CFL’S ‘DOUBLE-STANDARD’
Ban harsher on player than coach
Canadian Football League commissioner Jeffrey Orridge called the punishment levied this week against Kent Austin “unprecedented.” But Alouettes receiver Duron Carter, who was also on the receiving end of CFL justice this season, said he believes things played out as expected.
“It’s humorous. The double standard is what the players’ association said. That’s the world we live in, if you expected different,” Carter said after the Als practised Thursday at Stade Hébert. “It’s just like if I didn’t receive my cheque that game, but was still able to play.”
Austin, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ head coach, has been suspended from Saturday’s home game against Calgary, and has been fined $10,000, for making contact with an official last weekend during a game at Saskatchewan. But Austin has only been banished from the sidelines this weekend. He’ll be permitted to watch the game from the spotter’s booth and undoubtedly will be in contact through a headset with his coaches and players.
“Coaching from the box is still being on the headset,” Carter said. “It’s like a euphemism. That’s what the situation is. They found a euphemism to get him away ... to be there while not really being there.”
Orridge told the Canadian Press he won’t be monitoring Austin’s activities during the game. On Tuesday, the day before the commissioner rendered his decision, Austin told reporters he didn’t anticipate any further discipline.
Austin made what he said was accidental contact with Tom Cesari, a Montreal native with four years’ CFL experience, during the fourth quarter of a 20-18 loss. After the Ticats were penalized for illegal procedure. Austin walked toward Cesari on the sidelines and swung his hand in frustration, slapping the official’s hand. Cesari threw a second flag, a 10-yard objectionable-conduct penalty.
This marks the first time in league history that a head coach won’t be allowed on the sideline for a game. It’s also believed to be the largest fine levied against a coach.
In Montreal’s second game this season, Carter was ejected after knocking down Ottawa head coach Rick Campbell following the receiver’s decision to walk directly in front of the Redblacks’ bench after scoring a touchdown. Carter was fined by the Als and the CFL, along with eventually being suspended one game. Carter, through the players’ association, appealed the suspension, although it was upheld by an independent arbitrator.
Carter missed the Als’ 19-14 loss to Ottawa on Sept. 1. “I don’t think either of us should have been suspended,” he said. “Had I been able to play in that game ... I feel like we win that game.
“I guess we have to focus on following the rules.”
As the Als prepare for Sunday’s home game against the Toronto Argonauts — and the debut of interim head coach Jacques Chapdelaine — it’s clear the new boss remains committed to the offensive personnel despite the team’s scoring struggles.
While there will be at least one change on defence — the return of defensive-back Billy Parker, who missed six games with a groin injury — Chapdelaine isn’t tinkering with the offence, all of the same pieces remaining in place.
“There’s a lot of pressure on us this game,” Carter said. “It’s hard for me to come out, as one of the voices of the team, and say we’re working hard and it’s going to be different every week. It gets kind of repetitive.”
But Carter realizes, for one week at least, Chapdelaine has given the offensive players a vote of confidence. Depending on how the Als fare, we’ll know if the problem was the talent or previous coaching regime. Chapdelaine has replaced Jim Popp, who remains general manager, and will call the offensive plays, although Anthony Calvillo remains the coordinator and will continue coaching the quarterbacks.
“We all feel like we’re a good team. It’s just that the results aren’t there,” Carter said. “We have all the players in the world, but we have to get the results. Jacques is more focused on getting us more focused on each play and learning how to win.”
The Als have lost nine of their last 11 games. With a 1-5 record at Molson Stadium, they have the league’s poorest home mark. And they were only 3-6 there last season, dropping their final three games at the McGill University venue. Coincidentally, the Als are nearly sold out this weekend.
While Chapdelaine must work hard to improve the Als’ offensive production, he must also restore a sense of pride and discipline. While he told the players Thursday they must relearn how to win by overcoming adversity, re-establishing law and order might be the bigger issue.
“There has been a lackadaisical attitude adopted this year,” said Carter, seemingly in the middle of much of it. “It wasn’t a great work environment to produce. If we were 10-3, everybody could be relaxed, joke around with a few mistakes here and there. That’s not our case.
“Jacques has brought back a culture of working hard and staying focused ... being there every play.”
Note: Rush-end DeQuin Evans, who hasn’t played this season due to an injury, has taken a fair amount of reps the last two days with the defensive starters. But for Evans, signed as a free agent from Calgary, to be activated, another import would have to come off the roster. “We’ve talked about it,” Chapdelaine said. “Some pieces of the puzzle need to fall into place for that to happen.”
Coaching from the box is still being on the headset. It’s like a euphemism. That’s what the situation is.