The leaves have fallen, the snow is appearing and store are hanging their Christmas decorations. It can only mean one thing: the CFL playoffs! Unique to Canada, the playoffs are a fall tradition wrapped with the cold Canadian weather but heats up homes and cities across the Great White North.
For just the eighth time since the cross-over rule came into effect in 1997, a Western team, the B.C. Lions, will travel east and try to get to the Grey Cup via a semi-final game in Montreal. With similar offences and defences, the CFL eastern semi-final should be a low-scoring affair between the furthest West and furthest East teams. Here we take a look at their opponents, the Montreal Alouettes, and their offence, defence, special teams, and coaching. Our assessment of the visiting B.C. Lions is here.
Offence
Heading into the 2014 campaign, the Montreal Alouettes were in search of a quarterback to replace the retired great Anthony Calvillo. Troy Smith was up first and embraced the hype that preceded him, but failed and was released by the club in September. Then came Alex Brink, who played well but wasn’t winning games. Finally, on Labour Day weekend, they found their man, Jonathan Crompton. Going 8-2 from that date forward, Crompton threw for 2482 yards, 11 TDs, and 8 INTs, with 179 completions in 308 tosses. Not the best numbers, but the man is winning games. None of this could have been done without his charismatic set of receivers in Duron Carter, SJ Green, and Brandon London. This offence is, surprisingly, one to contend with.
Defence
The defence can be thanked more than anything for the team’s resurgence since Labour Day. The corps of fearless players are all over the field to make the key tackles and interceptions. Defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe and the rest of the Alouettes organization couldn’t be happier. The physicality starts with linebacker Bear Woods with 89 tackles on the season, followed by his position-mate Chip Cox with 73 tackles. The sticky-fingered defence also has 12 interceptions from seven different players. The Larks are an intimidating defence to both throw and run against.
Special Teams
The Alouettes’ special teams aren’t that special at all. They’re not even just average. With a penalty practically every time Sean Whyte punts or kicks the ball down the field, Tom Higgins and special teams coaches Jean-Vincent Posy-Audette and Andre Bolduc might just want to consider giving up safeties or going for it on third down, because the penalties are negating most of their monster kicks down field. James Rodgers might be eating too much popcorn before games, because he can’t seem to hang onto the ball on kick returns and has lost a few fumbles. Sean Whyte has done a fabulous job kicking the ball through the uprights this year, though, giving his team a shot to put points on the board anywhere after the 40 yard line.
Coaching
Tom Higgins was one bad coach at the beginning on the season. He seemed lost out of the gate and had no control over the players on the field. But his positive enthusiasm has gotten the birds flying high all season, so he managed to keep his job, even with the greedy Jim Popp breathing down his neck. The former director of officiating when from a clueless amateur to a smart coach who uses his challenges well in the latter half of the season. He’s almost at 100% efficiency since the beginning of their 8-2 stretch with the coach’s flag, and he throws it at the perfect moment. His attitude through their 1-7 start may have been the only thing that kept the Alouettes churning.
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