By: Jack B. Bedell,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Week 12: Edmonton Eskimos
In the passing game, one of the first keys a quarterback learns is to read is the depth and positioning of the opposition’s safety.
A good safety often has the speed and range to cover passes over the top as well as sideline to sideline. He also has the physicality to creep close to the line of scrimmage to work in run support.
Often, it’s the safety’s role play a cat and mouse game with the quarterback in disguising the defence’s coverages through pre-snap movement and dummy alignments. The real trick for a safety, though, is to avoid getting caught out of position by a savvy quarterback.
Getting defensive
When the Edmonton Eskimos come into McGill this weekend to face the Alouettes, they’ll finally have the opportunity to play their starting safety, Elliott Richardson, who’ll be returning to the line-up from a wrist injury that’s kept him out of action since pre-season. Richardson’s addition should provide a huge boost for a defensive secondary that’s already been holding its own in recent weeks.
Heading into this weekend’s tilt, the Eskimos’ defence ranked third in the CFL in fewest net yards given up (2668), fewest yards per game (266.8), and fewest passes completed against (201). The Eskimos also sit second on the league’s list for most interceptions this season (tied at 12 with the Alouettes).
Richardson adds great range and big hits to the Eskimos’ secondary. He’s also a very intelligent player who should provide quite a challenge for Alouettes’ receivers crossing the middle.
Sunday’s game also marks the return of a very important player to the Als’ attack, however. For the first time in a month, all-CFL pivot Anthony Calvillo will line up under centre to match wits with Richardson and the rest of the Eskimos’ defence.
Back under centre
Before his injury, Calvillo was leading the CFL in every meaningful category for QBs. He’s still the league leader in QB efficiency with an amazing 111.7 rating. And his TD-INT ratio is tops as well (17-3).
There’s simply no QB in the league with the experience of Calvillo. Nor is there a pivot with as much familiarity within his offensive system as AC. Considering how adept Cavillo is at recognizing and exploiting coverages, I would expect the Alouettes to test Richardson early and often with deep balls and crossing routes.
It’s going to very interesting watching Calvillo and Richardson getting back into the swing of game action. Who gets the best of the match up will go a long way toward determining which team comes away with the much-needed W.
The Alouettes next play the Edmonton Eskimos at McGill on Sep. 19 at 4 pm EST on RDSHD, TSNHD, NRJ, CJAD
