Kobe Williams has set down roots in the Calgary Stampeders secondary.
Nice gig if you can get it.
And he’s got it, because he has earned his spot at boundary halfback — truly paid his dues — amid all the changes that have happened around him.
“You could say I’ve paid my dues,” said Williams, with a grin. “But you know how it goes … I’m going to keep paying my dues.
‘It’s about what you did for me lately, so I’m going to keep going.”
What Williams has specifically done lately has made him a constant positive on the Red and White defence.
Some pundits are even calling the anchor of the secondary, which might come as a surprise given the high praise being heaped on many of the new faces around him and how he was anything but a defender entrenched in one position his last three years — his first ones as a professional and with the Stamps.
“Yeah … he was the guy that did all the other spots in the past,” said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson. “He’s played everything — really — probably not as much cornerback. But he’s played (strong-side linebacker), both halfbacks …
“And I think he’s doing some good things.”
That alongside all the good things expected from his fellow secondary talents.
Both cornerbacks — Demerio Houston and Tre Roberson — have been decorated as CFL all-stars in their career. Houston’s much-hyped arrival in the off-season pushed Roberson to field-side corner from his usual boundary spot.
And there’s new dudes, as well, at field-side halfback — Rodney Randle Jr. and Ben Labrosse — and at safety — Bentlee Sanders and Malcolm Thompson.
Indeed, there have been many changes in the Stamps secondary.
But Williams, unlike past seasons, came into the year at boundary half and has stayed put.
“That movement? I’m used to it — same thing every year here,” said Williams, the 5-foot-10, 183-lb. former standout with the NCAA’s Arizona State Sun Devils. “The last couple of years, I was the guy who had to move around and learn all these positions. But this year, I want to stay at my spot and learn it and focus on doing my best for the team. So I feel like if I’ve got boundary half locked down, I’m doing my part to do what’s best for the team.”
So far, so good.
He’s fourth on the team in defensive tackles, with 23.
And two weeks back, his interception of QB Vernon Adams with 3:12 remaining was key in upending the West Division-best BC Lions 25-24 at McMahon Stadium. It was just reward for a well-played game by the secondary, especially Williams himself.
“That game ranked up there definitely,” said the 25-year-old native of Long Beach, Calif. “Before the game, I knew I had to play like that for us to win. And for me to come out there and play like that in a game that was big and big for the team, we needed that.
“I thought it would bleed over (to last week), but we lost. But nobody cares about that win any more, and nobody cares about the blowout last week.
“It’s about this week.”
This week marks the Calgary end of a home-and-home set with the Toronto Argonauts, separated only by four days.
The Stamps (3-4) host the Argos (4-3) on Sunday at McMahon (5 p.m., TSN, QR Calgary).
“I think Kobe himself will tell you it wasn’t his best game either this past game,” said Dickenson, recalling the drop to the Redblacks. “So that whole secondary group — I don’t think Toronto throws like 40, 50 times a game, but they’re gonna take their shots and they’ve got big receivers, speed and physicality — will have to be at their best against them.”
“Nobody’s got quit,” agreed Williams. “We’re relentless. We don’t let nothing get to us at all. We know our job, and we just go out there and play to the best of our abilities.
“We respect people, but nothing really gets to us. We know how good we can be. And if we keep getting better, it could be dangerous.”
Led by the ‘anchor’ guy, Williams.
“Oh, man … I just do my part,” said Williams, visibly humbled by the idea of being a centrepiece on the defence. “We’ve got a lot of guys that help me this year. ’Spoon’ Demerio helps me a lot on the boundary, and we talk a lot. And we got guys on the field — Branden Dozier — and everybody who communicate and helps. But being an anchor means just being calm and just keeping everybody poised and showing these guys that we have the confidence to make plays when we need them.”
“Consistency is everything,” added Williams. “I think about every game and every practice about being consistent and getting better. That’s what my pops preached to me every time. It’s don’t think about always making the big play … just be consistent and keep doing that.”
SHORT YARDAGE
Injuries are mounting for the Red and White, although many guys listed with issues — OL D’Antne Demery (toe), WR Clark Barnes (shoulder), DL Elliot Graham (hamstring), DL Kelon Thomas, LB Micah Awe (hamstring) and DB Malcolm Thompson (shoulder) — did practise fully Wednesday … Those limited in practice were WR Jalen Philpot (hamstring), DL Kwadwo Boahen (back), DB Nick Statz (groin) … And those skipping the session entirely were OL Bryce Bell (personal), OL Zack Williams (calf), DB Ben Labrosse (ankle) and DB Kaylyn St-Cyr (ankle).
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