Devine waits for chance to shine
He was the flavour of the month at Alouettes’ training camp in June. There seemed nothing Noel Devine was incapable of, he was simply that good and fast.
He was going to have to play himself off the team and now, slightly more than a month later, it seems he has. Devine hasn’t dressed since July 12, against Calgary. He has been on the Als’ 46-man roster, but not among the 42 dressing for games. And that seems unlikely to change Friday night, at Winnipeg, marking the third consecutive game the rookie has missed.
In a season that has been perplexing for the Als, Devine’s absence simply is one more twist that’s hard to fathom.
“I mean, that’s the way this organization works,” the 24-year-old said on Wednesday, following practice at Stade Hebert in St. Leonard. “I had a great start, and then things started slowing up for us.
“I’m just patiently waiting,” added the 5-foot-8, 180 pounder. “Patience is a virtue. When the opportunity presents itself, I’ll take advantage of it.”
The talented running back wasn’t about to dislodge incumbent Brandon Whitaker, the Canadian Football League’s 2011 rushing leader from the backfield.
But it became apparent at camp, and during exhibition games, that Montreal’s coaches had a package of offensive plays specifically designed to take advantage of Devine’s speed.
He was going to be used as a re- ceiver coming out of the backfield although, in four collegiate seasons at West Virginia, Devine averaged a modest 7.2 yards on 98 receptions. The coaches also thought Devine might figure in the mix as a returner, although he was limited to 34 kickoff returns at college.
Now it seems like that package of offensive plays has been scrapped, at least temporarily, although Devine is considered a game-changer and electrifying player who can score from any point on the field.
When the als had an opening for an import on offence last week against Toronto, because of an injury to Brian Bratton, the void instead was filled by Victor Anderson — like Devine, a tailback and returner. And it appears the Als will continue dressing Bo Bowling.
While Bratton returns against the Blue Bombers, returner Trent Guy won’t play because of a rib injury. But the coaches are expected to remain with Anderson and Bowling.
“I believe in the coaches and their decisions. If this is what’s best for the team, I’m with it,” said Devine, who twice rushed for more than 1,200 yards at West Virginia, coming to the Als following a brief stint with the Philadelphia Eagles.
“It’s a long season,” he continued. “This is a competitive organization. Victor Anderson can do the same things. If that’s the best fit for our team, they obviously see something we don’t see.”
Head coach Marc Trestman said Devine had trouble adjusting to the speed of the Canadian game — despite his own speed.
“He misjudged it and was uncomfortable,” Trestman said.
“He showed he was uncomfortable with the game early on. He just got started on the wrong foot with the speed of the game, especially the return game.”
Also, with the early emergence of rookie non-import fullback Patrick Lavoie as a threat at receiver, that allowed the coaches to make a ratio change on offence, making an additional import available on defence, where the team has had more obstacles to overcome.
“If he gets the opportunity again ... I think he’ll be better for it,” Trestman said. “He has handled the situation well.”
Devine admitted he has experienced some growing pains, adjusting to the rules and game north of the border. “I had a few mistakes my last game, two dropped kick returns,” he said. “I’m sure that had something to do with it.
“And they want to look at others.”
Enter Anderson who, according to Trestman, “gives us something in the return game.”
Against the Argonauts, Anderson had two kickoff returns for 64 yards, including one he busted for 44 yards, after Guy sustained his injury. Anderson also caught two passes for six yards.
Anderson played college ball at Louisville. In 2008, he became the school’s first player to be named the Big East rookie of the year after he rushed for 1,047 yards. But he was hampered by shoulder injuries in both 2009 and ’10.
“Noel’s a great player,” Anderson said. “The coaches make the best decision at the end of the day. I’m here to fill in the spots where the team needs me. I’m just fortunate to continue playing football after college.”