Charleston Hughes has a lot to share

SASKATOON — Tobi Antigha is still trying to figure out the intricacies of playing defensive end in the CFL.

On Feb. 2, the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ sophomore got a new learning resource — a 6-foot-1, 246-pound resource who has led the league in sacks three times in his 10-year career.

“You try to take every little advantage you can — and Charleston is a big advantage for us,” Antigha said in reference to Charleston Hughes, whom the Roughriders acquired from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on that day in February. “He brings a vast array of knowledge and experience. When you have a resource like that, you have to use him …

“Every day, I try to get with him on the practice field when I’m not participating in a drill. I’ll pull him off to the side and we’ll go through handwork. He’ll let me pick his brain about how to pass rush. He has been a huge help not only on the field but in the meeting room. If you keep your eyes open, he’ll let you see what he sees.”

Hughes, 34, has seen a lot since breaking into the CFL in 2008. He has played in 147 career regular-season games and has recorded 99 sacks — second only to the 121 registered by the Montreal Alouettes’ John Bowman among active players.

As a proven pass-rusher in the CFL, Hughes has tips to share with the Roughriders’ younger defensive linemen. Players like Antigha, Chad Geter, Curt Maggitt and even Zack Evans and Willie Jefferson can learn a thing or two from Hughes.

“(Having him around) will be a benefit,” Roughriders head coach-GM Chris Jones said. “I heard him today when he came off (the field). He and Zack were having a discussion of how they were going to play something. There’s a part of that that you just can’t coach.”

And it’s a part of the game that Hughes has accepted.

“It’s something that comes with being a 10-year vet,” said the product of Saginaw, Mich. “A lot of the guys look to me for information, look to me for how I made it this long and look to me to see how they can improve their game. They just look for input.”

Hughes is willing to share, even though he admits it’s not an easy thing to do.

“Most people don’t give honest information to help another player who’s trying to make the team, just like I’m technically trying to make the team too,” he said.

“It’s not easy to share knowledge and try to pass down wisdom, but you’ve got to step out of the box. If you want to win a championship, it’s something you’ve got to do.”

Hughes began his CFL career with the Calgary Stampeders, whose defensive co-ordinator at the time was Jones. The Stamps cut Hughes during training camp in 2008, but brought him back after another player got hurt — and Hughes became a fixture.

He since has led the league in sacks in 2013, ’16 and ’17. He has been named a West Division all-star six times (2010, 2012-13, 2015-17) and a CFL all-star four times (2012-13, 2016-17).

Last season, Hughes had 41 tackles, 19 quarterback pressures, 11 sacks, two tackles for losses and one forced fumble in 14 regular-season games. He added five tackles and a sack in the post-season to help Calgary reach the Grey Cup game.

He’s a two-time CFL champion, having won Grey Cup titles with the Stamps in 2008 and 2014.

But the Stampeders stunned many in the league when they traded Hughes to Hamilton on Feb. 2. They likely were surprised themselves when the Tiger-Cats flipped Hughes to Saskatchewan later that day for quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.

Hughes has spent training camp adjusting to his new surroundings and his new teammates. He knows Jones from their days together in Calgary, but Hughes said the Roughriders’ head coach has a different practice style and tempo than those favoured by Calgary’s staffs over the years. That, Hughes said, has been “a big change.”
So is wearing green and white.

“But being with a different team isn’t always a bad thing,” Hughes said. “Sometimes change is good.

“So far, it has been great for me. I’ve been making plays, running around, doing good things on and off the field, working with younger players — just dropping my flavour on the team, really.”

His flavour includes a gregarious personality. Hughes is as outgoing as they come, he’s quick to laugh and he loves to stir the pot.

In 2017, he and then-Roughriders offensive tackle Derek Dennis had a serious back-and-forth on Twitter before the Stamps entertained Saskatchewan on July 22. Hughes got the last laugh, registering three sacks in Calgary’s 27-10 victory.

That part of his personality didn’t wane when Hughes was traded to Saskatchewan.

“That’s natural for me,” he said. “That’s showing that you can have fun and not be reckless and still play good football.”

On Friday, Hughes is expected to see action as Saskatchewan closes its two-game pre-season schedule at Mosaic Stadium … against the Stampeders.

Hughes stressed that he doesn’t have any hard feelings against the team that sent him packing — and then he grinned.

“I treat them like an ex-girlfriend,” he said. “Although we don’t communicate anymore, I’ve established that, ‘You go your way and I’ll go my way. In the end, if I was to see you anywhere, I will say hi.’ ”

And does that include an on-field greeting for Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell?

“I’ll say hi to him in my own certain way,” Hughes said. “I’m pretty sure he’ll see me from time to time.”