While Noel Thorpe acknowledges the work of attacking players, he fully subscribes to the old adage that offenses sell tickets and defenses win championships in football.
“Football remains a team game, but the same thing still applies: It’s the defenses that win championships,” the Alouettes’ defensive coordinator said with a smile.
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“If you’re a defensive coach or a defensive player, of course it’s natural to believe in it,” added Thorpe, an assistant to head coach Jason Maas. But at the moment we are not facing a championship game.
Of course, before dreaming of the next Gray Cup final, the Alouettes must prepare for Saturday’s Eastern semifinal game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Percival Molson Stadium. If they win, the Montreal club would also have quite a challenge against the Argonauts the following weekend in Toronto. The same applies here: without defense there is no salvation.
The dirty work…
Even if it’s not a championship game, Alouettes fans will of course be watching the plays of quarterback Cody Fajardo, pass catcher Austin Mack and running back William Stanback on Saturday. However, they also have an interest in checking out the work of Shawn Lemon, Darnell Sankey, Tyrice Beverette and Marc-Antoine Dequoy, among others, on defense. Above all, they are the ones who want to decide the fate of the Alouettes against quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and his favorite target Tim White.
“In general, defense doesn’t get the same credit as offensive players, but without the defensive players’ dirty work, it becomes very difficult to win a championship,” Beverette agreed early in the playoffs when asked in return.
Photo Martin Chevalier
The aim is not to create internal competition, but rather we must recognize the solid work of the Alouettes’ defense. Montreal allowed just 392 points in 18 games last season, an average of 21.8 points allowed per game, the lowest among the four teams in the East Section. Excluding the 47-17 defeat in Winnipeg in August, that average is almost 20 points.
The influence of Don Matthews
The famous expression that defenses win championships is attributed to Paul “Bear” Bryant, head coach of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide for nearly 25 years, from 1958 to 1982.
“Bear Bryant is a legend,” Thorpe said. I have read several of his books. His way of teaching and leading players is an inspiration to many coaches, especially given all the success he has had.”
With all due respect to Bryant, Thorpe instead looks to coaches he knew personally when identifying his role models. The name of the late Don Matthews, at whose side he won the Gray Cup with the Alouettes in 2002 as special teams leader, is a given for him.
The Montreal Journal
“I was fortunate to come into this league with Don Matthews, who was the winningest head coach in the CFL at the time,” Thorpe said of the man later overtaken by Wally Buono. From a defensive perspective, Don was a mentor to me, I am without a doubt one of the coaches who was heavily influenced by him.”
No points in the first half
Before becoming head coach, Matthews served as defensive coordinator in the CFL in Edmonton in the early 1980s. It should be recalled that during the Alouettes’ conquest in 2002, Montreal I won 25 to 16 against the Eskimos, who did not give up any points in the first half. The critical importance of defense in football playoff games is much more than just an old Bear Bryant saying that has stood the test of time.
Another example? During the 33rd Vanier Cup Final as coach of the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds in 1997, Thorpe saw the team concede just seven points after the first three quarters. The Thunderbirds ultimately won 39:23 against the Ottawa Gee-Gees. It’s understandable that Thorpe sticks to this saying.
In summary:
- Alouettes defensive lineman Mustafa Johnson was named to the Canadian Football League All-Star team for the month of October.
- Injured Quebecer Pier-Olivier Lestage, who plays on offense, remains an uncertain case ahead of Saturday’s Eastern semifinal against the Tiger-Cats.