9/24/2007 8:10:48 PM

Edmonton Vs Montreal #2

If there was ever an endorsement for morning practices in this league, I believe that game could have been it. The wake-up call itself was what felt like 6am Edmonton time, and to be kicking off at what would have been 11 am back home was definitely a concern for some. Honestly, I wasn’t as worried mostly because we’ve been on the field, and already in competitive situations by 10:45 am every day this year in practice. Still though, you never know how things will shake out in a city like Montreal. So many times I’ve gone in there and come close but end up wanting. For us to go in there and claim a win without scoring a touchdown, was almost as impressive as a blowout to me – but much more nerve racking.
If the saying is true that defence wins championships, (which it is) then we made major strides towards being a championship team during this game. Our defence was relentless and stifling to a team that possesses quite a few explosive threats. Even though they were without their trigger man behind center, the threats were still very much in play with the return of Ben Cahoon. He’s beaten teams that I’ve been on seemingly by himself in past years, and has been one of the most elusive and clutch receivers in the league for quite some time. Between Jason Goss and Shannon Garrett doing the job on him, he was held to one catch for 8 yards the likes of which I’ve never seen. To me, that may have been the most impressive of all the day’s events. However, watching our linebackers flying around had to be a close second. I constantly pick at Siddeeq Shabazz and tease him that he needs to make a play once in a while, and he does the same with me. The joke is that since he’s been here, that seems to be all he’s done. To watch Siddeeq, Shannon and A.J. Gass flying around and filling gaps like they were, working in unison with Ron Warner, Rob Brown and the rest of that front seven is inspiring. When we go out and score quick touchdowns and move the ball at will offensively it seems to spark the defence and give them life. Similarly, the same can be said about the offence when the defence is smacking people around. All of the sudden the offensive line feels that same surge from our own defensive line’s aggression, and takes it out on the men in front of them. We as receivers got motivated watching Goss and Morgan lock down their receivers. It is motivating to know that the moves that we had to pull off of the shelf to get separation from them in practice were helping them blanket the Alouettes receiving corps.
Offensively, we had our ups and downs especially considering the fact that we scored no touchdowns. Our kicker showed why he’s been one of the best in this league for such a long time, and we were able to sustain drives and keep our defence off of the field. That’s one of the things that we’ve struggled to do at times this season so for us to sustain long drives, sometimes from our own end zone, and also at the end of the game when it was truly needed – made me proud.
Our team is maturing before our very eyes it seems. I feel us getting closer to each other, and trusting that each man in the huddle knows what he’s doing on every play – and understands what is needed of him. The challenge in my eyes for us in the near future will be how well we can overcome adversity. Toronto is a team that like us is dynamic, hungry and just as in tune to the magnitude of the situation that we’re both in. This series with them has potential to be an explosive one.
That was a great win, but we still have so much left to do. ©

KP8