HAMILTON | This 110th Gray Cup final will primarily be a duel between the Alouettes’ defensive unit and the Blue Bombers’ strong attack. In fact, we also need to see how quarterback Cody Fajardo will manage the ball against Winnipeg’s excellent defense. The famous battle of ball losses carries the risk of deciding the outcome of the game. Everyone has to contribute to the team hoping to win, including the special teams.
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The defence
Larks
The Alouettes’ defense, which primarily consists of Shawn Lemon and Ciante Evans (#4), will have to stand up to an offense that is running at full speed. Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
With all due respect, we must first highlight the contribution of the Alouettes’ defensive unit. This explains the presence of the Montreal team in this Gray Cup final. Under the supervision of defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe, the players prepare expertly. So much so that they managed a total of nine turnovers in their 38-17 win over the Toronto Argonauts in the Eastern final. An interception for a touchdown by Marc-Antoine Dequoy and Kabion Ento each against the Argos could have a big impact in this final. The arrival of lineman Shawn Lemon in July and Darnell Sankey in September transformed the team.
Blue bombers
Watch out for the Blue Bombers defense unit! In addition to being the team with the most points (594) in the entire Canadian Football League this season, the Bombers are also the team that has allowed the fewest (377). If there’s one player to keep an eye on, it’s probably Demerio Houston. The Bombers cornerback led the Canadian Football League with seven interceptions in the regular season and added an eighth steal in last week’s Western final against the British Columbia Lions. Losing the ball could decide the fate of this final.
The attack
Larks
Cody Fajardo archive photo, Martin Chevalier
Quarterback Cody Fajardo is certainly not the best at his position, but he has become a master at running the ball. He won’t hesitate to take a sack rather than risk a turnover. Don’t expect a lot of points from the Alouettes… Fajardo’s goal is to stay patient and distribute the oval object well to his numerous receivers to gain first downs. The work of the offensive line could determine the course of the game. Fajardo will have to rely on the big men at the line of scrimmage and anyone called upon to block, including running back William Stanback.
Blue bombers
Zach Collaros archive photo, AFP
There’s a lot of talk about quarterback Zach Collaros, but running back Brady Oliveira is a dangerous weapon. The latter was also the grand finalist in the West for the Canadian Football League MVP title. For good reason, this Canadian player covered 1,534 yards
in the regular season in addition to gaining 482 yards airborne. He scored a total of 13 touchdowns. Pass catcher Dalton Schoen remains a questionable case, but Nic Demski and Kenny Lawler could be interesting targets for Collaros.
Special forces
Larks And Blue bombers
Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
The contribution of special teams is all too often underestimated in Canadian football. If defense explains the Alouettes’ success, players who play in that facet of the game recognize that the Montreal team’s special teams make their job easier. In an interview earlier this week, linebacker Tyrice Beverette explained that the defensive unit often benefits from good positioning on the field. “Whether it’s coverage or our punt returns, the human joystick helps us,” noted Beverette, who goes by the nickname James Letcher Jr. Obviously, in the event of a close duel, the performance of kicker David Côté will be crucial. Every point for the Alouettes will be important. We give the Alouettes the advantage to position themselves well. The Blue Bombers also rely on standout field goal kicker Sergio Castillo, who made 46 kicks in 51 attempts during the regular season, for a 90.2% efficiency rate.
The importance of trainers
Coaches Mike O’Shea and Jason Mass shook hands during the traditional pre-final press conference earlier this week. Photo Benoit Rioux
Jason Maas of the Alouettes and Mike O’Shea of the Blue Bombers have each other the utmost respect. They also won a Gray Cup together as coaches with the Toronto Argonauts in 2012. A similar philosophy for motivating troops. However, this time there will only be one winner.
