Knapton glad to be back with Alouettes
Tough-as-nails pass rusher wants to hit opposing QBs and help Alouettes win
Let’s see if we have this straight: The Montreal Alouettes traded pass rusher Gabriel Knapton for explosive wide receiver Chris Williams last December. The Als then dealt Williams to Hamilton for quarterback Johnny Manziel last month. Knapton was released by British Columbia last week, and now he’s back with Montreal.
Another “Only in the Canadian Football League” moment?
“Management has a tough job. I think they do the best they can. Any time you’re struggling, recordwise, there’s going to be changes. As players, we all know that,” veteran defensive end Knapton said on Tuesday, 24 hours after he returned to where he started as a CFL rookie in 2014.
“I thought (the trade) would be a good fit. Obviously, it wasn’t. I’m right back here, which is fine with me. I was one of (the Lions’) guys and was playing solid ball. At that point, I didn’t think I’d be headed back here.”
The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Knapton played eight games with the Lions, producing 15 defensive tackles and one quarterback sack. He appeared to become expendable when B.C. acquired Shawn Lemon from Toronto. Knapton thought he would be part of a rotation, but he wasn’t, and is believed to have requested a trade.
“I was playing solid ball. I was very happy with my play. And the feedback I was getting from my coaches was very positive,” said Knapton, who should suit up for the Als Friday night at Ottawa. “It didn’t work out, obviously. They wanted to go in a different direction. That’s their call. I don’t always have to agree with it.
“But I also need to take care of my career. That’s why I’m here.”
Following his release, Knapton had options. But Montreal general manager Kavis Reed was the first to inquire, which meant a lot to the player. He and his family are familiar with the team, the city, Olympic Stadium, and the 29-year-old knew returning to the Als would reunite him with rush end John Bowman.
“You can look at the numbers when me and Knapton played together. We were probably the best one-two combination of defensive ends in the league,” Bowman said. “Hopefully we can bring a little bit of that magic back.”
In 76 games for Montreal, the 29-year-old Knapton registered 192 tackles, 33 sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. The native of Mead, Col., had 29 sacks in his first three seasons and was the team’s outstanding rookie in 2014. But he saw his production drop last season, when he was moved inside to tackle.
“Sometimes you’re not going to like the position you’re in. That goes for anything,” he said. “When I’ m asked to do a job, I do it to the best of my ability. If I’m asked to play defensive tackle, I’ll do it. If you give me long enough, I’ll become great at it. If you ask me to play nose (tackle), I will. Hell, I’ll play middle linebacker if I have to. That’s the type of player I am.”
Knapton said he had no reservations coming to a team that has a league worst 2-8 record, one that ended a six-game losing streak last Friday. The Als opened the season in Vancouver, and while they lost 22-10, Knapton said he was impressed by what he saw.
“They have the pieces,” he said. “They’re a different team. They just have to get it together. I think we’re at that point right now.”
The Als are preparing to play the Redblacks for the second time in a month. While Montreal lost 2417 at TD Place on Aug. 11 and allowed a staggering 587 yards of net offence, the score was tied going into the final three minutes.
This is the Als’ final game before their second bye week. They haven’t won consecutive games since the end of 2016. If they want to be taken seriously in the East Division, they have to go on an extended run.
“I want to show everybody what I’m all about,” Knapton said. “When something like this happens, people think they have something to prove. I don’t. People know how I play. They know what I’m about. I’m going to play tough, hit hard, get after the quarterback and have a fast motor.”
In other news, Manziel practised for a second consecutive day, although Antonio Pipkin is expected to start against Ottawa. Manziel missed two games with a concussion, but was expected to be cleared by a doctor on Tuesday afternoon. If not, Matt Shiltz will back up Pipkin.
“He hasn’t shown any symptoms out here. He’s thrown the ball well. He doesn’t have a headache,” head coach Mike Sherman said of Manziel. “It seems like he’s in pretty good shape.”
Notes: Guard Phil Blake’s family is expecting a child this Friday and he’ll miss the game. He’ll likely be replaced by Trey Rutherford, who was selected second overall by the Alouettes in this year’s Canadian college draft . ... Offensive tackle Tony Washington departed practice early due to lower back pain, something that has been a recurring issue for him . ... Former Als linebacker Kyries Hebert, now with Ottawa, is expected to come off the six-game injured list to face his former team.
We were probably the best one-two combination of defensive ends in the league. Hopefully we can bring a little bit of that magic back.