CFL
Karl McCartney loves being that guy.
A leader on the Calgary Stampeder special teams, McCartney likes nothing more than making that bone-crunching hit that drops a returner in his tracks. On punt or kickoff returns, he takes pride in throwing a block that springs a teammate for a big gain.
“Special teams is all about effort,” said McCartney as the Stampeders prepared for Sunday’s 102nd Grey Cup game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at BC Place Stadium.
“It’s just guys going out there and wanting to make a play. That’s what special teams is all about, wanting to be that guy.”
Brandon Banks’ two electrifying punt returns for touchdowns in Hamilton’s 40-24 win over the Montreal Alouettes in the Eastern Final have shone a spotlight on special teams. Overall Banks returned five punts for 226 yards, including a 96-yard romp.
McCartney doesn’t mind the extra attention but said Sunday’s game is no different than the rest of the season.
Special teams have “always been” important, McCartney said.
“Every time we play the returner is the fastest player on the field and you have to be ready. One move and they can change the game.”
Calgary beat Hamilton both times the teams played during the regular season. The Stampeders managed to keep Banks in check both games.
The speedster from Garner, N.C., returned a total of 10 punts for 113 yards. He had six kickoffs for 135 yards.
McCartney believes containment is the key to countering Banks’ blazing speed.
“Play fast, play aggressive, cut him off, make him stop his feet,” he said.
“Once you make him stop his feet his timing is off and we can catch up. If he’s allowed to run he will change your angles. The main thing is just get one stop and try to slow him down and trip him up.”
Receiver Simon Charbonneau-Campeau, another special teams player, said Calgary can’t be too cautious in handling Banks.
“We played against him before and he didn’t do too much trouble,” he said.
“We just have to be us. We can’t starting being crazy about him and think he’s some kind of super hero. We just have to play our game, be aggressive and I think we will be good.”
Mark Kilam, Calgary’s special teams co-ordinator, said the Stampeders respect Banks but don’t fear him.
“You know what his strengths are and you try to limit those,” he said.
“We are going to play our game and our guys are confident in how we cover and the schemes we run.”
It takes a special breed of player to excel at special teams. If the offence is a symphony, and the defence rock and roll, special teams is thrash metal. Every kickoff, every punt is mayhem. The result can mean instant field position or starting deep in your own end.
“It’s structured chaos,” explained Kilam. “There are so many moving parts.
“You can structure it or scheme it as much as you can. Still, depending on where the ball lands, the play will change and the dynamics will change. It’s a really exciting part of our game.”
Most rookies have to prove themselves on special teams. There are players who make a career on teams.
“It just takes somebody that has a lot of want-to,” said Kilam. “Everyone always wants to look at special teams as a stepping stone to either offence or defence. In some sense it is.
“At the same time, it’s such a big part of our game. It takes a special player that can be able to make plays in space, who is going to fight for the whole game. Those are the type of guys we look for.”
McCartney played all 18 games for the 15-3 Stampeders this season. He led the Stamps with 23 special-teams tackles, third best in the league. The Nassau native added two more special-teams tackles in Calgary’s 43-18 win over Edmonton in the Western Final.
Growing up, McCartney established national age-group swimming records in the Bahamas. He moved to Canada to continue his training but then switched to football.
The Stampeders picked the six-foot, 233-pound linebacker 37th overall in the 2010 Canadian draft from Saint Mary’s.
Kilam said McCartney tempers his aggression with an understanding of his role.
“Karl has very good spacial awareness,” he said. “He works off the players around him really well.”
“He’s a good tackler at the point of attack. He’s a lot more athletic than you think he is. He understands his role and excels at his role. The best ones understand their role and execute on the field.”
Given his choice, McCartney prefers coverage teams. He’d rather be a hunter than a protector.
“You have to keep your lanes,” said McCartney, who turned 27 on Saturday.
“The main thing is just beating your guy first, then the only goal is the ball and making the tackle.”
When it comes to blocking on returns, McCartney has to mentally shift gears.
“When you are blocking you have to be more in control than when you are just running around trying to tackle someone,” he said.
“I take a lot of pride (in blocking). You have 12 guys that can make a tackle. But if you spring a returner that’s a way bigger play.”
