Jack Bedell,
MontrealAlouettes.com
In my first South of 49 column of the year, I set some pretty strict resolutions for myself heading into the 2008 season, including a couple that helped pull me out of the funk I was in for 24 hours after the gun sounded in Regina last weekend:
“I promise to hold off before making any proclamations on the performances of the offence, defence, and special teams until the Als have played all three East Division rivals at least once. There will be new coaches, new schemes, and new personnel to evaluate, and there’s no way to do that without a little context.”
And…
“I resolve to pay ZERO attention to the East standings before Labour Day. More than a few teams proved champions aren’t crowned in the summer last season.”
Whenever a great game turns ugly in the final couple of minutes like that one did Saturday against the Roughriders, it’s very easy to fly off on a rampage criticizing the one or two points in the game that led to the loss. It’s even easier to lose all perspective on how the team’s been performing.
I know I was looking for someone to blame, and I was completely sick after watching an eight-point lead evaporate against Saskatchewan. But like I was trying to remind myself in my New Year’s resolutions, everything has to be considered in context before any accurate judgments can be made.
The Alouettes have suffered two close losses this season, both against two of the finer teams in the West, arguably two of the finest teams in the league. They’ve played two divisional opponents and beaten them convincingly.
But none of these individual games should mean more than points in the standings right now.
Teams are still in the process of finding themselves, and more and more injuries are changing the dynamics of the league every week.
After Saturday’s loss, it took me a while, but I was able to remind myself that the Als have yet to work their way through the East, and until that happens, no real pecking order will have been established.
Secondly, the level of play is far more important this early in the season than anything the individual scores could tell us. Just like the old dictum states, the “real” season starts on Labour Day, and that’s when the complexion of losses like last Saturday’s changes drastically.
By all measures, this year’s Alouettes squad has answered my off-season concerns – the offence is dangerous again, pass protection is shored up, the defence is playing with effective aggression, and team speed is making an impact on special teams. Win or lose, the Als are a talented, competitive team.
After a tough loss, I just have to remind myself about these positives, keep every game in context, and stick to my own resolutions.
