MontrealAlouettes.com
LENNOXVILLE – With an offence as explosive as the Alouettes’ is, there’s always plenty of flying pigskin to go around and that’s just the way receiver Brian Bratton likes it.
“I had the best year of my career last season and I’m just trying to keep that momentum moving forward,” said Bratton on Tuesday on Day 3 of training camp. “I’m moving into Kerry Watkins’ former position this season and it’s important that the receivers and I get things off on the right foot and continue to gel as a unit. Maintaining that high level of execution for the long haul starts here.”
While the sure-handed receiver has become synonymous with consistency throughout his career, he did manage to raise the bar in terms of personal achievements after reeling in a career-high 675 yards through the air during his fifth campaign with the Alouettes. Bratton also finished third on the team in receiving touchdowns with five and fourth in receptions with 55.
“I expect the same type of productivity or better and have taken the steps to do so. During the off-season, I hired a new strength coach and dropped six pounds,” beamed Bratton. “I’m much leaner now and I feel great.”
While Bratton already has his sights set on replicating last season’s success, his quiet demeanor paired with a team that features Anthony Calvillo, Jamel Richardson and Brandon Whitaker makes it easy to go unnoticed.
“I don’t really mind that others get the spotlight,” shrugged the former standout at Furman University. “Making clutch plays is a normal thing for me. Catching the ball is just something a receiver does. When it’s time to make big plays, that’s when I come up big to help us win games and that’s where my focus is at.”
With physical specimens like Richardson, S.J. Green, Brandon London, and Éric Deslauriers, all of whom tower above six-foot-three, Bratton’s body type doesn’t exactly fit the mold of his prototype counterparts.
“It’s true, I have a different body type and that’s a good thing,” explained Bratton. “It mixes things up and allows us to have versatility at the position.”
With his taller teammates drawing coverage downfield, Bratton’s strong and compact frame allow the 5-foot-10 receiver to do most of his damage in the underneath routes.
“Sometimes catching a five-yard pass or even a one-yard pass can be a game-changer depending on the circumstance,” warned Bratton. “It’s not always about hauling in a deep bomb.”
