ALS’ PLAYOFF DREAMS OVER
Montreal out of playoffs for first time in 20 years after losing in Edmonton
In the penultimate game of the year and with their season on the line, it ended much like it began last May, with controversy and bizarre twists. Of course it did. These are, after all, the Alouettes — the Canadian Football League’s model franchise no longer.
There was plenty of blame to go around. There was backup quarterback Tanner Marsh fumbling the ball into the Edmonton end zone at the two-yard line in the fourth quarter with more than five minutes remaining and Montreal still within striking distance. There was the defence that carried this team throughout much of the season, and yet, when it came to crunch time and stops were required, they allowed touchdown drives of 74 and 75 yards in less than five minutes.
And to top it all off, general manager and head coach Jim Popp, this team’s architect, was back home in Montreal. Less than two hours before the opening kickoff, the Als announced Popp was suffering from vertigo, not allowed to travel under a doctor’s recommendation, although he was at practice as recently as Friday and displayed no symptoms.
Instead, the Als would be coached by Noel Thorpe, the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach — but never a head coach at the professional level. According to Thorpe, postgame, Popp was battling a cold, had a virus, an inner-ear infection and was on medication. According to an Als player, Thorpe told the team Popp was sick and didn’t want to risk infecting any of the players. This scenario also was corroborated by TSN, which reported Popp had flu-like symptoms.
Subterfuge? The plot thickens. Perhaps we’ll never know. In a brief exchange of text messages with the Montreal Gazette, Popp indicated he was feeling “about the same.” He said he’s been suffering “for a few days,” his condition “got worse each day.”
But here’s the only thing that matters: Following a 19-year run, the Als have failed to qualify for the playoffs. Montreal was in a must-win scenario Sunday afternoon — and lost, 40-22, to the Edmonton Eskimos at Commonwealth Stadium. The Als had to win their final two games and hope for a British Columbia loss at home, next Saturday, against Calgary. Instead, Montreal will complete the season with a game at home Sunday afternoon against Saskatchewan, both teams having failed to qualify for the post-season.
Talk about the blind leading the blind. At least the Als now qualify for a high draft choice next May. That’s the consolation prize.
The final score on this day was somewhat misleading. The Als had a one-point lead at halftime, increasing the advantage to three heading into the final period, when the visitors were outscored, 21-0, although one touchdown came late, after the Als turned the ball over on downs deep in their end.
Quarterback Kevin Glenn was valiant in defeat, passing for 236 yards. He completed 18 of 27 for 236 yards and three touchdowns. But he fumbled once and also threw an interception.
Tailback Tyrell Sutton was valiant in defeat, gaining 135 yards on 14 carries. He was determined and ran over people. The Als actually generated 421 yards’ net offence — 12 more than the Eskimos.
“I’m in shock right now,” said linebacker Chip Cox, a 10-year veteran who never has missed the playoffs.
“This might be my last chance. That’s the only thing that’s in my mind. Do I end my career by not making the playoffs? That’s what hurts the most,” added rush-end John Bowman, 33, a potential free-agent in February. Bowman had two quarterback sacks and is the league leader, with 16. One more and he’ll reach 100 in his career.
The Als were trailing, 33-22, when the dagger was delivered. Glenn passed 53 yards to Nik Lewis, taking the ball to the Edmonton 12. They eventually gained 10 more yards before inserting Marsh for a short-yardage play. His fumble was recovered in the end zone by Otha Foster, one of five Montreal turnovers, although two were on downs.
It marked Marsh’s third fumble this season in limited playing time. He also was intercepted seven times during the year and likely will be playing with another CFL team — if at all — in 2016. Predictably, he refused an interview request.
“I thought it was a good play. It’s tough. It was a good call. We had them. It’s unfortunate. It’s par for the course, I guess. We just weren’t good enough this year, at all,” said offensive tackle Jeff Perrett, in his eighth season with Montreal. “He’s not trying to turn the ball over. Stuff happens. It’s unfortunate. It’s a crazy game. Unfortunately, you’ve got to be perfect. If you’re not, stuff like this happens.
“This feels terrible. It’s the worst.”
Defensively, the Als just weren’t good enough on this day. Edmonton quarterback Mike Reilly was near perfect, competing 29 of 35 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns — all to rookie sensation Derel Walker. The Eskimos controlled the ball for more than 34 minutes, and when they weren’t scoring touchdowns, former Alouette Sean Whyte was kicking four field goals.
Edmonton scored 10 points on its opening two possessions, when the Als were guilty of shoddy tackling. And the defence failed to rise to the occasion again late, when it mattered most.
“We missed a lot of tackles. We took a lot of penalties and they sustained drives. We kind of let down the offence today. There’s nothing else we can say,” Bowman concluded.