Ed Philion
CFL.ca
Well with the playoffs only a few weeks away it’s about that time when us media-types try and figure out ways in which the Alouettes will win this year’s Grey Cup. Although the last few times the Alouettes went to the big dance they walked away empty handed, this team might just have enough in the tank this time around.
The first reason, although probably the least important, is that the path to get to the championship game doesn’t have the same speed bumps or level of opposition that other Alouettes teams have had to go through to get there. With a weak East Division it’s probable that for the first time in the history of the crossover a West Division team has a legitimate chance at winning a first round playoff game. However, to ask that same team to travel across country twice in two weeks and then beat the Als in a hostile Olympic stadium seems very unlikely. Time change, travel and home field advantage will all but ensure an Alouette victory in the Eastern Final.
Once at the Grey Cup, this year’s comeback player of the year and probable league MOP Anthony Calvillo is playing his best all around football since entering the league. A.C seems to have found that element of his game that makes great players, battle tested champions. Thanks to a wealth of talented skilled players and a great mix of youth and veteran leadership along the offensive line, scoring points shouldn’t be a problem. It’s the playoffs don’t forget, so don’t expect that offense to perform at their regular season clip but they should be able to put up enough to win.
Early on this season the Alouettes and their return teams were an obvious weaknesses that seems to have been shored up with the addition of return specialist Larry Taylor. His ability to shorten the field, at times have allowed A.C. & Co. to make short work of opposing defences. Newcomers Shea Emery and Paul Woldu along with perennial pit-bull Walter Spencer have terrorized the rest of the CFL with their kamikaze approach to tackling. As long as this unit can continue to get positive yards returning the ball and limit the big play (i.e. Tony Tompkins circa Grey Cup 05’). Als fans can get an early start on the 2-4 of Molson.
Defensively, at times this unit has shown flashes. We have seen what they are capable of when their front four gets after the quarterback. Their ability to control a game with just four down lineman give defensive coordinator Tim Burke plenty of options. Although injuries have forced shuffling in the secondary, the Alouettes have the luxury of arguably the best man to man cover corner, Mark Estelle. Still, at times and not on a consistent basis has this unit shown the type of aggressive play calling that you need when you’re up by a score and you desperately need a stop. We’ve seen that this group is capable (i.e. BC Lions goal line stand) however I’ve never felt comfortable in a bend but don’t break defensive mentality. You can bet there will be a time or two in a championship game that this group is going to need a stop. We’ve seen it before are we to see it again. Let’s hope so, because I love parades.
Ed Philion played eight seasons along the defensive line for the Montreal Alouettes. He was a three-time East Division All-Star and helped the Alouettes win the Grey Cup in 2002. Currently, he is a member of the Alouettes’ broadcast team on CJAD Radio in Montreal.
