A quick out with Brian Bratton
By Jack Bedell,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Hammond, LA – Every off-season heading into training camp, I put together a “Camp Fires” column for MontrealAlouettes.com examining the burning questions topping my list as the team gets ready for the upcoming season.
Going into 2008, one of the questions near the top of my pile was “Which one of the Als’ young receivers is going to step up to be a legitimate fourth option in the offence?” No mean feat considering the calibre of players filling the other three spots – Ben Cahoon, Kerry Watkins, and Jamel Richardson.
The last two seasons, Brian Bratton has provided an emphatic answer to that question. Averaging over 50 catches and more than 600 yards per season in his last two campaigns, Bratton has really blossomed in Marc Trestman’s offence.
Anyone looking for a glimpse at what the future holds for number 85 should look at the plays he made in the Eastern Final and Grey Cup. In both games, Bratton threatened the deep middle repeatedly to come up with big plays for major yardage. He also caught balls in traffic to move chains when Anthony Calvillo and the rest of the Als’ offence needed it most.
Bratton was kind enough to take some time out of his hectic off-season to chat a bit about how last season went for him and about how his preparation for 2010 is going.
South of 49: How’s your off-season been coming off that incredible Grey Cup win?
Brian Bratton: The off-season has been great. Once I got home, I had a chance to celebrate with my family and friends. Most of them watched the game and pretty much the whole season, so they were excited for me. It’s pretty much died down now. Many of them are just in my ear about winning it again next year, but they all want to see the ring also.
SO49: Could you describe your emotions from that last punt return to the end of the game?
BB: Man, it was a rollercoaster, in every sense of the word. First, I was thinking, “Man this punt is high.” Then I got hit, and was thinking, “Thank God we recovered.” Then just “Hurry up, we have to get into range.”
After we got into field goal range and Damon came on, I was nervous. Then my heart sank (when the field goal went wide), but then I was the happiest I’ve ever been (when the second kick went through). Like I said, it was a rollercoaster of emotions.
SO49: You’ve made a great transition from young player to productive veteran. How do you see your role in the Alouettes’ offence evolving heading into 2010?
BB: I always go into seasons with an open mind, not knowing exactly what my role actually will be. I know that my role will be defined by the end of camp, and whatever it is, I will be ready to fulfill it, and I will do it at a high level.
I know that my teammates and my coaches have confidence in me and my ability, so I know I am going to be a big part of the offence. What will I be doing? We will just have to see.
There are so many different parts to our offence, and all are so valuable. But I will contribute, and I plan to contribute in a big way. I expect that from myself, and I believe the coaches and my teammates as well as the fans expect it also.
SO49: What’s your training schedule like between now and June when camp opens?
BB: My training has begun to be pretty tough. I start off slowly in January and February, just trying to get my body ready for the hard part. Once I hit March, it’s full-speed ahead.
Steve Marsh of D1 Sports Training gets me ready to go. We do everything from conditioning to weights as well as breaking down each phase of being a receiver and fine-tuning the craft. It’s an everyday, sometimes two times a day, five days a week regiment.
People don’t always know it, but it is an extension of our jobs, and I take it seriously. There’s no just lying around during the offseason. I want to win again.
SO49: Will you set any personal goals heading into the new season?
BB: I set goals every season, and this season won’t change. My father always taught me to write my goals down and read over them often. You can train your mind just like you train your body. It’s a focus thing.
I don’t just write down my personal goals, though. I also write down my goals that I would like to see the team achieve. Some of the personal goals happen, at times they don’t, but if the team goal is achieved sometimes not reaching the personal goal isn’t such a disappointment. For example, I didn’t have 1,000 yards last year, but we won the Grey Cup.
