MontrealAlouettes.com
by Steve Lyberopoulos
MONTREAL – Whether it’s cutting past defending linebackers launching themselves at him after the snap or still grinding even while knee ligaments take their arduous time to build themselves back into game shape, there’s not much that fazes speedy Alouettes running back Brandon Whitaker these days.
In fact, staying focused almost comes naturally now for Whitaker, following a pair of injury-shortened seasons due to knee injuries.
So while the new Alouettes offence continues to work the kinks out of its game, Whitaker is relishing the extra looks his way to do some of the heavy lifting early this season — his first at full health in more than two years.
And his numbers speak for themselves.
With an average of 5.5 yards per carry, 335 total yards and 1 touchdown, the 5-foot-10 200-pounder is among the CFL’s top backs statistically, but his remarkable return to form wasn’t accomplished solo.
“My wife and family didn’t let me get too down on myself, even though there have been other guys who never came back from it,” revealed Whitaker of his motivation in trying times.
Often a tough injury for a running back to come back from even once, let alone twice, Whitaker’s two separate encounters with knee surgery didn’t curb his fire to build off of his breakout 2011 season, when he was last completely healthy.
“I knew I couldn’t just back down after a few injuries. It’s football, it comes with the game.”
His mindset and approach are indicative of a man who has embraced the adversity heaped upon him, treating his time recovering as a chance to take his game to new heights.
“Coming back from it, I knew I had to come back stronger.”
And as explosive and game-breaking as Brandon Whitaker is on the field, the 29-year-old halfback’s demeanour off of it is that of a 6-year vet embracing his natural role as a leader on his team. When it comes to the trio of other backs on the roster, Whitaker paints a picture of a mutually-beneficial, learning relationship.
“[Steven] Lumbala is a running back turned into a fullback, so he’s still learning how to play the position and he’s doing very well right now; it’s been fun playing with him back there. [Brandon] Rutley brings a whole other dynamic to the run game, and so does [Tyrell] Sutton and we’re eager to get him healthy and out there. It’s just been fun, we’ve all been learning from each other and teaching each other on the fly. If I see something, I tell them about it. If they see something that I don’t, they tell me about it.”
Two familiar foes will be in town on Friday as the Alouettes (1-3) will square off against the Toronto Argonauts (1-4) in an East Division battle pitting Whitaker against former teammate Shea Emry who spent 6 seasons in Montreal, not to mention longtime Als OC turned Argos HC Scott Milanovich. Lining up against Emry for the first time in his career, Whitaker is taking what’s sure to be a battle in confident stride.
“I just have to do my job. Shea’s one of the best linebackers I’ve ever played with, and I’m excited to play against him. But I try not to worry about that too much. Instead, I have to go out there and execute what I’m supposed to and handle my own business.”
The former communications major should hold a degree in business for the manner he’s handled it individually through Week 5 of the 2014 CFL season, but he’s well aware of what he and his teammates need to do collectively to get back to the brand of football they want to play starting this Friday.
“We can’t beat ourselves. We have to run the right routes, block the right people, and give Troy the time,” he explained. “We have to execute and not turn the ball over. That’s how it’s been for us the last couple of weeks and it’s something we’ve been working on. Now we have go out there and not beat ourselves.”
And although he’s finally back, Whitaker admits that being on the mend did have its perks.
Last year, his alma mater Baylor Bears rode a historic 11-game win streak to a Big 12 championship, and their star graduate had a front-row seat from his living room to take in their college football championship glory.
Harkening back to the Alouettes’ repeat Grey Cup championships in 2010 and 2011, Whitaker thinks that two titles in as many years could be in the cards for the Bears.
“They’re going be good. Coach [Art] Briles has a great system in place. They’re top-of-the-line everything over there and with Briles leading the way, they’re in good hands.”
Back in Montreal meanwhile, two is the number of games Whitaker is hoping Montreal will boast in the win column after Friday’s contest comes and goes, and the Alouettes’ number 2 figures to feature prominently in the outcome of that tilt.
