By Jack B. Bedell
MontrealAlouettes.com
Week 7: Toronto Argonauts
When the Alouettes hosted the Toronto Argonauts in week 5, the match up was billed as a showdown for first place in the East with both teams coming into the game sporting 3-1 records.
Much of the hype leading up to the game revolved around questions concerning the Als’ ability to contain the Argos’ dangerous running back Cory Boyd. The Alouettes answered those questions resoundingly by holding Boyd to 53 yards on nine carries on their way to a convincing 41-10 victory.
Even more impressive to me, though, was the fact that the Als’ defence only allowed Toronto’s Cleo Lemon to complete eight of 17 passes for 143 yards. Lemon was under constant pressure from the Als’ rush and was simply unable to find enough rhythm or space to attack Montreal’s pass defence effectively.
Lemon-aid!
With the Alouettes’ ability to defend Boyd clearly established heading into this weekend’s rematch, you can bet the Argonauts will be looking for ways to improve upon Lemon’s production if they’re going to have a chance at changing the outcome of the tilt.
And if Toronto puts the ball in the air more often this weekend, one of the keys to the game will undoubtedly be the ability of the Als’ defensive front, particularly John Bowman and Anwar Stewart, to get consistent pressure on Lemon by outdueling the Argos’ bookend offensive tackles Rob Murphy and Shannon Boatman.
In week 5, Bowman and Pat MacDonald both posted sacks on Lemon off the edge, as did defensive tackle Jermaine McElveen. And even though the stat sheet didn’t show it, Stewart set up shop in the Argos’ backfield most of the night, too.
A good bit of the time two weeks ago, the Argos positioned their backs in formation to help Murphy and Boatman with protection. While this may have slowed down the Alouettes’ rush, it took playmakers out of the equation for Lemon and limited Toronto’s options offensively. Against the Alouettes’ swarming defence, that’s never a good option.
Aside from the game against the Als, Murphy and Boatman have performed quite well. Both are big, aggressive tackles with quick feet and good hands. Aided by Lemon’s mobility, the tandem has managed to keep sacks to a minimum, giving up fewer than two per game, and they have drastically reduced the number of holding and procedure calls made against the Argos.
The Bowman Show
To get to Lemon, moving him off his spot and/or getting him on the ground, Bowman and Stewart are going to have to use every bit of their pass rush versatility against Toronto’s tackles.
Bowman and Stewart’s get-off speed is going to be a big factor in who wins the battle, for sure. But look for the Als’ rush ends to bull rush from time to time, too, to put quick pressure on the Argos’ pocket and to flush Lemon upfield where McElveen and Eric Wilson can clean up.
If the Alouettes’ rush ends tee off like I think they will this Saturday, I have a feeling it’s going to be another long night for Cleo Lemon and the Argos’ offensive attack. And that means the Alouettes will have a good shot at leaving the Rogers Centre with another key divisional win.
