By Jack B. Bedell
MontrealAlouettes.com
Season Opener: Saskatchewan Roughriders
One of my all-time favourite football clichés goes a little something like this: “The most important game of the season is the next one up on the schedule.”
Considering the next game up on the Alouettes’ schedule happens to be the Canada Day Kickoff season opener against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, that old axiom takes on some extra heat this week.
Opening the season on the road against a quality football team like the Roughriders is more than enough of a challenge to get the juices flowing, but when you add the fact that it’s a rematch of last season’s amazing Grey Cup battle, it’s a sure bet the stands will be hopping in Mosaic Stadium and the Riders’ will be geared up for some revenge.
After stewing all off-season over the last-second loss to the Als in the championship game last November, the Riders are sure to be gunning for a fast start in front of their home crowd. And if Saskatchewan hopes to score early and often against Montreal’s stellar defence, it all starts with pivot Darian Durant.
The match-up I’ll be keeping a sharp eye on from the opening kick off Thursday night is how well defensive ends Anwar Stewart and John Bowman are able to stymie Durant by rushing his timing and by setting solid edges to keep him from escaping the pocket for cheap rushing yardage.
The Riders boast one of the deepest, most talented receiving corps in the CFL with Andy Fantuz, Wes Dressler, Robbie Bagg, Chris Getzlaf, Prechae Rodriguez, and Jason Clermont. Given time and throwing lanes, Durant can pick apart any defence with that collection of players.
In his three games against the Als last season, Durant threw for 639 yards and three majors, often finding receivers Dressler and Fantuz open behind Montreal’s coverage. He also rushed for 116 yards and a TD on only 11 attempts.
This week, it’s imperative that Stewart and Bowman get good penetration to quicken Durant’s clock, move him around in the pocket, and take away any time he has to complete those long strikes.
The Als’ defensive ends also need to maintain their control and discipline to take away Durant’s rushing lanes. While not known as a breakaway threat like Casey Printers or Henry Burris, Durant is very adept at moving the chains by picking up chunks of yardage in second-and-long situations.
It’s going to be up to Stewart and Bowman to make sure Durant stays in the pocket, and on the ground if possible. Each player picked up sacks in games against the Riders last season, and they were instrumental in Durant’s six interceptions by creating good pressure in all three tilts.
For the Als to get off to another great start with a victory out in Regina, both Stewart and Bowman will have to be on their games. How well they do in their duel with Darian Durant will go a long way toward determining the outcome of the match-up.
