National Post (National Edition)
Stanback covets NFL shot, appreciative of Alouettes
Running back’s game would fit down south
A potential free agent this February, William Stanback said he loves Montreal, is appreciative of the opportunity he received from the Alouettes and would consider spending the rest of his Canadian Football League career with the team.
However, the 25-year-old tailback, who eclipsed 1,000 yards last Friday, against Toronto, loves the NFL — perhaps more — and plans on at least putting his toe in the water this winter.
Not surprisingly, the 6-foot, 233-pound bruising ball carrier on Tuesday reiterated his desire to play down south when his contract expires. That doesn’t mean he’s going to jump at the first carrot. Instead, Stanback will be seeking a signing bonus, which generally signifies an NFL team’s interest is serious.
At the same time, he admitted he already has started doing his homework.
“If they offer you money, that means they’re serious. And we’ll see who’s more serious,” Stanback said. “I’m already looking at rosters. I’m looking at who’s playing, who’s injured, who’s hot and who’s not.”
Stanback went undrafted when he came out of Virginia Union. He signed with Green Bay in 2017, only to be released before the final exhibition game. He attended Seattle’s rookie mini-camp the following season but wasn’t offered a contract. Only then did he come to Montreal.
“I just love football. Right now, I’m playing with the Alouettes and appreciate getting the opportunity,” he said. “But the NFL is something I grew up watching my whole life. I just want to have the opportunity to say I played there. If I don’t play ever again in the NFL that’s fine with me. But (at least) I could go to my last day saying I played there.”
Stanback first burst into prominence with the Als in August 2018. A month later, the team traded Tyrell Sutton, its featured running back, to B.C. Sutton now plays for Hamilton, who will visit Montreal Saturday.
Stanback completed last season with 539 rushing yards on 81 carries. He also caught 25 passes for 313 yards.
He had a breakout game at home against the TigerCats in July, rushing for 203 yards while scoring three touchdowns. He was one of three players of the month.
Stanback has gained 1,003 yards this season, while scoring five times. He received limited reps on Tuesday and might be rested this weekend. In that case, Jeremiah Johnson would be backed up by Canadian Christopher Amoah.
Stanback shared duties with Johnson against the Argonauts last Friday. He surpassed 1,000 yards on a five-yard carry early in the second half, then came out of the game, finishing with 49 yards on 11 carries. While Stanback would have preferred a more-productive evening, he said all that mattered was Montreal’s hardfought 27-24 victory, improving its record to 9-7.
He hasn’t eclipsed 1,000 yards since 2016, at college.
“It’s a great accomplishment. It was something that obviously was on my mind,” he admitted. “It just means a lot to me. A lot of hard work was put in. A lot of guys pushed me to get to where I am. The win was the main objective and (make) sure we keep this momentum going into the playoffs. I just want to go to the Grey Cup and change the culture in this city.”
Not only is Stanback big enough to play in the NFL, his style seems ideally suited for the four-down game. He’s a powerful tailback who’ll run over and through opponents while punishing them. Stanback’s not easy to tackle either.
“I played in a pro league for so long. I’ve matured and am wiser than in 2017,” he said. “I feel like I’m a changed man. I hope that (style) is what they like, because that’s what I’m going to bring.”
A number of players didn’t practise on Tuesday, including DeVier Posey, Henoc Muamba, Tommie Campbell and Mario Alford. Receiver Posey, nursing a lower-body injury, is the only one who probably won’t play, according to head coach Khari Jones. He could be replaced by newcomer Dante Absher, who would come off the practice roster.
Veteran rush-end John Bowman, who rested against the Argos in favour of newcomer JaVon Rolland-Jones, is expected to return.
Coach Jones said he hasn’t necessarily contemplated resting a slew of players just yet, with two regular-season games remaining before Montreal hosts Edmonton in the Nov. 10 division semifinal.
“If I feel like someone needs some time off or a game off, we’ll look at doing that,” he said. “If not, they’re going to play.
“I don’t want them thinking this game doesn’t mean anything, or the next one doesn’t. To me, they all mean something. We’re working toward something.”