By Jack Bedell,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Hammond, LA – In the four years I’ve been sharing my New Year’s resolutions in this “South of 49” column, I’ve never had the privilege of doing so after an Alouettes championship.
Let me tell you, the memory of watching the team lift that Grey Cup trophy back in November makes it really difficult for me to put 2009 behind in order to set goals for 2010. I can only imagine how much harder it will be for the players and coaches to do the same.
As tough as it is to believe, it’s been six weeks since the big win in Calgary, and I’m still on a serious high from the Alouettes’ victory. But the calendar pages keep turning, and it’s time to shift focus to the new season.
Ready for 2010!
As excited as I am about the Als winning the Cup, I’m just as stoked about the 2010 season and watching how they defend it. With Anthony Calvillo and a few of the team’s other key vets already committed to returning for the next campaign, it’s going to be another phenomenal year. And I can’t wait to see how the club builds on its success with a renewed work ethic and new additions to the roster this off-season.
So, with a little time to kill, I thought I’d get with the spirit of the New Year and offer up a few resolutions to kick things off for 2010.
1. Just like last year when I resolved to savour the Als’ past accomplishments, this year I want to remember the 2009 season daily, and use that standard of excellence as a measuring stick for all the success that’s coming the Alouettes’ way in the future.
2. I also want to renew my promise to follow the example AC and the rest of the team set last year, enjoying every play without fretting over the last one or the next one.
3. I definitely resolve to keep faith in the team for 60 minutes every game. If the Grey Cup win proved anything, it proved there’s no way to count the Als out if there’s time left on the clock.
4. Like the players and coaches who have “cooling down” periods before meeting the press/public after games, I vow to stay away from the keyboard for at least two hours after Alouettes games. I hit Twitter, Facebook, and my columns here and on thescore.com too quickly last season and may have been a little too high after wins and too low after losses for the public record. Coach Trestman will be my role model for demeanor in the New Year.
5. And finally, after making it to Percival Molson Stadium in 2009 for a game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, I want to be on hand personally to see the Alouettes host a playoff game in 2010.
What are your goals for 2010? Share them with Jack in our forum below…
