Quick and bodily linebacker Williams comfy with Alouettes

Article content material

TROIS-RIVIÈRES — After 4 seasons in Ottawa, Avery Williams isn’t sure what number of video games he received. However after the Redblacks reached the Gray Cup in 2018, his rookie season, it was downhill from there, the staff profitable solely 10 of fifty contests.

Article content material

“Issues simply couldn’t get collectively over there,” Williams stated on Monday, following the Alouettes’ coaching camp observe at Stade Diablos.

Article content material

If anybody required a change of surroundings it was Williams, 28, whose hand was compelled after the Redblacks signed free-agent Jovan Santos-Knox. Williams shortly got here to phrases with Montreal and is anticipated to be the Als’ beginning middle-linebacker this season, changing Micah Awe, who signed with Calgary.

“It’s loopy how a lot you pressure for greatness, you see how nice the blokes round you’re, however you simply don’t have that remaining piece to get it there,” Williams stated. “However I noticed it in Montreal. That’s why I really feel comfy right here.

“If you’re not profitable, any individual’s going to get fired,” he added. “That’s the way it goes. On this (recreation) that we play there’s no job safety. When you’re not doing all your job proper, any individual’s obtained to go.”

Article content material

Article content material

Whereas the Redblacks struggled, the 5-foot-10, 223-pound Williams held up his finish. In 59 profession video games, he produced 293 defensive tackles, six quarterback sacks, two interceptions and 6 compelled fumbles. He additionally scored a landing his rookie season. He was an East Division all-star in 2021 regardless of Ottawa’s 3-11 report.

Williams believes his finest play is but to return, and he’ll be relied on closely in a defence that has had its share of personnel turnover.

“In any system (the middle-linebacker) is the quarterback of the defence,” stated Williams, a Baltimore native. “That’s your defence. If something goes flawed, you place it on my shoulders. If the blokes do nice or make an amazing play, you reward them for it. But when one thing goes flawed, come proper at me.

Article content material

“That is the staff I really feel most comfy with,” he added. “I’ve been on this system earlier than, though it has modified loads. I’ve been round these folks earlier than. A whole lot of dudes on the staff are guys I’ve competed in opposition to.”

The transfer to Montreal will reunite Williams with defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe, who served in the identical capability with Ottawa in 2018 and ’19. And the coach is happy to have a extra skilled and mature athlete now at his disposal than the uncooked rookie he inherited 5 years in the past.

“Bodily participant,” Thorpe stated. “He performs with confidence and may quarterback our defence. I’ve obtained expertise with him and may communicate to his character within the locker room and on the sector. I’ve first-hand information of him.

Article content material

“He continues to get higher. The sport at all times strikes quick for a participant coming in. To observe his maturation by means of the league, you’ll be able to see his confidence stage. There’s loads of shifting elements on offence, however he has developed an amazing understanding of this recreation. You possibly can see how briskly he performs. We introduced him in right here for a motive. He performs quick and bodily, has pure leverage and there’s loads of issues he can do this make it actually powerful (for the offence). He causes suits for linemen as a result of he can get underneath their pads and has an amazing capability to sift by means of blocks and get himself to the ball. When he arrives, he arrives with affect.”

[email protected]

twitter.com/HerbZurkowsky1