The Montreal Alouettes get this week off, before returning to work on Saturday in preparation for the East Final on Sunday November 21st at the Big O.
The Als will be able to sit back and watch The Hamilton Ti-cats host The Toronto Argonauts, hopefully for them in a tight, hard-fought, Gruelling affair.
However, The Als will have to look back at the 2010 with mixed feelings
-a 12-6 record (losing 2 of the 3 meaningless ga,mes at season's end).
-475 points against only 5th best in a league of 8, Both Toronto and Hamilton gave up less.
-A 5-4 road record which has only one convincing road win in Winnipeg.
These are numbers sure, but the fact is the Alouettes were not playing convincing football for the past month. To look on the opposite side of that, the Alouettes are veteran group with veteran leaders which means two things: 1- they know how to win
2-they know they don't have much time left to win again.
So I do believe that the mentality of the 2010 edition of the Als means alot in their off week. They need to realise they are in the driver's seat, be it Toronto or Hamilton that comes to Olympic Stadium in a couple of weeks. They are favored, they haven't lost at home with AC under centre since 2008.
With all the negative that has been flyign around, there is some positive. I'm sure Head Coach Marc trestman is aware of that when he gets things ready for a thourough week of practice
Showing posts with label Marc Trestman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marc Trestman. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
Cobourne's Running Trend
Sorry that I missed my post game Alservations following the Als 41-10 victory over Toronto, but there really wasn't much to say. The Als as predicted are a much better team than the Argos.
It was good for Alouette fans to see the Avon Cobourne still has it, not that there was any doubt but its always a positive sign when one of the keys to the Alouettes Offence plays such a dominant role.
28 touches (20 rushes and 8 receptions) tied a career high for Cobourne who in 2008 v Win and 2009 v Ham was able to handle the ball that many times.
However this Friday the Alouettes have the fun task of facing the 4-1 Saskatchewan Roughriders, who topped the Als 54-51 Classic in the 2010 CFL Kick-Off Markee Match-up.
It seems at least against The Roughriders, As Avon Cobourne goes as do the Alouettes.
Since week 3 of 2009 The Alouettes have faced the Roughriders 4 times, with Friday's contest being #5.
In week 3 of 2009, Avon Cobourne ran for 146 yards, the Als won by 33 points.
In week 8 of 2009, Avon Cobourne ran for 101 yards, the Als won by 9 points.
In The Grey Cup of 2009, Avon Cobourne ran for 85 yards, the Als won by 1 point.
In week 1 of 2010, Avon Cobourne ran for 39 yards, the als lost by 3 points.
By golly has Ken Miller figured the secret code to unlocking the Alouettes amazing offence... maybe, just maybe. it is clear over the last year and change Miller has been able to adjust his strategy to improve each time he's faced the Als.
It's now Marc Trestman's turn.
-----Notes-----
Please note 'Als This Week' will air at 7pm(est) on The TEAM 990 Radio in montreal or www.team990.com
It was good for Alouette fans to see the Avon Cobourne still has it, not that there was any doubt but its always a positive sign when one of the keys to the Alouettes Offence plays such a dominant role.
28 touches (20 rushes and 8 receptions) tied a career high for Cobourne who in 2008 v Win and 2009 v Ham was able to handle the ball that many times.
However this Friday the Alouettes have the fun task of facing the 4-1 Saskatchewan Roughriders, who topped the Als 54-51 Classic in the 2010 CFL Kick-Off Markee Match-up.
It seems at least against The Roughriders, As Avon Cobourne goes as do the Alouettes.
Since week 3 of 2009 The Alouettes have faced the Roughriders 4 times, with Friday's contest being #5.
In week 3 of 2009, Avon Cobourne ran for 146 yards, the Als won by 33 points.
In week 8 of 2009, Avon Cobourne ran for 101 yards, the Als won by 9 points.
In The Grey Cup of 2009, Avon Cobourne ran for 85 yards, the Als won by 1 point.
In week 1 of 2010, Avon Cobourne ran for 39 yards, the als lost by 3 points.
By golly has Ken Miller figured the secret code to unlocking the Alouettes amazing offence... maybe, just maybe. it is clear over the last year and change Miller has been able to adjust his strategy to improve each time he's faced the Als.
It's now Marc Trestman's turn.
-----Notes-----
Please note 'Als This Week' will air at 7pm(est) on The TEAM 990 Radio in montreal or www.team990.com
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
It's All In Their Heads
Big news in the CFL today as they will be moving forward with headsets in the QB's helmets. Another positive step for the CFL as they continue to grow year by year.
It took awhile for the CFL to get HD replay for the referees, however they got it and they got it right. Headsets for the QBs may be years behind the NFL, however it is now in effect.
