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“If you hustle and have unhealthy intentions if you get there, good issues typically occur,” head coach Jason Maas says.
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It has solely been three video games, however the Alouettes’ defence this season appears to be like like it may be one thing particular.
Even head coach Jason Maas can’t assist however sit again and benefit from the total stinginess and massive performs being made by defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe’s unit. Time will inform whether or not Montreal has the CFL’s greatest defence, however it’s gaining notoriety with every spectacular efficiency.
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“They create turnovers and create alternatives,” Maas mentioned. “When the ball’s in another person’s arms, we anticipate that’s a possibility for us. Somebody’s going to pay the value. That’s what we’d wish to see occur time and time once more. We hustle to the ball. If you hustle and have unhealthy intentions if you get there, good issues typically occur. That’s how we’re constructed defensively.
“I’m not shocked after we get turnovers. I’m not shocked after we hit folks laborious and issues occur for us. That’s how we play.”
The Als improved to 3-0 with a 47-21 victory over Ottawa final Thursday, a rating that was deceptive, contemplating Montreal’s particular groups allowed one of many Redblacks’ touchdowns on Devonte Dedmon’s 101-yard kickoff return early within the fourth quarter.
The Als’ defence produced 4 turnovers — two fumble recoveries, an interception and the final on downs. Montreal has allowed a modest 53 factors by means of three video games and has compelled a league-leading 10 turnovers, together with 4 interceptions and 4 fumbles.
“We pleasure ourselves on turnovers and making performs, not simply tackles,” middle-linebacker Darnell Sankey mentioned. “We need to make performs on the ball. We work always on getting the ball out. When the sport (begins) we anticipate to get turnovers.”
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Montreal’s defence is a swarming unit that assaults and tackles in waves. The defenders need to punish opposing gamers following a reception or dashing play. And Sankey may be among the many league’s hardest hitters, as demonstrated by his deal with on Ottawa’s Bralon Addison — a devastating, bone-jarring collision.
“He tackles with unhealthy intentions,” Maas mentioned. “Whether or not you need to name that old skool or not, that’s how center linebackers hit. In case you catch the ball in entrance of 1, they’re going to make you pay for it.
“It’s not one man tackling typically, it may be 4, 5 or 6. There are occasions I’m watching movie and I see eight guys across the ball. That’s what we need to be as a defence. We need to hustle to the ball and create alternatives. That’s what our defence does. That’s why you see turnovers occur.”
Offensively, the Als took a 30-1 result in their dressing room at halftime. Not solely did Montreal rating on its opening possession for a second consecutive recreation, it produced factors on three straight drives, taking a commanding 17-0 lead earlier than the primary quarter ended.
“That first half was about nearly as good a soccer as you’ll be able to play,” Maas mentioned. “Scoring on the primary drive clearly is what you need to do. You need to rating every time. You’ve bought to execute. Our guys have been executing proper from the beginning. It units the tone for the sport. With the kind of defence we’ve and the particular groups we play, you’d wish to suppose if you happen to begin the sport with the lead you’re going to proceed main.”
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The Als’ offence had a little bit of a letdown within the third quarter. They have been outscored 11-0 and the Redblacks threatened to make issues attention-grabbing. However Montreal completed strongly within the last interval, producing 17 extra factors to quash the customer’s intentions.
“We didn’t have that step-on-the-throat mentality,” quarterback Cody Fajardo mentioned of his staff’s sluggish play following the break. “We have to perceive the rating’s all the time 0-0. For a minute it appeared like they have been going to get again within the recreation. However this staff’s resilient. We’re going to discover ways to discover a method to come out within the second half with a giant lead and proceed to stack factors.”
Maas wish to see his staff scale back its penalties. Towards Ottawa, they took seven infractions for 85 yards. Ottawa conversely took 9 for 115. Montreal has been penalized 24 instances this season for 193 yards. However in any other case he has little to complain about.
One other spectacular facet of Montreal’s early-season run is the staff is being led by two Canadian receivers, which is just about unprecedented within the CFL. Tyson Philpot is second within the league with 23 catches for 340 yards and three touchdowns. He caught eight for 150 in opposition to the Redblacks. Kaion Julien-Grant added eight receptions for 116 yards, rising his season totals to 16 catches for 235 yards.
The Als meet the Argonauts in Toronto Friday night time in a battle of unbeaten groups.
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
twitter.com/HerbZurkowsky1
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