MontrealAlouettes.com
Montreal, September 3, 2011 – The identity of the Montreal Alouettes’ defence can be best described by its ability to apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks, something which has served the team well in recent years and has allowed the Alouettes to take hold of second place in the East Division so far this season while also staying in the hunt for first. Players and coaches alike will tell you that this success starts with the defensive line and in the trenches.
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Defensive ends Anwar Stewart and John Bowman have combined for five sacks so far this season. |
“It’s a jungle in there,” said veteran defensive end Anwar Stewart about going head to head with an opposing team’s offensive linemen for an entire game. “It’s the survival of the fittest and only the strong survive. Not everyone can make it in there.”
The Alouettes will be looking to win the battle up front and stand their ground early against the Ti-Cats on Monday, thus avoiding leaving their defence out on the field for extended periods of time.
“We have to stop them on first downs. That was a big factor during our last meeting,” said John Bowman who leads the team in sacks with four.
“If we can minimize their productivity on first downs, then they’ill be faced with second and long situations and will have to throw the ball. That makes our job a lot easier, because we don’t have to worry about the run so much and just get after the quarterback,” he added.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ running back and former Alouette, Avon Cobourne, had a productive outing in the two teams’ first meeting on July 29 when he combined for 126 yards. Montreal’s defence did, however, manage to keep him out of the end zone.
The Alouettes stated that they will be better prepared for Cobourne and the rest of the Hamilton offence this second time around, having put in more time studying game film and taken a closer look at the Ti-Cats’ offensive formations.
“We’ll have a close eye on the different types of formations which they execute. Being mindful and anticipating when they’ll run, when they’ll pass and even when they’ll try trick plays will help us,” mentioned Bowman.
The Alouettes will face the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Ivor Wynne Stadium, Labour Day Monday, September 5 at 1:00 p.m. (RDS HD, TSN HD, 98,5 FM, CJAD and Sirius 158).
