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The Alouettes O-line has a simple way to knock down any talk of “running back controversy” in Montreal.
Blast open holes so big any back could run for 100 or so.
It’s gotten to the point that the more Alouette reserve running backs prove themselves, the more they prove to be interchangeable parts.
Brandon Rutley discovered the joy of gaping holes cleared in front of him and cracked 100 yards from scrimmage. He was filling in during the Eastern Semi-Final for Tyrell Sutton, who only rushed for 142 in his playoff debut a year ago in the Semi-Final while subbing in for Brandon Whitaker.
The foundation could be the Als’ All-Canadian Front- 5, one of which, Jeff Perrett, has already punched his ticket to Vancouver for the Grey Cup Week festivities.
He doesn’t want to go alone.
“It would be a miserable week if I’m there by myself,” says the Mountain Man of a right tackle who was rightfully baffled, along with many CFL fans, by being honoured with Offensive Lineman of the Year honours in the East yet not making the All-Star team.
“We’re going to do everything we can this weekend to punch the rest of the guys’ tickets.”
“As long as we’re consistent and stick to the run and give it a chance to develop and not turn away from it too quick we can run against anybody,” vows the 6’6, 330-pound veteran of 8 years in the CFL trenches.
Turning away from it too quick is exactly what the Als did in losing their regular season finale’ at Tim Hortons Field, stumbling at the opportunity to lock down home field advantage in the Eastern Final.
The Ticats, by far, led the CFL in fewest yards per rush attempt at just 4.6 yards per carry. Sutton was held to just 5 yards on 5 carries before being knocked out of the game with an ankle injury.
“When you run it doesn’t always break open early,” says the 30-year old Perrett, who looks like he’s been growing his beard for at least 20. “Usually, second half, it opens up when you pound the defence. It should be good for us.”
The Als’ East division’s lineman of the year gives a pounding, but reveals he’s taken a pounding over the years. Playing through multiple seasons with such injuries as broken bone in his leg, torn labrum in the shoulder, arthroscopic surgeries on his knees like you take your car for oil changes, and bone chips in his ankles.
“Nothing serious and nothing to need a ‘Hero Medal’ for,” Perrett says with the modesty that’s kept him off some Football Reporters of Canada ballots.
“Missing only 4 games in my career (all in 2012) is nice,” Jeff says from under a Calgary Flames toque, no, not trying to curry favor with Western voters, he’s proudly Lethbridge, Alberta born. “I pride myself on that. Battle in there and do the best I can to help the team win.”
Could Jeff be a pain junkie?
“I guess, but it’s funny because my wife just thinks I complain too much and I’m a baby so when I go home she doesn’t give me any sympathy,” says the 2-time Grey Cup champ. “I think it’s good she pushes me.”
Maren is always telling her husband ‘it’s not that bad’.
“She’s a trooper at home with the kids,” the 3rd round pick of the 2006 CFL draft out of Tulsa, says of his college sweetheart. “Some days those critters (son Maddox turns 4 soon, daughter Milo turned ‘Terrible 2’ this fall) are hard to handle.”
“I can follow my dream and she’s sacrificed a lot for me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.”
On a day when Luc Brodeur-Jourdain is eating his own serving of humble pie, his chest burning from a Montreal Carabins t-shirt honouring a bet lost by the proud Laval alum, the veteran centre reveals his own theory on why this mountain of a man falls off the map of media attention.
“Obviously because of Josh Bourke, who has been playing so well dominating the tackle position from the start when they got here together,” theorizes the 4-year Alouette.
“You had Bourke, Chiu at centre, Scott Flory at guard, and there’s other teams in the East, right? So when you have All-Stars across the board, I think it’s tough to make your spot in there.”
“He’s smart, one of the smartest guys on this team,” character witness Ryan Bomben testifies. “It’s most of his career he’s been overlooked.”
Bomben wears his respect for Perrett all over his face.
“Yeah he inspired me coming in to camp with a fresh cut on his beard so I’ve been growing my since Week 3. He’s still got a few inches on me.”
When I tweeted pictures of Jeff and Ryan’s beards after Tuesday’s Als team meetings, another show of respect came from an unexpected source.
Michael Ola, who could not break into the starting All-Canadian group, yet is starting for Marc Trestman’s, albeit struggling, Bears.
Ola favourited and retweeted when I admitted that I voted Perrett for CFL Lineman honours.
