“When you hustle and have bad intentions when you get there, good things generally happen,” head coach Jason Maas says.
It has only been three games, but the Alouettes’ defence this season looks like it can be something special.
Even head coach Jason Maas can’t help but sit back and enjoy the overall stinginess and big plays being made by defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe’s unit. Time will tell whether Montreal has the CFL’s best defence, but it is gaining notoriety with each impressive performance.
“They create turnovers and create opportunities,” Maas said. “When the ball’s in someone else’s hands, we expect that’s an opportunity for us. Someone’s going to pay the price. That’s what we’d like to see happen time and time again. We hustle to the ball. When you hustle and have bad intentions when you get there, good things generally happen. That’s how we’re built defensively.
“I’m not surprised when we get turnovers. I’m not surprised when we hit people hard and things happen for us. That’s how we play.”
The Als’ defence produced four turnovers — two fumble recoveries, an interception and the last on downs. Montreal has allowed a modest 53 points through three games and has forced a league-leading 10 turnovers, including four interceptions and four fumbles.
Montreal’s defence is a swarming unit that attacks and tackles in waves. The defenders want to punish opposing players following a reception or rushing play. And Sankey might be among the league’s hardest hitters, as demonstrated by his tackle on Ottawa’s Bralon Addison — a devastating, bone-jarring collision.
“He tackles with bad intentions,” Maas said. “Whether you want to call that old school or not, that’s how middle linebackers hit. If you catch the ball in front of one, they’re going to make you pay for it.
“It’s not one guy tackling generally, it can be four, five or six. There are times I’m watching film and I see eight guys around the ball. That’s what we want to be as a defence. We want to hustle to the ball and create opportunities. That’s what our defence does. That’s why you see turnovers happen.”
Offensively, the Als took a 30-1 lead to their dressing room at halftime. Not only did Montreal score on its opening possession for a second consecutive game, it produced points on three straight drives, taking a commanding 17-0 lead before the first quarter ended.
“That first half was about as good a football as you can play,” Maas said. “Scoring on the first drive obviously is what you want to do. You want to score each and every time. You’ve got to execute. Our guys have been executing right from the start. It sets the tone for the game. With the type of defence we have and the special teams we play, you’d like to think if you start the game with the lead you’re going to continue leading.”
The Als’ offence had a bit of a letdown in the third quarter. They were outscored 11-0 and the Redblacks threatened to make things interesting. But Montreal finished strongly in the final period, producing 17 additional points to quash the visitor’s intentions.
Maas would like to see his team reduce its penalties. Against Ottawa, they took seven infractions for 85 yards. Ottawa conversely took nine for 115. Montreal has been penalized 24 times this season for 193 yards. But otherwise he has little to complain about.
The Als meet the Argonauts in Toronto Friday night in a battle of unbeaten teams.