Chip Cox has a lot of catching up to do
Linebacker says he is ready, now it’s up to Als’ coaching staff to decide if he really is
Despite spending 12 seasons with the Alouettes, Chip Cox said he never comes to training camp figuring he’s guaranteed a roster spot.
This season, after missing the first 16 days of camp, that might actually hold true.
The Als announced Tuesday the strong-side linebacker, who turns 35 on June 24, had signed a one-year contract. And he finally walked onto the field near the end of practice, in uniform. But most of his time was spent on the sideline.
“I still love football and have a passion to run around and play. I still feel like I can do it at a very high level,” said Cox, who believes he can still play for two more seasons. “I’m not going to say I’m not behind. I have to learn this defence. Definitely.
“I have to learn the playbook. I’ve never played in this defence. The terminology’s different. It’s not spot-dropping anymore.”
Cox suffered a season-ending knee injury Oct. 9, 2017, against Edmonton, but completed the game.
He was subsequently added to the retired list, not only due to the injury but so he could return home, to Columbus, Ohio, and be with his wife, who had her own health scare.
Cox became a free agent last February and worked as a regional scout for the Als during the winter, while he recovered and figured out whether or not he wanted to continue playing.
Once that was determined, he and general manager Kavis Reed quickly agreed to terms. Cox has been in Montreal for more than a week, but was suffering from a stomach virus. Then he returned home last weekend for his daughter’s graduation.
New head coach Mike Sherman said he was impressed by Cox’s play last season, when he produced 67 tackles in 15 games.
“Experience is valuable. What (a player does) in the game is even more valuable,” Sherman said. “But I’m sure he would admit he’s behind the eight ball. He has some catching up to do.”
Sherman said it must be determined whether Cox will dress for Saturday afternoon’s final exhibition game against Hamilton. The Als’ coaching staff, along with Reed, must declare their cuts and roster by 10 p.m. that night.
“Physically, I feel like I’m ready,” Cox said.
“We’ll have to see when I get out there. We’ll see mentally if I’m ready.”
Cox, who has spent his entire career with Montreal, has produced 900 career tackles along with 27 quarterback sacks. He has forced 25 fumbles while intercepting 23 passes and scoring six touchdowns.
A four-time Canadian Football League all-star, he was named the league’s outstanding defensive player in 2013.
Notes: The Als have released four players — receiver Alton Howard, defensive-back Drico Johnson, tailback Josh Robinson and kicker Zack Medeiros, who missed a 37-yard-field goal against Ottawa last Thursday.
Sherman was upset with the mistake-filled practice on Tuesday and let his feelings known in a profanity-laced tirade.
“We’ve had good practices and been focused. Today wasn’t one,” he explained. “It’s on the coaches, it’s on me and it’s on (the players). We better get it right ( Wednesday). We can’t stack a bad practice with a bad practice.”
Physically, I feel like I’m ready. We’ll have to see when I get out there ...mentally if I’m ready.