Jack Bedell
CFL.ca
INSPIRATION
in·spi·ra·tion n.
1. Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity; The condition of being so stimulated.
2. An agency, such as a person or work of art, that moves the intellect or emotions or prompts action or invention.
3. Something, such as a sudden creative act or idea, that is inspired.
There’s just no better word to describe the impact Jason Tucker’s return to Commonwealth Stadium had on his team last Thursday. The 83s printed on the undershirts of Edmonton’s receivers said it all.
If Tucker walking into the Eskimos’ locker room before the game, just days removed from surgery to repair broken vertebrae in his neck, wasn’t enough to inspire his teammates to go out and beat the B.C. Lions, Kamau Peterson’s third-quarter reminder of Tuck’s presence certainly was.
With his team down by 14 points in the second half and needing a first down to keep a drive going to get back into the mix, Peterson made an incredible grab over the middle and was helicoptered by a trio of Lions defenders.
As soon as he popped to his feet, Peterson pulled up to his jersey to reveal Tucker’s numbers printed on his undershirt. And the comeback was on. In a word: inspiration.
After that, the Esks reeled off 25 unanswered points, and one by one all of the Eskimos’ receivers got their chances to make plays and pull up their jerseys to show Tuck’s 83.
It was an amazing display of team chemistry, determination, and camaraderie, and the win was a fitting tribute to Jason Tucker and the Eskimo organization. Truly, a great sports moment I’m glad I witnessed.
BIG O
Whether it’s been long, sustained drives featuring Avon Cobourne and the running game or quick-strike bombs to Kerry Watkins, Brian Bratton, or Jamel Richardson, the Montreal Alouettes’ offence has been smoking this year. They lead the league in points and TDs scored and are near the top of the charts for every category of production.
Last Thursday’s win over the Hamilton Ticats was definitely no exception. The Als dropped 40 points on the Ticats, piling up 443 yards of total offence.
Cobourne racked 119 yards on the ground and Anthony Calvillo passed for 326 yards and a couple of majors. But even with all that production considered, the most impressive offensive performance of the night had to be the work put in by the Als’ offensive line.
Facing a Ticats squad desperate for pressure, Montreal’s o-line surrendered only one sack, giving Calvillo plenty of time to work the ball downfield. And with time, Calvillo’s been money all season.
The Als’ offensive line was just as effective blowing holes for Cobourne to do his damage and that really allowed Montreal to close out the win in the second half against the Ticats. That’s something the Alouettes failed to do in its three losses this year.
What impressed me most about the Alouettes’ o-line last week, though, was how often Bryan Chiu or one of his linemates ran downfield to help a teammate to his feet after a play or to celebrate after a score. That kind of enthusiasm and spirit is infectious and it’s bound to pay dividends down the line.
INJURY LIST? WHAT INJURY LIST?!?
No John Chick, no Andy Fantuz, no Darian Durant, no Wes Dressler, no D. J. Flick, no Leron Mitchell, no Glenn January, no Kevin Scott? No worries.
Pile on Matt Dominguez and Carl Berman during the game? No problem.
No matter who’s quarterbacking, who’s blocking, who’s covering, or who’s rushing the passer, the Roughriders just keep trucking along. Team-style.
Against a Calgary Stampeders squad favored by most, if not all pundits, to pull out the home win, the Riders improved their record to 6-0 behind another solid performance by Gang Green’s swarming defence and the stellar play of MOP frontrunner Wes Cates.
It might not have showed up in the sack column, but the pressure the Riders’ D put on Henry Burris absolutely stymied the Stampeders’ offence and kept Calgary’s weapons out of rhythm and off-balance deep into the second half.
That was more than enough time for Cates, Luca Congi and Marcus Crandell to put up the 22 points Saskatchewan would need for the W. And it had to be a sweet one considering the opponent, the odds, and the ouches.
ALL D, ALL DAY
Take Dominique Dorsey’s punt-return TD and Ryan Dinwiddie’s 85-yard bomb for a major out of the mix, and you’d have to classify last week’s Bombers/Argos tilt as a flat-out, old-fashioned defensive brawl.
The two defences combined to tally seven sacks and three turnovers and limited offensive production to 556 yards.
All that adds up to tough days at work for Kerry Joseph and Ryan Dinwiddie. Neither pivot managed to move the ball with any consistency last Friday and that led to the virtual invisibility of the teams’ relative rushing games.
Given that these two squads’ line-ups read like roll call at the East Division All-Star announcements, it’s hardly a shock that Brown, Charlton, Haywood, O’Shea, Fletcher, Steinauer, Pile and Wheaton got called over the PA more than the names of any offensive playmakers.
Maybe I’m atypical, but I have to admit I liked it that way for a change.
RWB’S FIRST ACT AWARDS
With a full third of the games in the books now, it’s time to hand out a few props and flops to the early-season standouts.
1) The Houdini Award – With the number of top-shelf injuries the Riders have suffered so far this season, the team’s 6-0 record is nothing short of magical.
2) The Comeback POY (so far) – After a tough 2007 season on the field and at home, it’s wonderful to see Anthony Calvillo on top of his game and on top of the league’s passing stats again.
3) The Shock and Awe Award – Wes Cates has been a one-man wrecking crew in every way possible this year to date.
4) Catch of the Year – We’ve seen some amazing grabs this season, but Kamau Peterson’s human turn-style catch against the Lions gets my vote for tops so far.
5) The Mr. Excitement Award – With a nod toward Nik Lewis, I have to give this one to Tristan Jackson. If Trismo is back and the kick is in the air, I’m watching.
6) The Waldo Award – Can you find Casey Printers in the stats book this season?
7) The Hole-Digger Award – Has to go to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. I’ve heard of giving yourself a challenge, but 1-5 out of the gates? That’s uphill for real.
8) The Jekyll and Hyde Award – The Calgary Stampeders have gone from dominating defence to powerful offence to sieve secondary to sleepwalkers over the course of the year and it’s tough to tell which team will be lining up week to week.
9) The No-Experience-No-Worries Award – First-time head coach Ken Miller is running away with this one in 2008, but an honourable mention has to go out to the Als’ Marc Trestman. Both have definitely gotten their teams buying in to what they’re selling.
10) The MOP-to-Be Prize – Wes Cates is out front in my book, but Anthony Calvillo and Ricky Ray are coming on strong.
WEEK 7 PREDICTIONS DOOMED TO GO WRONG
After six weeks of the season, my picks record sits at an even 12-12. To paraphrase Bombers head man Doug Berry, that’s unacceptable, not bad, just unacceptable. So I’m calling in reinforcements this week from one of my most-knowledgeable football advisors, Montreal Alouettes cheerleader Liz V.
We’re going with Toronto, Saskatchewan (probably would’ve gone with Calgary on my own but Liz had a great argument, “I’m guessing the Riders will be on fire and if they’re not, their fans will literally light a fire under them to pull out another win.”), Montreal, and Edmonton.
Hopefully, with Liz’s help I can stay above .500!
UP NEXT
Check back early next week for my take on all the Week 7 action and I’ll weigh in with some more early-season MOP debate.
Until then, take care. Definitely try your best to stay off the nine-game injury list!
Jack B. Bedell is a Professor of English at Southeastern
Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana and has followed the CFL for
nearly three decades.
