The Rouge Radio Show with myself Jim Beauchamp and 2-time Grey cup Champion Scott Flory will air for the Final time this season on Tuesday at 8pm on The TEAM 990 www.team990.com.
The Als This Week will be another 2 hour extravaganza that will air on Wednesday at 8pm until 10pm. Herb Zurkowsky will join me and we will try and make sense of this past weekend. Plus we will have tons of reaction from the Alouettes Championship parade. We'll let you know the entire slate of guests as the week progresses. For the Als This Week it will also be the last for the CFL season.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Defense Wins Championships
Looking back at the Alouettes improbable Grey Cup victory, there's alot of moments that changed the fortune of the Als.
Was it the 13th man on the field?
Was it Etienne Boulay's fumble recovery?
Was it Jamel Richardson's 3rd down conversion?
Was it Avon Cobourne's Touchdown?
Was it Jerald Brown's interception?
Was it the Riders declining the penalty and accepting the Rouge?
The list goes on and on.
But there are two moments that I really think were the difference in this game for the Alouettes. It was actually two series, two 2 and out series that is.
The Alouettes have been on the losing side of the Grey Cup 5 times this decade and looking back at all of the defensive squads in those games its not comparable to this year's group. Tops in 21 of 25 defensive categories all season, the Als D paced this team to the 15 and 3 record in the regular season.
Even looking back to last years squad, the changes made thier impact yesterday in the Grey Cup. Seven Tackles and an interception for Jerald Brown, 5 tackles and a sack for Chip Cox who is playing Linebacker this year, 4 tackles and an interception for Billy Parker. Then throw in Shea Emry and Ramon Guzman you have 4 more tackles.
Two Series in this game allowed the Alouettes the chance to provide just enough points for the dramatic comeback. The Als defense did what they promised at halftime they went out on the field and made the Riders kick the ball away. The Alouettes came right down the field and scored and it seemed that they got their Swagger back. The second big 2 and out was right after the Als failed their 2 point conversion. Forcing the Riders to kick it again and giving Anthony Calvillo just less than a minute to get the team into Duval's FG Range.
To me these were the moments that played a vital role in the Als victory. The Als offense provided the points however the defense provided the opportunities.
Which ever way you look at it, what ever play you want to circle as the turning point, the ups and downs and lefts and rights of this football game has turned it into an instant classic.
Was it the 13th man on the field?
Was it Etienne Boulay's fumble recovery?
Was it Jamel Richardson's 3rd down conversion?
Was it Avon Cobourne's Touchdown?
Was it Jerald Brown's interception?
Was it the Riders declining the penalty and accepting the Rouge?
The list goes on and on.
But there are two moments that I really think were the difference in this game for the Alouettes. It was actually two series, two 2 and out series that is.
The Alouettes have been on the losing side of the Grey Cup 5 times this decade and looking back at all of the defensive squads in those games its not comparable to this year's group. Tops in 21 of 25 defensive categories all season, the Als D paced this team to the 15 and 3 record in the regular season.
Even looking back to last years squad, the changes made thier impact yesterday in the Grey Cup. Seven Tackles and an interception for Jerald Brown, 5 tackles and a sack for Chip Cox who is playing Linebacker this year, 4 tackles and an interception for Billy Parker. Then throw in Shea Emry and Ramon Guzman you have 4 more tackles.
Two Series in this game allowed the Alouettes the chance to provide just enough points for the dramatic comeback. The Als defense did what they promised at halftime they went out on the field and made the Riders kick the ball away. The Alouettes came right down the field and scored and it seemed that they got their Swagger back. The second big 2 and out was right after the Als failed their 2 point conversion. Forcing the Riders to kick it again and giving Anthony Calvillo just less than a minute to get the team into Duval's FG Range.
To me these were the moments that played a vital role in the Als victory. The Als offense provided the points however the defense provided the opportunities.
Which ever way you look at it, what ever play you want to circle as the turning point, the ups and downs and lefts and rights of this football game has turned it into an instant classic.
Als 2009 Grey Cup Champions
More post game wrap-up will be coming in tomorrow.
