Claude Wroten has three tattoos that tell you much about the football player and the man.
On one arm, the new Toronto Argonauts defensive tackle has the words, “Only God can judge me”; on the other, “To whom much is given, much is expected.” Inked on the midsection of the 6-foot-2, 295-pound man is a slogan he wrote himself: “Belly of The Beast.”
The 27-year-old lineman played two seasons with the St. Louis Rams before his NFL career fizzled thanks to a couple of failed drug tests due to marijuana smoking. He admits he once made questionable choices, but he isn’t bothered by those who want to judge him.
Wroten turned heads in last Friday’s 23-21 victory over the Calgary Stampeders, recording two sacks in just his first Canadian Football League game. The sizable Argo speaks humbly and respectfully, but with confidence. He knows he has special talent.
“I really did expect that of myself in the first game, and I expect it in every game from here on out, too,” Wroten said. “This might sound cocky to say, but it’s the way I feel: See if you can block me. I know you can’t do it.”
The native of Bastrop, La., has made a rapid transition to the Canadian game, taking his first glimpse at the Argos’ spring minicamp in Florida. He then reported midway through training camp due to problems crossing the border. Upon his arrival, he quickly won the job vacated by Eric Taylor, who signed with the B.C. Lions in the off-season.
“It’s just one new face, but he’s a loud face,” said defensive end Ronald Flemons. “His first game was special. He doesn’t know what he’s doing all the time yet, but once he does, the whole league needs to watch out.
“E.T. was a great player, and so was [retired defensive lineman Adriano] Belli, but Claude is just like a new level, from what we saw in the first game.”
Wroten isn’t hard to notice on the line. He’s fast, physical and, above all, distracting.
“That’s how I formulate my game; it’s beastly,” said Wroten, noting the signature slogan inked on his belly. “I’ve been told before that I look like a silverback gorilla. I love that, it’s a compliment. That’s how I want to play.”
The lighthearted lineman has eased in with teammates in a defensive group full of quick-witted personalities.
“He’s the American version of Belli, because he’s very outspoken and off the wall, a really unique personality,” said defensive end Ricky Foley. “Talent-wise, I’ve never been part of a better group. I’ve been in the NFL, too, and I’m not sure I’ve played with a better group.”
Wroten strengthens the defensive line by giving opposing teams a dilemma. Kevin Huntley, the Argos’ 6-foot-8, 293-pound CFL all-star, often gets double-teamed, but offences will be gambling by ignoring one of these linemen. The Argos’ line feels it can dictate play, happy to take on six, seven, eight men up front if it means giving their defensive backs an advantage in the backfield.
“They have to game plan differently for the Argos. Sometimes, when teams play a similar defence, they can carry over plays week to week,” Foley said. “But when you play us, you need entirely different things.”
Sacks don’t come easy with more men to block in the box, and the Argos recorded 34 quarterback sacks last season, second last in the CFL. Only the Edmonton Eskimos had fewer. However, the Argos gave up fewer points than any other defence in the league, 24.6 a game.
“Teams might put eight guys in the box against us, so we got our sacks when it counted last year,” Huntley said. “Our defence is about being where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there. We have a lot of structure in our defence. Man, we have so much in store for teams.”
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