Als’ defence licks wounds after embarrassing loss to Bombers
In 1994, Edmonton won 13 of 18 games. And yet, on July 13 that season, Winnipeg quarterback Matt Dunigan shredded the Eskimos’ defence, passing for 713 yards, a CFL single-game record.
The defensive coordinator on the losing end of that 50-35 score was Rich Stubler. It happens.
In other words, Stubler, now the Alouettes’ defensive coordinator, said he’s not concerned that Montreal’s revamped defence, which includes six free-agent starters, was torched 56-10 Friday at home by Winnipeg. Most of that damage was inflicted by Blue Bombers rookie quarterback Chris Streveler.
“It’s hard to explain. He had a good day against us and he called a lot of good plays,” Stubler said Monday, after the team practised at Stade Hébert. “We missed tackles and just didn’t play well.”
The regular season is only two weeks old, but the Als have lost both their games. At least they’re not the only 0-2 team in the CFL, sharing that honour with the defending Grey Cup-champion Toronto Argonauts, also licking their wounds following a 41-7 pasting at home by Calgary.
On the other hand, the Argos have a bye this week, providing them with additional time to work on solutions. Montreal is preparing for a Saturday night game in Saskatchewan, and will attempt to avoid a 14th consecutive defeat, stretching back to Aug. 19.
“The sun came up and we have another opponent to play this week to try and get things right,” Montreal head coach Mike Sherman said. “Coaches have pretty good resiliency. We bounced back with a good practice. The guys are fairly focused. I think they got Friday night out of their system by now. That’s good.”
General manager Kavis Reed was busy over the winter, restocking the league’s most-porous defence with high-priced free agents. He added Tommie Campbell, Mitchell White, Joe Burnett and Dominique Ellis in the secondary, along with rush-end Jamaal Westerman and, in April, middle linebacker Henoc Muamba.
The Als’ blueprint for success became apparent. Reed is hoping the defence can hold the fort until the toothless offence finds its niche, assuming that day ever comes. That offence, with so much uncertainty at quarterback, has failed to surpass 10 points in either game this season, making last week’s defensive downfall all the more concerning — especially given Streveler’s inexperience.
“I think that’s our rock bottom. I actually know it’s our rock bottom. There’s nowhere to go but up,” said White, who is unaccustomed to this carnage, having spent the last two seasons with Ottawa and Toronto, respectively, league champions both times.
“He (Streveler) played good. He’s got ability. He used his ability and it worked for him that night,” White continued. “Can he do it every night? I don’t know. But he did it when it mattered against us.
“I think you’re going to see a different team. You’re going to see a team with fight. People who can’t play this sport, or wouldn’t be good enough to play it, couldn’t bounce back from something like that. I think we’re going to bounce back.
“Part of being a good defensive back is putting things in the rearview mirror and not look at them. Learn something from that, but don’t hold onto it.”
Both Burnett and veteran rushend John Bowman, neither of whom has played this season, practised on Monday. Burnett is recovering from a quad injury, while Bowman has been sidelined with a wonky ankle.
Campbell and Muamba didn’t practise. Campbell is said to have a shoulder strain, although he claimed on Twitter he was suffering from a toothache. Muamba has a sore ankle. Both are expected to play against the Roughriders (1-1).
“I thought we came out flat. Guys didn’t bring any energy to the game. I was disgusted sitting on the sideline and watching it, helplessly,” said Burnett, who was added from Calgary, which reached the Grey Cup the last two seasons while losing only six and tying two of 36 games.
“I do think we’re a lot better than that. That was just one of those games,” he added. “We dropped the ball. We’ve got to play better. Winnipeg did a great job of scouting us, coming in prepared, ready to play, getting quick reads for (Streveler) and running downhill. They ran the ball on us and we’ve got to stop the run.”
Along with passing for 246 yards and three touchdowns, Streveler was the game’s leading rusher, gaining 98 yards on 10 carries. The visitors produced 245 yards along the ground, part of their 588 yards’ net offence.
“I think you’ll see 12 (defensive) guys on the field (this week) ... 24 playing lights out,” Burnett said. “We know, if we don’t come out and show up, you might not be here after this one.”
For now, it appears the Als are going to continue to bench offensive tackle Xavier Fulton in favour of Phil Blake, with Kirby Fabien replacing Blake at left guard. That would mean the team will field an all-Canadian offensive line. Sherman made that change in the second half against Winnipeg and “it solidified things a bit.”
On Monday, the Alouettes added quarterback Kenny Hill to their practice roster. Hill followed Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M and is also the son of former major-league pitcher Ken Hill, who played three years for the Montreal Expos from 1992 to ’94.
I thought we came out flat. Guys didn’t bring any energy to the game. I was disgusted sitting on the sideline and watching it, helplessly.