Als counting on defence to set tone
After breaking 13-game losing streak in Regina, Als look for hometown followup
The first time Branden Dozier contacted Joe Mack, seeking a private workout, the Alouettes’ assistant general manager wanted to know how the player got his phone number.
Dozier, a linebacker in his second season with the team, won’t even confirm it was Mack — not that it matters at this juncture. The 5-foot-11, 201-pounder was promptly signed to his first pro contract and has been a regular contributor since on the strong side. Dozier’s presence has mostly reduced returning veteran Chip Cox to special-teams duty.
“I still wanted to play and was in shape,” said Dozier, who was released after attending rookie mini- camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016. Instead, he returned to UNC Charlotte, completed his studies in kinesiology, and feared football might be over.
“It’s been a wild ride. Honestly, I was at the point where I felt football was over,” added the 24-yearold native of Topeka, Kan. “When you’re at almost the highest level and it’s taken away from you, being out a year, I’m surprised I’m here ... the route I had to take. A lot of people in my position wouldn’t have bothered.”
Dozier has a penchant for big plays. In 18 games last season, including 11 starts, he produced 66 defensive tackles, 15 more on special teams, forced two fumbles — one of which he returned 20 yards for a touchdown against Calgary — had two sacks and knocked down four passes.
In the Als’ victory last Saturday at Saskatchewan, Dozier set the defensive tone, intercepting a Brandon Bridge pass on the final play of the first quarter, returning it 63 yards. Although Montreal quarterback Drew Willy fumbled on the opening play of the second period, the interception was one of four produced by the visitors.
“Since Day One, we’ve talked about takeaways,” head coach Mike Sherman said. “I feel like this group we have in our secondary have excellent hands and a nose for the ball. It doesn’t surprise me. I’m a little upset they didn’t get a pick-six. I always talk to them about scoring. I’m always on them about scoring.
“I was really pleased with the frequency we had in relation to takeaways. They definitely make a difference in the game. They took possessions away from them and gave them to us. That was a big factor in the game.”
With Montreal’s offence continuing to work out its kinks — it still scored only one touchdown against the Roughriders, paced instead by five Boris Bede field goals — it seems it’ll be up to the defence again on Friday, when the Als host the Ottawa Redblacks at Molson Stadium (7:30 p.m., TSN, RDS, TSN 690 Radio).
And the Als won’t be facing a team’s second- and third-string quarterbacks this week as they attempt to win a second consecutive game for the first time since November 2016. Instead, it’ll be the Redblacks who hope to take advantage of Montreal starter Jeff Mathews, filling in for the injured Drew Willy.
The Als ended a 13-game losing streak last weekend. That was one hurdle they overcame. Now they’ll attempt to win for the first time at home since last Aug. 11. The rebuilding process has been slow and arduous.
“Nobody expected anything from us. We have to prove to ourselves we can do this and it’s not just lip service,” said receiver Chris Williams, in his first season with Montreal. “Getting a win like that can be big if we back it up with another win at home.
“It would be a big confidence boost, give us some momentum heading into the bye week. If we’re going to take this as serious as we preach it, we better find a way to make these wins happen when we get these opportunities, especially at home.”
Williams might be new to the team, but he could sense the relief felt by many during their postgame jubilation in Regina.
“Any time you lose 13 in a row, you’re going to have some pressure, some doubts cast,” he said. “I’m sure the whole organization, collectively, took a deep breath. Now we realize the opportunity we have in front of us. We can put ourselves solidly right back in the mix, get this thing headed in the right direction. Sooner rather than later.”
I feel like this group we have in our secondary have excellent hands and a nose for the ball.