Injuries open opportunities
With Richardson, Whitaker out, Alouettes will be using some untested talent vs. Esks
EDMONTON — There’s an evolution that occurs in professional sports, one that’s not always apparent, since only successful teams have been able to overcome the obstacle — as have the Alouettes.
When Avon Cobourne was injured, that led to the phenomenon of Brandon Whitaker, the Canadian Football League’s leading rusher in 2011. Injuries to Brian Bratton and Kerry Watkins led to Brandon London’s opportunity.
The Als are a helter-skelter of pieces heading into Friday’s game against Edmonton at Commonwealth Stadium (9 p.m., TSN, RDS,
CJAD Radio-800). Whitaker’s missing with a rib injury. Receiver Jamel Richardson suffered a hamstring injury at the end of Wednesday’s practice. Both cornerback Seth Williams (ankle) and linebacker Marc-Olivier Brouillette (fractured forearm) are also out.
And now, Montreal must attempt to win on the road against a team that has yet to lose at home in three games and is one of only two clubs with a 4-2 record. That normally wouldn’t lend itself to optimism.
“It’s a great storyline,” London admitted. “It’s another test for the team. We can’t look at it as being bad. Something like this, if you don’t take the good out of it, it’s going to hurt you.
“A team can have that excuse waiting to roll off its tongue, that it didn’t have some of its stars. But you’ll never be a champion thinking like that.”
Victor Anderson, a rookie out of Louisville, gets his first career start in place of Whitaker, coming off a 115-yard rushing performance against Winnipeg. Trent Guy and, possibly, Bo Bowling will step in for Richardson. Billy Parker moves to the boundary corner for Williams, with Wopamo Osaisai and Michael Carter playing Parker’s strong-side position.
At least one constant remains — quarterback Anthony Calvillo. Through six games, the veteran is leading the league in passing, with 2,001 yards. He has thrown for more than 300 yards in five consecutive games and is on pace for his first 6,000-yard season since 2004, the only time he surpassed that figure.
Of course, the Eskimos have the league’s stingiest defence. Edmonton is the only CFL team yet to allow 100 points this season. The Eskimos are allowing an average of 16.5 points per game. Paradoxically, the defence is surrendering 392 yards per game, a high total. In other words, teams can move the ball, they just can’t score.
“It starts with their defensive line. Those four guys cause lots of problems,” Calvillo said. “They’re very sound and they mix up their coverages. They really challenge the quarterback. And they’ve got great linebackers who move well from side to side.”
“That’s a team that’s developing confidence,” head coach Marc Trestman said. “It’s a tough time to be playing Edmonton, with the way the team feels about their quarterback (Steven Jyles) and the way its defence is playing.”
That doesn’t mean Trestman is willing to concede anything at this time. He embraces the opportunity of sitting back and watching new players perform, hoping to see them launch their careers.
The coach believes he has been provided with enough depth that the transition can be completed fairly seamlessly. The offence has a system, players learning multiple positions and having the flexibility to move around.
“I don’t look at it as an issue. The system has a formula to it,” Trestman explained. “The injuries won’t hinder our play-selection or playcalling.”
Nonetheless, Trestman displayed caution when asked whether the Als can possibly be as strong, especially on offence, performing without two of its vital cogs.
“That’s a harsh statement,” he said. “But we’re going along and calling plays as though (Whitaker and Richardson) are playing. I’ve never been worried about calling (the same) plays. We’ve lost some good players, but it’s not going to affect our approach and inhibit us from letting go and playing our game.”
Although the Als have won their last two games at Commonwealth, Calvillo probably saw his life flash before his eyes last Sept. 23, after he was eviscerated by defensive-lineman Marcus Howard, the quarterback knocked unconscious, albeit briefly, for the first time in his career while suffering a concussion.
“I don’t remember that,” Calvillo quipped, laughing at his joke. “You never expect that to happen, but this is a violent sport. That’s why I’ve been able to play so long. I don’t dwell on the past, whether I’ve had a great game, bad game or an injury.”
Howard will miss Friday’s game with a hamstring injury.
“I’ve heard that, and I’m not complaining,” Calvillo said.