Ticats.ca
Justin Dunk
When Corey Chamblin was hired to take over the Ticats defence in January, change was to be expected. Only six of 12 starters returned to the Black and Gold from the end of the 2010 season and a couple of young players earned the right to fill two of the voids in the starting lineup after impressive showings in training camp.
“Eddie Steele has exceeded my expectations in many ways,” Chamblin said. “Marcell Young has shown a progression.”
Steele spent his first season with the Ticats on Hamilton’s practice roster after being picked 22nd overall in the 2010 CFL draft, honing his skills each day in practice against seasoned veterans. Still a rookie by CFL standards, as he did not play in a CFL contest last season, Steele has made the jump from practice squad to first-string simply by doing what has been asked of him.
“I have a job to do just like all four of us on the front,” the 273-pounder said. “I’m getting used to the tempo now, I feel that the confidence is coming along and I know I can play at this level.”
His coordinator has had to raise expectations for the young defensive tackle after his noticeable showings in Steele’s first three CFL games.
“I didn’t think that he would be this solid being a first year guy,” Chamblin said. “It’s rare that we have to say Eddie, something’s wrong. He’s becoming a true pro.”
Steele has provided proof early in the season to his teammates and coaches that he is capable of more than a typical first year player. Steele has registered seven tackles in three games from his one-technique position and also notched a sack the first time he suited up for a CFL game.
“Buck Pierce just stepped up in the pocket and I countered, went out to the B gap and he was right there in my lap, so I just ate him up,” Steele said of his first career quarterback takedown against Winnipeg in week one.
Another first year CFLer and newcomer to the Ticats defence made a quick impression in his first regular season contest. Young, installed as the starter at the weak side corner spot after an impressive pre-season, provided air tight coverage as part of the Steeltown secondary that limited Pierce to just 151 yards in week one.
He also grabbed his first interception, further evidence of his quick and continued progression as a CFL defensive back.
“Marcell has made a couple of goods plays. I’m proud that he is making those plays early, while he is going through his learning experience,” Chamblin, who doubles as the Ticats defensive backs coach, said.
The Jackson state product said he relied on pure talent to succeed in his college days, but he has become a quick study as a pro.
“Up here I go against some great receivers everyday in practice and in the game, so I had to use more technique,” Young said.
“He’s correcting things and I think he’s learning piece by piece how to become a complete player, not just a man cover guy,” Chamblin said.
The rangy corner has focused on trusting exactly what his eyes see, which might sound like a novel concept to those outside of football.
“It’s big”, Young said of trusting what he sees when a play is unfolding. “A lot of times we don’t have any safety help so you have to trust what you see.”
“If a man sits down I gotta trust my eyes to know to run to the up-field shoulder and make the tackle or try to make a play on the ball and not come to his lower field shoulder because he can out-and-up me.”
Young has found some comfort playing at Ivor Wynne stadium, where both of his interceptions have occurred, his second pick of the year came off Darian Durant in week three.
“The coaching staff puts me in great positions to make plays and so far I’ve been making them,” he said. “I want to win every play. Every play I want to be able to say my man couldn’t catch the ball, he couldn’t get open.”
Certainly these two newcomers to the Cats defence have taken to heart the team’s catch phrase for the season; commit to win.
