Rey Williams (left) will start at middle linebacker for the first time since tearing his medial collateral ligament in his right knee on Aug. 7. Mike McCullough, who filled in for eight games, will return to backing up Williams.
Photograph by: Roy Antal and Don Healy, Leader-Post
CALGARY — Rey Williams remains an unhappy middle linebacker.
Williams is pleased that he has regained his starting role with the Saskatchewan Roughriders for Saturday’s game against the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium.
Williams is pleased that he has regained his starting role with the Saskatchewan Roughriders for Saturday’s game against the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium.
It’s the first start for Williams at middle linebacker since he tore the medial collateral ligament in his right knee on Aug. 7.
However, Williams remains frustrated that it took this long for the Riders’ coaching staff to reinstate him as the starter. He returned to the lineup on Sept. 26 but Mike McCullough remained the starter. Williams returns as a starter with something to prove.
“I just want to show them what I’m worth,’’ Williams said in advance of today’s showdown for first place in the CFL’s West Division. “I’ve been upset for the last couple of weeks and I feel disrespected and spit on. I assumed when I came back, things would go back to where they were. I’m not happy and I’m going to play with a chip on my shoulder.
“I’m going to bust my ass. I have to show them on every play that I deserve the spot. I want to be the best player on the defence on every single play.’’
Williams feels that he has been singled out by the Riders’ coaching staff. He listed examples of other injured veterans such as John Chick and Gene Makowsky who were returned to the active roster as soon as they were healthy. Williams also pointed out that in 2008 he started four games for Anton McKenzie — who had a neck stinger — then returned to his spot as a backup.
“I played really well for Anton but I didn’t get any playing time when he came back,’’ said Williams, who was demoted the week after being named the CFL’s defensive player-of-the-week. “That’s fine because that’s how they do things around here. They have treated me differently.
“I played pretty well in the first six games of the season. In my mind, I was the best linebacker in the CFL at the time. I was third in the league in tackles and I think I should have played because of that.’’
Williams started at strong-side linebacker for Sean Lucas, who was resting an ankle injury, when the Riders defeated the visiting Toronto Argonauts 32-22 one week ago. Williams was glad he could contribute as a starter but felt slighted by the shift.
Williams started at strong-side linebacker for Sean Lucas, who was resting an ankle injury, when the Riders defeated the visiting Toronto Argonauts 32-22 one week ago. Williams was glad he could contribute as a starter but felt slighted by the shift.
“They wouldn’t have moved (former Riders middle linebacker) Mo Lloyd to another position,’’ said Williams, who had four tackles in the win over the Argos. “He was the middle linebacker and you can read anything you want into that.’’
Riders head coach Ken Miller said the team eased Williams back on to the active roster because he returned early from the injury. Most players are sidelined for six weeks with injuries similar to the one Williams suffered. Williams felt he was ready to play after four weeks on the nine-game injured list and was added to the active roster after five games.
“We committed to Rey early (after training camp) when we said he was going to be our middle linebacker,’’ said Miller. “Then he was injured. He actually came back a little early and we wanted to ease him back in. The position was always his as long as he performs at a high standard.
“Last week he started at a linebacker spot and that was dictated by team needs. Now we have an opportunity to slide him in at (middle) linebacker.’’
The Riders have been able to ease Williams back onto the active roster because of the solid play of McCullough in the middle. McCullough returns to a backup role after making eight starts as the middle linebacker. Williams also felt that McCullough played great during his stint at middle linebacker.
McCullough accepted the demotion despite being named the CFL’s Canadian player-of-the-week after an eight-tackle performance against the Eskimos last week.
McCullough accepted the demotion despite being named the CFL’s Canadian player-of-the-week after an eight-tackle performance against the Eskimos last week.
“I was there in 2006 and I get how he feels,’’ said McCullough, who surrendered his starting spot to Lloyd during the 2006 season after being sidelined with a knee injury. “I’ve been around longer than Rey so I’m a little more relaxed about it. Rey is only in his second year and I can understand how he’s frustrated. We’ve talked about it many times and we’re both good with what is taking place.’’
McCullough also expects to see plenty of action even with Williams getting the start.
“I might not get 60 or 65 snaps but I could see 15 or 20,’’ said McCullough. “I might even get five snaps. It’s not my decision. That’s up to the coaches and I’m not going to sweat it.’’
“I might not get 60 or 65 snaps but I could see 15 or 20,’’ said McCullough. “I might even get five snaps. It’s not my decision. That’s up to the coaches and I’m not going to sweat it.’’
mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com
Rey Williams (left) will start at middle linebacker for the first time since tearing his medial collateral ligament in his right knee on Aug. 7. Mike McCullough, who filled in for eight games, will return to backing up Williams.
Photograph by: Roy Antal and Don Healy, Leader-Post
Rey Williams (left) will start at middle linebacker for the first time since tearing his medial collateral ligament in his right knee on Aug. 7. Mike McCullough, who filled in for eight games, will return to backing up Williams.
Photograph by: Roy Antal and Don Healy, Leader-Post
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