The Butler did it and he continues to do it, one of those early-season developments that has allowed Argos’ Victor Butler to showcase his pass rush skills coming off the edge.

Butler is a first-year CFL player with experience down south with the Dallas Cowboys.

In two games, Butler has been a beast, recording four sacks, forcing two fumbles and in general causing havoc in opposing team’s backfield.

The most consistent element to Toronto’s game in those two games has been its pass rush and its front seven overall.

The defensive line is anchored inside by Cleyon Laing and Ken Bishop with bookends Shawn Lemon and Butler.

Lemon had two sacks in the Argos’ loss to B.C., his 11th career multi-sack game.In terms of elite pass rushers, he is among the best.

Teams need to account for him and that added attention frees up Butler.

Butler cites coaching and solid play by his fellow front four brethren for his quick start to the season, but he’s also being modest.

Butler is quick off the ball, plays with great instincts and is mastering the one yard on the line of scrimmage and the changes he had to make coming from four-down football.

It may seem trivial to many, but rush angles need to be adjusted and Butler points to Lemon, among others, as the ones how have taken him under their wing.

“These are guys who could have seen me as rivals,’’ said Butler. “They could have showed me nothing. Instead, you’ve got guys who are going out of their way, during their down time when they could be kicking it up and enjoying a cold one, but they show me film on what to watch, how to perfect my rushing.

“It is a different game from down south. I was used to the angles in the NFL, but these guys have took me aside and said: ‘This is how you’re going to have success, these are the things you have to watch for.’ That’s why I attribute the level of success to the unit and personally those guys, the coaches and my D-line.”

According to Butler, that one yard provided an illusion, thinking he was much farther away.

It was Lemon who began to school Butler.

“Even during the game, it’s like: ‘Should I reach out and touch him (the offensive lineman)?’ Shawn Lemon and Laing said: ‘Hey, if you don’t feel you can touch him then you’re not close enough.’ It’s been a tremendous help.”

Butler is also a tremendous worker, often among the final players to leave the practice field, as he was Monday.

He attributes that work ethic to his dad, who taught him during his days in Pop Warner the importance of preparation and commitment.

WHITAKER TO RETURN?

Brandon Whitaker is one of a handful of players the Argos are hoping to have back on their game-day roster this week.

Two games into the season and the one major injury to sideline a starter has been to defensive back Joshua Mitchell, who hurt his knee in the season opener.

Whitaker wasn’t able to suit up against B.C., when the Argos had a short week to prepare. But this is shaping up as a normal football week with three full days of practice before the team is off to Ottawa for a Saturday night kickoff.

Whitaker was relegated to the one-game injured list for B.C., but he was back taking first-team reps on Monday.

Ex-Ottawa receiver Khalil Paden might also be a possibility, as could veteran Canadian offensive lineman J’Michael Deane, another former Redblack.

Whitaker is a veteran running back who understands Marc Trestman’s offence and is both reliable and accountable. His fill-in against B.C., James Wilder Jr., did fumble once.

“James ran hard and he has to take care of the football. He knows that,’’ said Trestman. “We have to take care of it collectively. He was very good in his pass protection. We always say that’s No. 1 and he did a good job in that area.”

WEBSTER LAUDS HIS MENTOR

Matt Webster is your prototypical Canadian, a glue guy who knows his role and accepts it, a low-maintenance guy with a high football IQ, the kind of guy every CFL covets.

It’s not likely he’ll make one of those game-winning touchdowns, but the 25-year-old defensive back makes winning plays and is a valuable piece on special teams.

Webster grew up in Calgary, but he headed East to Queen’s for his university football. He was drafted by Saskatchewan and played for Corey Chamblin, Toronto’s new defensive co-ordinator.

A free agent, Webster signed a deal with the Argos well before Marc Trestman and Jim Popp came on board, well before Chamblin was hired to oversee the defence.

He took a leap of faith before in his career, Webster deciding to stay in Regina well ahead of the signing of Chris Jones.

It was during his time with Chamblin when Webster began to expand his football IQ.

“For the first two years I was there (Regina), he was a big mentor,’’ said Webster. “He’s directly responsible for the player I am now. He opened up my eyes to the game within the game. You can have all the athleticism and talent and be successful out there as a player, but if you want to take your game to the next level there are so many more details you need to be attentive to when it comes to film study.

“He breaks down the intricacies of the game to a level I never understood before. No one was able to convey that to me and he was able to do that. He’s bringing it to this defence as well.”

fzicarelli@postmedia.com