David Kicking Away

By Mitch Gallo

Colt David’s Canadian Football League debut with the Montreal Alouettes was perfect.

Taking over for injured kicker Damon Duval, David was successful on all six of his field goal attempts and added four converts.

“I felt good, there’s always room to improve on everything, but I was thankful I was able to help my team come ahead with the win,“ said David. “You can always improve on everything from kickoffs to punting you can always do better because you never have a perfect game as a kicker.”

The Alouettes beat up on the Calgary Stampeders on Thanksgiving Monday by a score of 46-19 and Montreal’s kicker was responsible for 22 of those points.

Montreal had a clean sweep of the player of the week honors with Anthony Calvillo taking the offensive honors, Anwar Stewart taking the defensive award and David being name the best player on special teams.

“It was a pretty big accomplishment, you know I didn’t even know until the day at practice but I couldn’t have done it without my teammates so I’m thankful for their help in getting me in good situations and providing good blocking, snaps and holds. I just did a small part,” explained David.

Despite being soft spoken and mild-tempered, the Alouette backup kicker doesn’t feel pressure because of the big stages that he’s already played on.

“I don’t really get nervous, playing at Louisiana State University we played in some pretty big games but it felt good to play and be a part of a team again but I wasn’t really nervous,” said the former LSU kicker.

David got his second opportunity on Sunday afternoon as the Montreal Alouettes hosted the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Not the second showing David was hoping for, he went two for five kicking field goals and had trouble punting the ball.

Duval is battling a hamstring tear that is giving him difficulties while punting. He appears to be close to returning to the lineup but has been fully supportive of his fill in.

“I think he’s done a great job, it’s such a big part of this league kicking and getting good field position so he’s just got to continue to step up and continue to do a great job,” said Duval.

David’s in a tough spot right now, not knowing whether he should settle in or search for the next opportunity. For the time being , he’s taking it day by day.

“It’s hard trying to settle in, you don’t know what to do with groceries, food, stuff like that you don’t want to go and buy stuff and then you’re going home,” said David. “Right now I’m just happy to be part of a team and be playing football.”

Battle of Kicks

As our good friend Herb Z from the Gazette pointed out to on Tuesday. The Alouettes will have to play week 15 against Calgary without Kicker Damon Duval who has a Hamstring injury.

Two Kickers are trying out for the gig this week at practice.
Colt David, Alouettes fans remember him from pre-season fame in Winnipeg.
Amd Sam Swank who was recently cut from the New York football Giants.

If Duval is out long term I can see this being an issue, but for one week, why don't we just call this fun. As a former football Kicker myself, I should have thrown my name in the hat for Coach Trestman, I used to be gold form 42 yards in. Now I'm getting off topic.

Special teams are so important in the CFL game 1/3 of the plays, so whoever wins will have an impact on the Alouettes ability to beat the top team in the league on monday.

Als Finish Season with a Bang

Here's the pre-game prediction. But to make Als fans feel at ease, here's a pic of Damon Duval kicking in warm up from the 51 yard line. It was good and landed 15 yards deep in the end-zone.

Mitch Gallo who has been giving me his Predictions is MIA out in Rimouski. So to fill in our good friend from CTV and The TEAM 990 Mr. Randy Tieman gave me his score as well.

Randy likes the Als 42-23.

I'm on that bandwagon too, as I said on Melnick in the Afternoon on The TEAM 990 on Friday, Als should take this one. 41-28. It'll be closer than Als fans would like and look for a late defensive TD to be the game-breaker.

Throughout the game, I'll be on www.twitter.com/seanrcampbell with game updates and observations

It's Getting Ugly

The Als Playoff Beards are in full effect. Some of them are getting quite straggly. Some players have decided to maintain the chaos. However I do think that Duval, Flory and Cobourne take the cake for unkept facial madness.

Duval did the curtosy beard stoke for quick maintenance before posing.

Flory says his not only feels like velcro, but actually works better than velcro

Avon has started wearing the tight hoody to protect himself form his own beard

65-yard game winning FG possible- Duval

Had a nice chat with Damon Duval today about the wind at MaMahon Stadium, the elements of Canadian weather in late November and how much leg he has if called upon.

Damon said "Games on the line and we have to go for it, 65 yards or less we have a shot". That means the Als could be on their own 53 yard line and line-up for a field goal. I've seen Duval kick in practice, he's not lying.

He also noted that his longest ever in practice was 72 yards at Loyola Campus last year and his longest in a game was back in high school when he kicked a 54-yarder. In the CFL it's tough for a coach to attempt a over 55 yards unless theres no time remaining in the game, because of the high percentage of returns on long Missed Field Goals.

However, the Als know they have a confident Kicker waiting for his turn, if the score does such dictate.