By Jack B. Bedell,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Week 8: Winnipeg Blue Bombers
If one thing was painfully obvious in the Alouettes’ tough loss in Toronto last week, it’s that field position can make or break an offence’s ability to finish drives.
More often than not, the Als started drives near their own 20-yard line against the Argos. And while the Als piled up yards, poor field position really hampered the team’s ability to cap fine production with points. It’s just too difficult to execute 12-play drives from that kind of hole consistently.
Whether it’s giving up long returns, missing tackles, or failing to get your own yards in return, special teams play can really make it an uphill climb for Anthony Calvillo and the rest of the Als’ playmakers if that third of the attack is out of sync.
Stop the bleeding
When the Alouettes host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this Thursday at McGill Stadium, that real estate secured by special teams will be at a premium. And I’m very eager to see how Montreal responds behind the kicking of Damon Duval and sure tackling of Walter Spencer and the rest of the unit.
The Bombers head into week 8 boasting the CFL’s leading special teams tackler in former-Alouette Clint Kent. Their punter, Mike Renaud, leads the league in punting average (47.2) and is second in net punting average (41.7). And all-star DB Jovon Johnson sits in fourth place for punt return average (10.4).
While the Als’ aces Spencer and Duval are nipping at the heels of those numbers in special teams tackles and punting averages, and returner Tim Maypray actually sits ahead of Johnson on the returns list, the challenge posed by the ability of the Blue Bombers’ special teams to establish field position is clear.
First and foremost, Spencer and the Als’ kick coverage units have to maintain spacing and fill returns lanes with discipline against Winnipeg. Tackles have to be made on first contact, too, to limit the damage. Every yard gained on returns is a yard given away to the Bombers’ dangerous offence.
Go, Tim, go!
The flip side of that equation is equally important. Maypray and Montreal’s other return men have to do a better job of biting off yards for Calvillo and company against one of the quickest, best-tackling special teams squad in the league. Any return stopped inside the 35-yard line sets up negative field position.
And Duval has to hold up his end by kicking with proper depth and distance to nullify the Bombers’ return game.
When the dust clears Thursday night, the yards given and gotten by the Alouettes’ special teams will go a long way towards determining the outcome of the game. If the they are able to tilt the field their own way by controlling starting field position in their own favour, it’ll show on the scoreboard and in the standings.
The Alouettes next play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at McGill on Aug. 19 at 7:30 pm EST on RDSHD, TSNHD, NRJ, CJAD
