When it comes to Roughriders linebacker Craig Butler, there's three words that easily describe him.
Professional football player.
It doesn't matter where or what he's doing, Butler is willing and able to do it.
Some eyebrows were raised, and heads turned when Butler was moved to linebacker and Brackenridge to safety. The move certainly had it's critics, but so far through four weeks it's definitely paying off.
Butler had probably his best game of the season so far against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, as he had three tackles, one sack and one interception. The interception was even TSN's highlight of the night. Fellow linebacker Rey Williams was named the CFL's defensive player of the week, but
"Expanding my resume a little bit," said Butler of his new role on the field. "It's always good to have."
One thing Butler has always been good at since coming into the league is being a ball hawk, he always seems to find a way to get to the pigskin, Butler says it's something he works on every day.
"It's the way I've played football since whenever I started playing football," said Butler. "You got to work on it in practice, the coach preaches getting to the ball. Everybody on defense, if you want to be making plays you got to be around the ball."
As Butler works on the craft, his defensive coordinator thinks it's more of a natural talent for Butler.
"I think he's just got a knack for it," said Richie Hall. "He just seems to track the ball, and hopefully he'll be able to track the ball more as the season goes on."
Overall, Hall isn't too surprised that Butler has been able to pick up on his new position so fast, but he has some other concerns.
"It's being able to hold up physically," said Hall. "I always ask him how's your body? Because he's always involved with those linemen on a consistent basis."
So far, Hall thinks Butler's body is hanging in there, as that's what Butler is telling him, but he admits Butler would probably tell him even if that wasn't the case.
According to Hall, Butler has been able to make a seamless transition from safety to linebacker, as he's doing a lot of the same things as he did before...just in a smaller space.
"He goes from playing in a big place, into playing into a smaller space," said Hall. "There's just more people involved in that smaller place."
All in all, Butler says the whole experience has been a whole lot of fun.
"Of course I am, it's football, there's no way you can't have fun out here."