Coaches will be able to communicate with their QBs up until 10 seconds left on the play clock and the headsets won't be turned back on until the play is whistled dead.
What does this mean for the Alouettes? More offense. This can only benefit a team that is already on the same page offensively. The Als are a team that can run a hurry up offense at ease, meaning coach Trestman will be able to communicate to Calvillo even more knowledge at times of need. The two already have a great relationship this piece of technology can't hurt the potent tandem.
The Headsets are only one-way, meaning the QBs will not be able talkback to their coaches, I'm sure the coaching staffs prefer it that way.
-------------------------
Camp notes:
-Gavin Walls is out with a torn ACL in this knee, he suffered the injury on the opening day of camp.
-I'll be making the 2-hour trek to Sherbrooke tomorrow morning for camp, I'll be tweeting updates at www.twitter.com/seanrcampbell
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Expectations in the East Final
Sunday's East Final will be in the hands of two knowledgeable football minds. The two Head Coaches in this game Marc Trestman and Wally Buono could make the biggest impact on the end result. Sure Casey Printers is back under the helm for the B.C. Lions and Anthony Calvillo is coming off another MOP candidate season, but Trestman and Buono are definately the masterminds of their chess pieces.
B.C. Lions chess pieces aren't as nice as Montreals however do not underestimate Wally Buono because he knows how to win. As stated on an earlier MFG post, Buono is a 4-time Grey Cup champion and a 3-time CFL coach of the year. Looking at Marc Trestman's CFL career it's a little less distiguished and alot shorter. Trestman was a finalist for Coach of the year last year and watched the Coach Hufnagel grab the grey Cup from him in his first year as a CFL bench boss.
However, you can put all the awards, stats, records and game planning to the side. For both coaches one of their biggest tasks will be to set the mentality of the dressing room heading into kickoff tomorrow at 1pm at the Big O. The B.C. Lions finished the regular season at 8-10, including losing their last three games before defeating the Hamilton Ti-Cats in the Crossover East Semi-final only because the Blue Bombers lost their final regular season game at home. No one likes saying backing into the playoffs, but that is pretty close to a definition. Whereas the Alouettes clinched their playoff spot after week 13.
Expectations can drive a team and can also hamper a team. The East final has two teams on the opposite side of the spectrum when it comes to expectations. This is why it is so important for both coaches to make sure their teams can mentally handle their expectations or lack there of in this years CFL Playoffs. Wally Buono has been head coaching in the CFL since 1990 and Trestman is finishing his second year as a head coach ever let alone in the CFL. So in regards to handling the dressing room you cannot throw away the fact that Buono out experiences Trestman in that regard.
However, players and coaches on the Montreal Alouettes are not looking past the B.C.Lions or Wally Buono. Marc Trestman knows what has to occur prior to even considering to book a flight to Calgary next week.
The first quarter will be the biggest indicator for both coaches to see how the opposition is handling their respective expection level of the East Final. See if one team gets up big early and you'll have your answer. If it's still close, then you know both coaches got the job done.
B.C. Lions chess pieces aren't as nice as Montreals however do not underestimate Wally Buono because he knows how to win. As stated on an earlier MFG post, Buono is a 4-time Grey Cup champion and a 3-time CFL coach of the year. Looking at Marc Trestman's CFL career it's a little less distiguished and alot shorter. Trestman was a finalist for Coach of the year last year and watched the Coach Hufnagel grab the grey Cup from him in his first year as a CFL bench boss.
However, you can put all the awards, stats, records and game planning to the side. For both coaches one of their biggest tasks will be to set the mentality of the dressing room heading into kickoff tomorrow at 1pm at the Big O. The B.C. Lions finished the regular season at 8-10, including losing their last three games before defeating the Hamilton Ti-Cats in the Crossover East Semi-final only because the Blue Bombers lost their final regular season game at home. No one likes saying backing into the playoffs, but that is pretty close to a definition. Whereas the Alouettes clinched their playoff spot after week 13.
Expectations can drive a team and can also hamper a team. The East final has two teams on the opposite side of the spectrum when it comes to expectations. This is why it is so important for both coaches to make sure their teams can mentally handle their expectations or lack there of in this years CFL Playoffs. Wally Buono has been head coaching in the CFL since 1990 and Trestman is finishing his second year as a head coach ever let alone in the CFL. So in regards to handling the dressing room you cannot throw away the fact that Buono out experiences Trestman in that regard.
However, players and coaches on the Montreal Alouettes are not looking past the B.C.Lions or Wally Buono. Marc Trestman knows what has to occur prior to even considering to book a flight to Calgary next week.
The first quarter will be the biggest indicator for both coaches to see how the opposition is handling their respective expection level of the East Final. See if one team gets up big early and you'll have your answer. If it's still close, then you know both coaches got the job done.
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