MontrealAlouettes.com
MONTREAL – The Alouettes may look like the walking wounded seven games into 2013, but even more impressive than the number of players introduced to the infirmary since the start of the season is the depth that GM Jim Popp has had waiting in the wings at each position.
Case in point: while no less than eight (!) starters were bitten by the injury bug Saturday in Saskatchewan, the Alouettes nevertheless managed to push the first place Roughriders to the limit on the road in Regina, the game ultimately being decided by its final play.
Still not convinced? When special teams captain and Defensive Player of the Month Kyries Hebert meanwhile, was sidelined in the second quarter with a knee injury, not only did the Alouettes respond by playing one of their best games of the year defensively, but linebacker Marc-Olivier Brouillette, filling in for the injured Hebert at the position, put in a solid two-sack, two-forced-fumble effort worthy of the CFL’s Canadian Player of the Week honour.
READ: MARC-OLIVIER BROUILLETTE NAMED CFL CANADIAN PLAYER OF THE WEEK »
But the fourth-year Alouette is quick to redirect the credit right back at his teammate.
“Kyries helped me a lot,” explained Brouillette. “It was like having a second set of eyes on the sidelines. Every time I went back to the bench we spoke a little. He told me what he saw, gave me feedback; it was a big help.”
It couldn’t have hurt of course, that the multi-talented 27-year-old is able to play at a variety of different positions. He did after all star as a QB collegiately with the Université de Montréal Carabins.
“I’ve always been a guy who could adapt on the football field,” revealed Brouillette. “It’s something that I use to my advantage since I know how the entire defence works,” added the linebacker who also takes reps at safety and on special teams.
And while he may have had the leading role last week, Brouillette’s not the only star of the Alouettes’ adaptation of The Replacements.
Ryan Bomben for his part was one of the first offensive linemen to answer the call of duty after starting guards Andrew Woodruff and Scott Flory went down with injury.
But in contrast to the versatile Brouillette, Bomben’s been banking on a ‘less is more’ approach.
“I try to keep it simple and get the job done without trying to do too much,” admitted the six-foot-four, 305-pounder. “You’ve got to have confidence in your teammates and trust that they’ll do their jobs so that you can focus on yours.”
Differences in how they approach their positions aside however, trusting their teammates remains the constant between Brouillette and Bomben. The former Guelph Gryphon is just as appreciative of the work that Flory, Luc Brodeur-Jourdain and Jeff Perret have put in to help ease him into the starting unit.
But he’s not the only one reaping the rewards of a cohesive offensive line.
Running back Jerome Messam was a bright spot for the Alouettes in Week 7 versus Toronto, rushing for 90 yards on 14 carries while adding four catches for 17 yards while filling in for the injured Brandon Whitaker.
According to Messam, being a first-rate replacement is all about preparation.
“You’ve just got to continue getting better every week by working hard at practice. Football is a sport with a lot of turnover,” acknowledged the Alouettes’ off-season acquisition. “You never want to see someone go down, but it happens, so you have to be ready for it.”
