Als' Coté puts boots to doubters with strong start
Rookie kicker bolsters Montreal's attack with steely confidence and strong leg
There were many questions, but few answers, surrounding the Alouettes heading into a new season, especially after the 2020 CFL campaign was cancelled.
The kicking game had to be near the top of that list following the departure of Boris Bede, who was dealt to the Toronto Argonauts.
While Bede handled punting and place-kicking duties for the Als, the native of France was considered an import. David Côté, Montreal's rookie placekicker, is a Quebecer, while Australian punter Joseph Zema qualifies as a global player (each team must use at least one non-north American this season).
There's no doubt Côté has arrived, and erased any lingering doubts, after kicking six field goals — including a season best 49-yarder — on Saturday against B.C. The 24-year-old accounted for all of the Als' points while tying a team record shared by Terry Baker, Damon Duval and Colt David.
Côté might have gone to bed Saturday night with a clear head, but would have preferred kicking converts rather than field goals.
“From a personal standpoint, it was a great game,” the Quebec City native said Wednesday. “Every time they called my name to go on the field, I made the field goals. I couldn't ask for more. But I'd have taken a few less field goals and the win.”
Through five games, Côté has made 13 of 17 attempts (76.5 per cent). Two of his misses can be attributed to errant snaps that were mishandled by Zema, who was replaced as the holder by backup quarterback Matthew Shiltz.
Côté made 24 field goals in 2019 while at Université Laval — the second-highest total in conference history behind Chris Milo's 25 in 2008. Côté was subsequently invited to last winter's Hula Bowl, one of the few NON-NCAA, NFL draft eligible players to participate.
He was named a first-team conference all-star in 2019 before being selected in the fifth round (45th overall) this year by Montreal. General manager Danny Maciocia wisely signed Côté to a three-year deal.
“I don't know if there were any doubts,” said the six-footfour, 215-pounder, who won the place-kicking competition at training camp despite having one year of university eligibility remaining.
“Maybe because I'm new and a rookie. But even if there were doubts, and they're not there anymore, I think, as a kicker and as a specialist, we need to prove ourselves every day — in practice and games.
“It doesn't make any difference if I was 100 per cent last week. If I miss them all this week, they're not going to think about the sixfor-six.”
The Als and the Argos meet Friday at BMO Field, providing Côté with an opportunity to discuss pregame strategy with Bede.
While Côté was enjoying his coming-out game last weekend, Als head coach Khari Jones — confined to his apartment following a positive COVID-19 test a week before — was relishing every kick.
“I thought he was outstanding,
You never know with new guys. I felt good about him coming out of camp and he's been outstanding for us.
and he's been really good for us the whole year,” said Jones, who returned to the team on Tuesday. “I just feel comfortable with him in there. He's still a young guy and we knew there would be a few bumps early on. To make all the kicks, including the long one, he was just solid. We needed him quite a bit that game. He came as advertised.
“You never know with new guys. I felt good about him coming out of camp and he's been outstanding for us.”
Côté has a strong work ethic and displayed his athletic ability at the Rouge et Or's evaluation camp, prior to the CFL draft, where he was the best in four of six evaluation tests.
“I'm a calm guy, no matter the situation, and don't put much pressure on my shoulders,” he explained. “I'm strong mentally.”
Côté has a strong leg and believes a 55-yard field goal would be within his range.
“That's what you want as a coach,” Jones said. “If he feels good about it, and I see that in his eyes, I'd probably go with it.”
Meanwhile, receiver Dante Absher has a hip injury and will probably be replaced this week by Quan Bray, who was inactive the last two games.