THE CANADIAN PRESS
MONTREAL – No one was more surprised than Sean Whyte that he was named the East Division finalist as the CFL’s outstanding Canadian.
But the Montreal Alouettes kicker found himself sharing the spotlight Wednesday with quarterback Anthony Calvillo (outstanding player) and injured tackle Josh Bourke (top lineman) as division nominees.
“It was surprising but it feels good,” Whyte said. “Just to get the nomination was pretty cool.
“I’ve never had that happen and didn’t expect it my first year, that’s for sure.”
Montreal acquired Whyte from the B.C. Lions on May 8 for a 2012 first-round draft pick. Given the 2012 draft class is being generally regarded as a very strong one, it was a steep price to pay but the move made it clear the native of Surrey, B.C., would handle the Alouettes kicking and punting duties.
And Whyte wasted little time living up to expectations.
After missing his first field-goal try of the season, he went on to make a club-record 24 straight before the streak was snapped in a 44-21 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sept. 5. Whyte finished the season hitting 45-of-52 attempts (86.5 per cent) and finishing tied for second in CFL scoring with 197 points.
“Just coming out to help the team as much as possible,” Whyte said regarding what his expectations were this season. “I know the way I can play and I’m always my hardest critic and I think I can always do better.
“I’ve had a good season with my field goals, I just think my punting has got to get a little bit better, more consistent, and that’ll come with game experience.”
Whyte posted a 41.3-yard punting average but his net of 32.5 yards was the second-lowest in the CFL. But the 26-year-old, who signed a contract extension with Montreal shortly after he was acquired, was twice named the league’s special-teams player of the week as well as its top special-teams performer for the month of August.
“Honestly, it’s the team around me,” Whyte said modestly. “I know they’ve got my back if I miss and they’re always trying to pick me up if I’m down.
“I’ve got the best snapper and holder in the league, I think, and they strive to be perfect so when they’re perfect it makes my job a lot easier.”
Bourke helped anchor a Montreal offensive line that allowed just 34 sacks this season, tied for second-fewest in the CFL. Solid play up front is a big reason why the Alouettes’ offence boasted the league’s top passer in Calvillo (5,251 yards, 32 TDs), best receiver in Jamel Richardson (112 catches, 1,777 yards, 11 TDs) and leading runner in Brandon Whitaker (1,378 yards, 6.1-yard average).
The Alouettes also led the CFL in scoring (28.6 points per game), total yards (403.8 per game), yards passing (309 per game) and fewest interceptions (10).
But Montreal heads into its East Division semifinal showdown against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday without Bourke. The 29-year-old native of Windsor, Ont., suffered a season-ending torn pectoral muscle Oct. 30 against the Calgary Stampeders.
“He’s a tremendous player. Since he’s been in the league, he’s been at left tackle and secured it,” said Alouettes centre Luc Brodeur-Jourdain. “He has very good technique, good feet; he plays strong and plays well, all effort, for the whole game. I think on our O-line, he’s been an anchor.
“Even if there’s a speedster out there on the edge, you see Josh covering up and doing his job, and he takes pride in doing that.”
Montreal has shifted right tackle Jeff Perrett to the left side to replace Bourke and had Jeraill McCuller step into Perrett’s regular spot. But Brodeur-Jourdain admits it’s not the same.
“To be honest, we can only patch,” he said. “It’s tough to replace a guy like Josh Bourke.
“We can do our part but Josh Bourke is Josh Bourke.”
