KORNEGAY HAS A NEW FAN

By Murray McCormick, Leader-

Riders' Tad Kornegay is 11th in the CFL in total defensive tackles with 65. The third-year linebacker has forced four fumbles, recovered three fumbles and recorded three interceptions.
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post files

HAMILTON — Gary Etcheverry is happy to admit how wrong he was about Tad Kornegay.
Etcheverry, the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defensive co-ordinator, said he wasn’t a fan of Kornegay during the 2008 CFL season. Etcheverry found Kornegay’s attitude to be lacking in 2008 but has noticed a transformation in 2009.

“He has had the biggest turnaround of any player that I’ve had in all of my years of coaching,’’ Etcheverry said in advance of Saturday’s game (noon, CKRM, TSN) against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Ivor Wynne Stadium. “It’s like we got a new player. All of us pre-judge people but my initial judgment in 2008 was 100-per-cent wrong compared to my impression this year. The biggest change is his attitude towards what we’ve asked him to do. He wasn’t playing last year until at the end and that clearly was a challenge for him. Now he has to be the best pound-for-pound defensive player in the league.’’

Kornegay, a natural defensive back, earned those accolades through his versatility and performance. He has accomplished that as a weak-side linebacker who is required to cover receivers and take on offensive linemen while stopping the run.

But Kornegay (5-foot-10 and 185 pounds) hasn’t been limited to just linebacker. He started a game at cornerback when Donovan Alexander was sidelined with a groin injury. Last Saturday, Kornegay started as a linebacker and then played defensive halfback in the Riders’ 33-30 overtime victory over the B.C. Lions when Eddie Davis was injured.

“Without Tad, I don’t know what we would do,’’ said Riders middle linebacker Rey Williams. “I don’t know if anyone outside of this team knows how valuable he is to us. If anyone goes down, he can play any position. He’s great to have around and it’s a real plus having him on the team.’’

There is statistical proof of what Kornegay has done in his third season with the Riders. He’s 11th in the CFL in total defensive tackles (65). He has forced four fumbles, recovered three fumbles and recorded three interceptions. Kornegay has also responded to all doubters about having a defensive back playing linebacker in Etcheverry’s unconventional defence.

“I call him ‘Touchdown Tad’ because he generates excitement,’’ said cornerback Omarr Morgan, who along with Williams hangs out with Kornegay during the Riders’ warmups before practice. “He does everything for us but play offence. He’s on the line blitzing, he’s a linebacker and he can play DB. He can return kicks and he would probably play a little receiver if you asked him.’’

Kornegay is enjoying his many roles with the Riders’ defence.

“They call me ‘Mr. Everything’ on this team,’’ Kornegay said with a chuckle. “That’s because I never know where I’m going to play from game to game. I might even play nose tackle some game. It’s pretty cool works because I know the scheme pretty well. The other guys feel comfortable if I’m beside them when someone does go down.’’

Kornegay was all over the field during practices leading up to today’s game due to injuries and illnesses. He worked out with the linebackers and took turns with the secondary. He could see time in the secondary today because Davis is sidelined with torn meniscus in his right knee. Kornegay said it’s just another week for him leading up to a game.

“It takes a lot of attention to detail,’’ said Kornegay, a 27-year-old native of Trenton, N.J. “I have to know what everyone else is doing because I never know what I’m going to be doing.’’
Williams feels that type of versatility makes Kornegay so valuable.

“The one thing that I’ve learned at this level is the more things you can do, the longer you will stay,’’ said Williams. “If you can play one more position, that’s less money the team has to spend on getting another player to fill that spot. It’s a blessing and I give Tad a lot of credit for being able to play more than one position.’’

Today’s game marks the return of Kornegay of Hamilton, the city where he started his CFL career in 2005. Kornegay spent two seasons with the Tiger-Cats before being traded to the Roughriders in 2007 for receivers Thyron Anderson and Jason French. Neither of those players remain with the Tiger-Cats.
“Defensively, Tad has been unbelievable,’’ said Etcheverry. “It’s everything from his effort to his understanding of the multiplicity of positions. One snap he’s playing deep and the next he’s two yards in the (offensive) backfield. He has been a remarkable player for us.’’

There is a price for that versatility. When it comes to voting for CFL all-stars, is Kornegay a linebacker or defensive back? There isn’t a listing for a hybrid like Kornegay.
“I would guess linebacker because that’s where they have me playing,’’ said Kornegay. “If they had a column for ‘Mr. Everything’, then I should be the only one. I would automatically be an all-star that way.’’

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com

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