Stats don’t tell full story of Alouettes’ defence
Montreal has fewer sacks this season, but teams are getting rid of ball quicker
It was Jerry Jones, the bombastic showman, businessman, general manager and owner of the Dallas Cowboys who, in 2010, stated “stats are for losers. They relish in them.”
Halfway through the Canadian Football League regular schedule, only two Alouettes defensive players — John Bowman and rookie linebacker Branden Dozier — have more than one quarterback sack. And, had Dozier not recorded one last week against Winnipeg, Bowman would be alone.
“People just see results. They don’t see what’s happening on the field. You can’t get to the quarterback if they throw the ball in two seconds. You can’t. They could put you at left-tackle and you could block everyone in the league if they’re going to throw the ball in two seconds,” said veteran rushend John Bowman, who leads the team in sacks, with five. He had 10 last season and is the franchise career leader, with 117 over 12 seasons.
“Teams get rid of the ball against us fast. It’s not that we’re not getting there. Guys are getting rid of the ball or something ’s happening. But we’re working. It that wasn’t the case, we’d all be fired by now.”
Statistics, of course, can be skewed any way a person likes to suit his purpose. Many on social media this season have complained the Als aren’t getting to the quarterback. While it’s true their 11 sacks are the lowest in the Canadian Football League, they’ve officially pressured the quarterback 56 times, tied for the fourthhighest total in the league.
Teams are playing the Als differently in 2017 because of the variety of pressure defences the team runs. Quite simply, quarterbacks must have a quicker release against Montreal; that’s the only way they can counteract what they’re seeing. Two weeks ago, at Toronto, Ricky Ray had 17 swing passes on or behind the line of scrimmage. Those throws are impossible to defend. Instead, a defence must rally to the ball.
Conversely, the Als have allowed a CFL-low average of 4.6 yards per rush. The average passing play against Montreal is 7.5 yards, behind only Calgary’s 7.4yard average. So, something must be working.
“We’re No. 1 against the rush and No. 2 against the pass. That’s pretty damned good,” defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe said following Tuesday’s practice. “If our sack total isn’t high, but our yards per play is in the top three, we’re getting our job done.
“We can’t control when the ball comes out. What we can control is what we do once the ball’s thrown.”
In just three seasons with the Als, rush-end Gabriel Knapton had 29 sacks. This year, he has one. People have complained Knapton’s nonproductive and hardly visible. But the Als changed their ratio on the defensive-line this season, meaning Knapton’s play time has been reduced. He has shared active duty with Bowman so the team can utilize Canadian Jesse Joseph and, recently, J.S. Blanc.
“Everyone wants to see sacks. I love sacks. I’m a defensive-lineman,” Knapton said. “That’s not what it’s all about. You can say a knockdown is just as good as a sack. We haven’t changed much. I know myself I haven’t changed as a passrusher.
“We’re working on the slightest things that will get you there one step faster. If they’re getting the ball out faster, we need to get to the quarterback faster. We check schemes out. What can help us be one second, one step quicker?”
The Als have a 3-6 record heading into Thursday’s home game against Ottawa and, while the team shares this record collectively, Montreal’s offence has been the major culprit behind the club’s shortcomings and deficiencies. This isn’t earth-shattering news. Do the math. The Als are scoring an average of 20.8 points on offence while allowing 25 points. That’s why teams have losing records.
And the Als’ defence has been put in some unenviable positions due to turnovers that have resulted in some shorter fields.
“People forget this is the CFL,” Bowman said, shrugging. “In 2010 ... we gave up 50 points (and 40 or more twice despite a 12-6 record). We give up 41 and 38 (this season) and everybody thinks we’re s--. We gave up 34 to a 7-2 team in double overtime. That’s a pretty good performance. We’ve had games where we’ve given up no touchdowns.”
Defensive players such as Bowman continue to remain optimistic Montreal’s offence, given the amount of veterans it possesses, will eventually find its groove. Having said that, what other choice do they have?
“Am I going to quit on my team? Even if our offence averages 35 points per game, I’m not going to stop playing hard,” Bowman said. “I have to because my name’s on the back of my jersey. I represent my family. And my organization’s on the front.”
The Als will make some significant defensive changes for Thursday’s game.
Defensive-tackle Ray Drew was released on Monday. He’ll be replaced by Davon Walls, making his Montreal debut. Walls, 6-foot-7 and 290 pounds, signed with the Als earlier this month after attending training camp with the New York Jets.
And Canadian Tevaughn Campbell, the player for whom Montreal traded backup quarterback Vernon Adams, will start at field cornerback for veteran import Brandon Stewart. Campbell will be backed up by non-import Michael Carter.
Offensive-tackle Jovan Olafioye, who left last week’s game with back spasms, has recovered, while tailback Tyrell Sutton returns to the starting lineup following a onegame absence.
Teams get rid of the ball against us fast. It’s not that we’re not getting there. Guys are getting rid of the ball ... .