REGINA —

There haven’t been many playing at a higher level than Cory Greenwood, one of those top-tier defenders who has been allowed to fly under the radar.

He’s far from flourishing in anonymity because any opposing offence facing the Argos can roll the tape and see Greenwood make tackles from his linebacker spot.

He gets no publicity, or very little, because he’s not likely to shoot off his mouth, take some stupid penalty that draws attention to himself, or pile up sacks.

Greenwood is a pro who has settled into his role nicely in the Rich Stubler system.

Greenwood lost weight in the off-season, has adjusted well, is smart and athletic, in essence the complete package to play freely and make plays.

An added bonus this season — his third in the CFL and all with the Argos — is that the club wants to do whatever is necessary to avoid subjecting Greenwood to excess contact in a sport where contact happens on every snap or change in possession.

What the Argos decided was to keep Greenwood off special teams to help mitigate more contact than what is required on any given down.

A year ago, Greenwood twice was sidelined with concussions. When he played, you can sense the system didn’t fit his style, a more traditional gap cancellation approach to defence that held an athletic asset such as Greenwood back.

A free agent, Greenwood decided to come back when he got a call from Rich Stubler, Toronto’s new/old defensive co-ordinator who talked to Greenwood about his way of running a defence and how Greenwood would excel.

Greenwood has recorded eight tackles in each of the Argos’ two games this season.

Keeping Greenwood healthy has been one of the priorities in Argoland and making sure players such as Greenwood and everyone else, for that matter, on defence is put in a position to make plays.

“He’s had a couple of concussions in his history,’’ said Argos head coach Scott Milanovich. “We’re trying to keep that portion, and not that defence isn’t violent enough. But special teams can be worse.”

Milanovich knows how Greenwood summons all he has on defence, but the extra rest by not playing on special teams keeps Greenwood more refreshed when he lines up at linebacker.

“Hopefully it takes a couple of shots off him,’’ said Milanovich of Greenwood not playing on specials.

Admittedly, Greenwood knows how he’s envied by others in a league where many on both sides of the ball line up on specials.

Players want to play, but looking back on last season Greenwood uses the word “handcuffed’’ when describing his role in the defence.

Stubler allows for freedom and expression, but he also demands players communicate and be on the same page.

In Week 1, it was disjointed.

“There are plenty of ways to skin a cat,’’ said Greenwood of defences and how co-ordinators embrace whatever philosophy. “Stoobs’ way allows guys for guys to make plays. I am athletic and I can use that ability to not get blocked and go make that tackle. It sounds so easy.”

The call from Stubler to Greenwood, who hadn’t even signed a deal having been a free agent, convinced the Concordia product to return to the Argos.

“We’d always look at the Calgary defence and they were so good,’’ said Greenwood of the Stubler-led Stamps. “I was always watching their linebackers and they were floating back there making plays. I thought this could be a good defence for me.”

Greenwood enjoys the system because it’s more practical given the absence of a playbook.

“I feel like everyone is getting it,’’ said Greenwood. “Compared to Week 1, we got a lot better and if we continue to build like that I think we’ll be very good at the end of the year.”