The Als trailed 17-3 at half and came back for the 28-27 victory. The dramatics of the end of the game are so inexplainable you just have to sit back and shake your head in wonderment.
Had a chance to speak with a slew of players in the dressing room. The main concept of the talks were about never giving up and believing in their teammates.
At Halftime, Avon Cobourne and Shea Emry got loud, and in the end the defense promised to get Saskatchewan to go 2 and out and then the offense promised they score after the punt. That's how the Als got the ball rolling.
The Als fly out tomorrow morning from Calgary and will be landing at PET at Approximately 5pm.
The 2009 Grey Cup Champions will hold a parade starting at 11:40am on Wednesday. The parade will start at the corner of Crescent and Ste-Catherine, moving down the city's main thoroughfare until it reaches the brand new Place des Festivals on rue Jeanne-Mance. To conclude the event, the Alouettes' cheerleaders will perform a routine followed by a player presentation with the Grey Cup on an outdoor stage.
My Rouge Radio Show co-host Scott Flory told me he wants all the Als fans to grow their beards for the Parade. OK maybe stubble.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
At the Half
The Alouettes are trailing 17-3 to the Riders. The Als Defense has kept the team within two scores. Two big fumbles have been the difference with the first by Anthony Calvillo, which led to the The Riders only TD (Durant to Fantuz) and the second was by Kerry Carter which killed a positive offensive drive by the Als.
Adjustments?
Well the Als need to re-asert themselves on the Riders, they were the best team in the CFL for a reason. When it comes down to pure talent the Als have more.
The first drive of the second half will be huge. The Riders will have the ball, if they score then it'll be a three score game.
For Calvillo, look to Kerry Watkins, 1 catch 2 yards, not enough. Look down field, Only one attempt to go deep and it was a broken play. Or just keep throwing the ball to Cahoon, he's ready to play.
For Special Teams, don't lose focus or should I say re-focus, both All-stars Duval and Taylor look out of sorts in the first half.
On Defence, down by 14 points and with only 3 on the board, they need to take an activate role in producing points. Start ball searching and scratching, the offense needs one big turnover to turn the green tide.
As for the 41 point prediction before the game, if there is a team that can score 38 points in one half then I would guess it's the Als.
Defensively, The Als
Adjustments?
Well the Als need to re-asert themselves on the Riders, they were the best team in the CFL for a reason. When it comes down to pure talent the Als have more.
The first drive of the second half will be huge. The Riders will have the ball, if they score then it'll be a three score game.
For Calvillo, look to Kerry Watkins, 1 catch 2 yards, not enough. Look down field, Only one attempt to go deep and it was a broken play. Or just keep throwing the ball to Cahoon, he's ready to play.
For Special Teams, don't lose focus or should I say re-focus, both All-stars Duval and Taylor look out of sorts in the first half.
On Defence, down by 14 points and with only 3 on the board, they need to take an activate role in producing points. Start ball searching and scratching, the offense needs one big turnover to turn the green tide.
As for the 41 point prediction before the game, if there is a team that can score 38 points in one half then I would guess it's the Als.
Defensively, The Als
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
Grey Cup: Keys to the game
A couple of hours prior to Kick-off here in Calgary here are some keys to the game and my view of the field from the press box, pretty sweet.
For the Riders:
-Make contact with Calvillo. It is quite obvious but they need to get to Anthony Calvillo. It's important for the Riders D-line to make him feel uncomfortable.
-Establish long drives. For two reasons, keep the Als offense off the field and to create confidence with Darian Durant.
-Keep Wes Cates involved. Via the run or the pass, he should get more than 10 touches on the day.
For the Als:
-Score early. So they can block out Rider fans. They will be loud and all over the Als offense an early. An early score will cut into the Riders confidence as well.
-Win the Turnover Battle. Another obvious one, however it will be key for the Als Defense to play a big role in a potential Alouette victory.
-Score in redzone. The Als biggest achilles heel this year. putting up field goals instead Touchdowns. Finish off their drives with a bang
Proof Als Fans Exist in Calgary
Although out numbered by a wide margin, the Als fans are making their voices heard, I visited The Als Huddle last night and as you'll see the Alouette fans were in fine form.
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