you know the song Black Betty? This is a famous Lead Belly catchy tune popularized by the band Ram Jam in the 70’s taken over by the group Spiderbait in the 90s, which I unfortunately associate with a painful break from routine.
For the Alouettes players, hope is that the organization will challenge their athletes in other ways at this crucial time of the season. The Montreal club are currently at the center of a run of 12 games in as many weeks on the calendar. The possibility of falling into a simple routine during practice and games is a real danger. Players must therefore be aware of the need for constant improvement. By the way, coaches have a lot of tricks to keep the squad happy.
• Also read: The Alouettes play hide and seek with Cody Fajardo
Black Betty’s story goes back to when I was playing with the Calgary Stampeders. In this case, the situation has to be attributed to George Hopkins, the Stampeders’ famous equipment manager, but I suspect the coaches were aware of it. Hopkins, an expert in his field, claimed that a player on the team disrespected him and, to punish us, played the song “Black Betty” repeatedly throughout a practice session. “Bam-ba lam” and “Bam-ba lam,” it was amazing. Even once in the dressing room, after training, he played the same music again. In the meantime, we’ve been looking for whoever was guilty of rushing Hopkins, but we’ve never found him.
If the situation was unbearable, then such a day inevitably broke the routine. I still believe that the Alouettes organization will find better ways to do this.
Every day counts
With the current schedule, Alouettes players must avoid going to training with the impression that they are simply getting back to work. You must always have a desire to develop and move forward. Every training session counts, every game too.
For the day on Wednesday, my colleague from the journal Benoît Rioux told me that the team played country music during practice. A nod to Friday’s theme night at Percival-Molson Stadium, where the Alouettes will host the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Whether you like country or not, it’s definitely better than “Black Betty” on repeats…
The Roughriders just helped the Alouettes up the standings by beating the Ottawa Redblacks on Sunday. If things go well for the Montreal club, I can’t wait to see if the Alouettes can beat the Saskatchewan representative. Quarterback Cody Fajardo could then face his old team unless he gets a day off with Caleb Evans or Davis Alexander.
Fajardo’s right hand
We know that Fajardo is physically affected. In the recent victory over the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton, he had to fend off a violent blow to the left shoulder. However, I believe that Fajardo will also be hit in the right hand. At least that was the impression he gave me when he was caught in the last game. He doesn’t always seem to have a good grip or the strength to grab the ball.
Injuries are part of the job. For the rest, players need to avoid routine and hone the details of their game and focus on their technique. It is not during the season that an athlete begins to run faster or jump higher.
Emilus, a proud Montrealer
In the Roughriders camp, I want to draw your attention to Montreal wide receiver Samuel Emilus. He could be one to watch against the Alouettes.
Otherwise the game on Friday could be a special team fight. Roughriders head coach Craig Dickenson places a lot of emphasis on this side of the game and knows a lot about it.
-Comments collected by Benoît Rioux