing was announced Friday.

The three players bring a combined 238 sacks, eight CFL all-star nominations and five Grey Cup titles to Toronto.

“I think we're building the team for success, I think we've got the guys to do it,” said Hughes, who has 130 career sacks. “We've got a lot of guys who know what it's like to win, we've also got a lot of guys who know what it's like to lose.

“So when you've got those two aspects working together, then you've got a lot of people in the locker room who are going to be really hungry for winning a championship and winning ball games.”

Law is the least decorated of the three new additions, but he had 10 sacks in 2019 with Calgary and Hughes likes what he brings to the Argos.

“I've played with that guy for a number of years, man, and I know what he can bring to the table,” Hughes said. “I know what kind of pass-rusher he is. I think we complement each other well, because he's just as smart of a player as I am.”

Hughes will ply his trade in the East after 10 seasons in Calgary and two in Saskatchewan.