Rick Moffat
CFL.ca
Perhaps Als kick returners have been haunted since the tragedy of Chris Wright. Let’s hope for Rashaud Slaughter’s sake that this horror story doesn’t have a sequel.
Wright was a former CFL All-Star and Special Teams Player of the year. However, he blew out his knee on the very first day of the Alouettes’ very first day of training camp in Montreal.
He would never be the same on the football field.
The next returner in line blew out both his knees. The guy after that had explosiveness too—but also suffered knee issues.
Thomas Haskins was forced into retirement due to a brain tumour even before being handed his 2002 Grey Cup ring.
So while the Alouettes have been blessed with remarkable stability at quarterback in the Calvillo era, special teams returners may as well job auditions by running through revolving doors.
Other impressive Alouette returners include: Winston October, Haskins, Ryan Terry, Jeremi Rudolph, Tyree Davis, Donta Green, Keith Stokes, “Itty-Bitty” Ezra Landry, Jason Armstead, Bashir Levingston, Leroy Vann, Ian Smart, Avon Cobourne, Andrew “The Hawk” Hawkins (now with the NFL’s Bengals) and the ones who got away Larry Taylor and Chad Owens.
This season, fans have been treated to the likes of Tim Maypray, Diamond Ferri, Brian Bratton, De’Audra Dix and most recently Perry Floyd.
For the men who make a living holding onto the football at the most critical moments, holding onto steady employment has been difficult in Montreal.
Just ask Floyd.
After he failed to live up to expectations in recent weeks, the man who started the season with the Blue Bombers was given his release by the Als Thursday morning and was sent back home to Charlotte by nightfall.
Enter Slaughter to the “Slaughter House 5” of football positions. He will be looking to hold onto the job for a while.
“He can be a difference-maker in this league,” says General Manager Jim Popp. “What we saw at camp we hope we see again. He was winning yards other guys weren’t. He just had an unfortunate setback.”
“He’s one of those guys with no fear.”
Popp would rather employ players that do just that, rather than play with a flashy attitude.
“The best ones have a subtle move, and then take off. They can make the first guy miss and make a move on the move.”
Slaughter crossed paths with Alouette defensive lineman Jermaine McElveen at the University of Alabama-Birmingham for a year, but Popp didn’t need any recommendations.
The five-foot-seven, 24-year old from Adamsville, AL was scouted by the Als during his college career and showed flashes at the running back position at 2011 training camp.
“We didn’t need another back, but we just had to find a way to keep him around.”
Cheers, Rashaud. Here’s hoping you stay long enough to make Alouettes fans remember your name.
