Dave Campbell
CFL.ca
The expression “Laying the Wood” is used in football to describe a defensive player’s ability to throw a big hit (with Calgary’s Nik Lewis and Toronto’s Cory Boyd being the exceptions). Players on that list would have to include Montreal’s Chip Cox, Hamilton’s Jamall Johnson, Calgary’s Brandon Browner, and B.C.’s Korey Banks just to name a few. A member of the Edmonton Eskimos looks like he’s making his case of being one of the CFL’s hardest hitters (yes of course safety Elliot Richardson but his turn was last week). Now we’re talking about second-year member of the green and gold Rod Davis who has laid out the punishment to Calgary’s Arjei Franklin and Toronto’s Andre Durie in recent games.
Davis has made his presence felt in other ways too. He’s returned two interceptions for touchdowns in his last two games vs. the Argonauts (74 yards) and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (22 yards). Davis’ pick-six against Hamilton tied the game at 21-21 erasing a 21-7 deficit and was the Eskimos second touchdown in 31 seconds in the second quarter.
Davis also recorded a career-high seven tackles to help the Eskimos win 37-35, the first two game win streak for Edmonton of the season. Davis’ performance earned him the CFL’s Defensive Player of the Week award. When was the last time Davis scored touchdowns in two consecutive games off interceptions?”
“I guess my last Madden game,” Davis joked. “I can’t even say it’s a dream come true because I never imagined scoring not one but two touchdowns. It’s a great blessing and I give all the praise and honour to the man up above.”
Davis is very appreciative of winning the player of the week honour but he’s quick to give praise to the other eleven guys on the field. Defence can be a very individualistic line of work. Unlike offence where you need all twelve players on the field to work together to make a play successful, on defence, it only takes one player out of twelve to make a great play.
Davis is a product of Southern Mississippi and was drafted by the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings back in 2004. He played 40 games for the Vikings and the Carolina Panthers in over three seasons collecting 43 tackles and one forced fumble. In 2008, Davis won an Arena Bowl championship with the Philadelphia Soul. That year, Davis posted the fourth most interceptions among rookies with three.
Davis arrived in Edmonton during training camp of 2009. He played in nine games and started in four. He’s played middle linebacker in the Canadian Football League, the fourth linebacker in a 3-4 defensive alignment (three down lineman), and now is the team’s starting weak-side linebacker replacing Mark Restelli who still can’t get back on the field even though he’s recovered from a knee injury.
Davis admits last season he was thinking too much instead of reacting. This season, he obviously feels much more comfortable. The big reason for that he says is linebackers coach Mark Nelson who was hired by head coach Richie Hall in mid-August following the departure of Dan Kepley.
“We meet more than the quarterbacks, but as you can see the last few weeks the play on the field has improved at linebacker,” explained Davis. “I have to give him a lot of credit; the coaching staff is putting me in the right position to make plays and giving me the opportunity to play at Will (linebacker).
“I always knew that I could play it and I had a lot of people that didn’t think that I could play Will linebacker.”
That’s likely because at 6’2, 240 lbs Davis is built more like a middle linebacker. The weak-side (Will) and strong-side (Sam) linebackers tend to be more like glorified defensive backs. Davis always believed he had the quickness and lateral movement to excel at the position.
“A lot of guys see my size and don’t think that I’m able to move but I can move pretty well not to toot my own horn,” Davis said. “Coach Nelson has helped me out so much in my alignment and making the game easier to me and just seeing things better.”
All the linebackers are thrilled with Davis’ performance because he’s earned the whole corps a couple of dinners because of his touchdown returns courtesy of Mark Nelson.
If the linebacking corps is as hungry off the field as they are on the field lately, Coach Nelson may have to tap Coach Hall on the shoulder for some extra cash.
NOTES: Slotback Kamau Peterson is set to make his return to the lineup in Hamilton on Friday. Peterson has missed the last 10 games with slight tear to his Achilles tendon which he originally hurt last season. After missing the last two games with a leg injury, defensive end Kai Ellis will draw back into the lineup. Defensive end Greg Peach has recorded seven defensive tackles and three quarterback sacks in the last two games.