Monday, 21 May 2012
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Why the Habs can make it back to the Playoffs Next Season
Check out my article on bleacherreport.com about how the Canadiens can make it back to the playoffs next season.
Friday, 18 May 2012
Alouettes Bring On Former Chicago Bears Player Garrett Wolfe
With the Montreal Alouettes adding four players to their training camp roster one name to keep an eye for is former Chicago Bears running back Garrett Wolfe.
Wolfe had a fine career at Northern Illinois University where he accumulated 5,136-yards. He moved on to the Bears where he was a serviceable player during his four years with the organization.
However, in 2011 Wolfe did run into trouble with the law where he was arrested at a Miami night club for an altercation. Charges were later dropped.
He did sign on with the United Football League’s Omaha Nighthawks.
Wolfe could make the roster as a special team’s player, and he maybe given a chance to crack the deep running back rotation to provide starter Brandon Whitaker a breather.
Follow me on Twitter @MoeKhan19
Listen to me every Sunday and Tuesday nights on Gamepoints, every Friday morning on The Midnight Snack, and various shows on TSN 990.
Photo credit: articles.chicagotribune.com
Shea Emry Could Be Key To the Alouettes Defense Success
In 2011, there’s no hiding the fact that injuries curtailed the Montreal Alouettes hopes of winning a third consecutive Grey Cup.
The team's depth was so depleted to the point that it seemed they were literally signing players off the street.
But one injury that deeply hobbled the Alouettes was linebacker Shea Emry. When the UBC product went down with an upper body injury it hurt the ratio status, given that he is a non-import playing a position normally occupied by an American.
But beyond Emry’s ratio status, he has the explosiveness to burst through the gaps to make a play in the backfield. He has the quickness and speed needed to keep up step for step with the inside receivers. Finally he has a high football IQ that enabled him to dissect a play before it happened.
When he went down, the team was missing these essentials on the field. Not to say that his cohorts were incapable of replacing him in the lineup. But it is hard duplicate this.
With much rumoured talk of new defensive coordinator Jeff Reinebold toying with the idea of implementing a 3-4 base formation. This would require Emry and the second level players to make plays.
If the team employs this new look defense, it could bode well to Emry’s skills. The linebackers would be required to be very active as the front three defensive linemen will eat up space for them.
For Emry this might have been a very long offseason. But for those who have seen online his offseason workouts with teammate Etienne Boulay, Emry looks primed, and ready to go.
Already the competition is heating up given the Alouettes have signed in Rod Davis, and Mark Restelli to loaded position.
Furthermore, with the release of former starter Ramon Guzman, it could serve as a warning that no player’s job is safe. Every linebacker will have to earn their repetitions. Emry is eager to repay the faith that the Alouettes have in him.
If the organization is to make it back to the Grey Cup in Toronto, it will be imperative that Emry is healthy and terrorizing opponents on the football field.
Follow me on Twitter @MoeKhan19
Listen to me every Sunday and Tuesday nights on Gamepoints, every Friday morning on The Midnight Snack, and various shows on TSN 990.
Photo Credit: www.cbc.ca
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Could Brandon Whitaker Be The First Ever Running Back To Reach 1000 Rushing And Receiving Yards In The Same Season?
In the world of sports aside from winning championships, statistical accomplishments will be the measuring the stick for a player’s career.
Whether it is achieving 40-homeruns and steals in Major League Baseball, scoring 50-goals in 50-games in the National Hockey League, or averaging 30-points a game in the National Basketball Association. Statistics will always be a discussed topic around the water cooler.
In the Canadian Football League, to date no running back has ever accomplished 1,000-rushing and receiving yards in the same season. This feat seems nearly impossible to reach considering how this brand of football is more of an aerial assault with more players on the field than the National Football League.
But if there is one player who could potentially have a chance at reaching this plateau it is Montreal Alouettes own Brandon Whitaker.
In 2011 the Baylor product had amassed 1,381-rushing yards, and 638-receiving yards. In-fact, his receiving yards was higher than Bakari Grant (Hamilton Tiger-Cats), Akeem Foster (B.C. Lions), and Romby Bryant (Calgary Stampeders).
Let’s consider why Whitaker could have a shot at this these two numbers. He was the only player with a minimum of 200-carries to average six yards a rush. He ranked seventh in the league with 72-reeptions. Automatically his cohorts, S.J. Green, and Jamel Richardson will be paid a lot of attention due to how dangerous they are. Therefore, there could be fewer defenders inside the box spying on Whitaker.
There is no denying that Brian Bratton, and Brandon London will be also benefiting as well. But for an immediate completion Whitaker could very well profit with the underneath yards.
The Alouettes are entering a dark period with upper management not having a president in-place, and overall business not as strong. The on-field product will be looking to regain their old form prior to last season. The value of a running back is immense for an offense. Just ask the Lions who last year relied on Andrew Harris in winning the title.
Whitaker could have a big say on how this offense functions. If he does, it could create a lot of headaches for defensive coordinators across the league that might not be able to stop this vaunted lineup.
Follow me on Twitter @MoeKhan19
Listen to me every Sunday and Tuesday night on Gamepoints, every Friday morning on The Midnight Snack, and various shows on TSN 990.
Photo Credit: www.cyberpresse.ca
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