Mitchell Blair
As the 2014 CFL season starts to wind down, the accomplishments of many players are starting to get noticed and one player getting a lot of attention for his play is the guy who mans the middle of what is the best defensive line in the league.
In his 7th year in the league and his 4th as a Rider, Tearrius George is having his best ever season. Its one that should certainly garner him a Western Division all-star nomination and perhaps his first ever league all-star designation.
George has had his play perhaps overshadowed by teammate John Chick, but look at the numbers and the two men have had comparable seasons. George is more concerned about team victories than personal numbers, but he admits this is his best ever campaign.
“Its been a compilation of many things, “George said after Thursday’s practice as the team gets ready for a big Western showdown against Edmonton. “Being in the same system under Richie Hall and Coach Chamblin has been big as well. It’s the first time I’ve been in the same system for a number of years so I think that has a big part to play in it.”
George is humble when asked about the potential of being a CFL all-star, but he will acknowledge its something that when the season is over he can sit back and look at it if it happens with a smile on his face.
“You know what, I don’t think about the numbers. That’s up to you guys, but I will say it would be nice to be recognized as one of the league’s best players.” George confesses. “It would mean a whole lot though. You strive to be the best at your job and have the respect of your peers. If I can get a league-honor for the first time, it would be special. I will think about that at the end of the season though and hopefully that’s a long ways away.”
The most impressive part of the season for the 31 year old has to be the amount of quarterback sacks he has had. With three games to go in the regular season. George has a personal high 12 sacks which leaves him just two behind league leader and teammate John Chick. Defensive line coach Todd Howard says that is the thing about George that stands out to him.
“Tearrius is having a monster season.” Howard says. “His aggressiveness is second to none and he has been consistent right from day one. He has the athletic ability to make play-after-play and he has tightened up his technique quite a bit. You are seeing that now and those 12 sacks are incredible. Guys don’t do that in college football or the NFL from a guy in the middle. He could end up with 15 sacks and for a defensive tackle to do that is out of this world.”
Head Coach Corey Chamblin has also been impressed with the play of the Kansas State grad.
“The biggest thing about Tearrius is he understands the game a little bit more, “Chamblin said with a smile on his face. “He has really picked up his game from the mental side and that’s the key as well. You can teach a guy how to do this and how to do that on the field, but he also has to have the mental recognition of what teams are trying to do and how to stop them from being successful. That’s the one thing I’ve seen out of Tearrius this year is that he is really making life difficult for o-lines because he is outsmarting them. Its been great to see the development.”
George’s efforts will be needed on Sunday when the Eskimos pay a visit. A win over Edmonton would keep thoughts of second place and home field advantage in the Western Semi-Final alive and would likely set up a playoff type encounter against the Eskimos at Mosaic on the last weekend of the regular season.
