Head-2-Head
By Jack B. Bedell
Week 2: Edmonton Eskimos
After coming out on the short end of one of the most exciting games in CFL history last week in Regina, the Alouettes are going to have to guard against any emotional fallout this weekend when they head into Edmonton. Commonwealth stadium has always been a tough place to earn points, and this weekend should be no exception with the Eskimos coming off a tough loss themselves.
This week, it would be easy to focus on the defensive side of the ball with the Als’ defence giving up a whopping 54 points to Saskatchewan. But that game was a classic CFL shootout against one of the league’s elite receiving corps. I’ve got no doubt this week’s tilt in Edmonton will have a completely different complexion.
The one element of the Alouettes’ offensive attack that took a backburner last weekend was the running game. Once the Riders displayed their quick-strike abilities in the second half, scoring three majors in no time flat, Avon Cobourne and the Als’ rushing attack went by the wayside. I’m looking for Cobourne to come back with a vengeance this week against the Eskimos. And the match-up I’ll be watching most intently is how well Eskimos’ middle linebacker Mo Lloyd is able to shadow Cobourne on draws and play action.
In week 1, the Eskimos gave up 168 yards rushing to the B.C. Lions’ new back Jamal Robertson. Many of those yards came off big gains on quick-hit, linear running plays. Several times Lloyd and the Esks’ other run stoppers failed to bring Robertson down on first contact. And once the back was through the initial hole, the Esks’ secondary took poor pursuit angles in chase, allowing Robertson to bust those long runs.
While Robertson is a proven CFL back, he lacks Cobourne’s shiftiness and top-end speed, so it’s going to be very interesting to watch Cobourne attack the Eskimos’ run defence after last week’s performance, for sure. In the Als’ two games against Edmonton last season, Cobourne was held to 125 yards on 21 carries. Lloyd was a non-factor in Montreal’s home 50-16 blowout win, but he was a monster against the run in the Als’ road loss, leading the Esks with seven tackles.
Cobourne’s effectiveness in this weekend’s game won’t just be measured in yards gained, however. If he is able to break off a few decent runs, it will put pressure on Lloyd and the interior of the Esks’ defence to stay home to contain him. That will open the perimeter of the field for hitch passes off play action and for reverses using the Als’ quick receivers to pick up nice gains.
If Cobourne has the game I think he’ll have against Edmonton this Sunday in Commonwealth Stadium, the Alouettes will have an excellent chance to come out of there with their first victory of the year. And Lloyd and the Eskimos’ defence will have their hands full.
