CALGARY — Defensive backs Jerald Brown and Billy Parker aren’t exactly household names to even the most diehard CFL fan. But defensive co-ordinator Tim Burke can’t imagine where the Montreal Alouettes would be without them.
Both are Arena Football League refugees in their first CFL seasons who managed to crack the starting lineup of an Alouettes defence that was the league’s most dominant this season and expected to play a key role in Montreal’s quest to beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Grey Cup on Sunday (TSN, 6 p.m. ET).
Burke’s unit was nothing short of outstanding in 2009 as Montreal finished first in 21 of the CFL’s 25 defensive categories. The stout defence, combined with a high-scoring offence under the guidance of two-time league MVP Anthony Calvillo combined to lead the Als to a CFL-best 15-3 regular-season record.
And Burke credits the arrival of Brown and Parker as two reasons for Montreal’s defensive dominance.
“The addition of Jerald Brown and Billy Parker at halfback has allowed us to play better man defence,” Burke said. “Part of the reason we’re better on defence is because we’ve been able to play better man defence than in the past.
“And it’s just maturity in the system for the guys from last year. Continuity is a good thing.”
Brown, 28, was a five-year AFL veteran who in ’06 was named the league’s top defensive player after registering a league-high 11 interceptions and 133 interception-return yards. The five-foot-11, 185-pound Brown didn’t waste any time contributing to Montreal’s defensive attack, recording four interceptions to finish tied for the team lead while making 45 tackles.
Parker also spent five seasons in the AFL before joining the Als this season. In 2005 he was an all-rookie selection and first-team all-star with the New York Dragons. This year, the six-foot, 195-pound Parker had two interceptions and 37 tackles.
Montreal’s defence didn’t skip a beat with the newcomers in the lineup, finishing first in the CFL in fewest points allowed (18 per game), total yards allowed (296.1 per game), yards passing (245.7 per game) and rushing yards (75.1 per game). Talk about creating a challenge for an opposing offensive co-ordinator, especially considering the Alouettes were second overall in sacks recorded with 42.
Watch the Alouettes defence and the unit’s most glaring strength is its overall speed. The players are quick to the ball and usually come en masse like a swarm of angry hornets.
“We left a mark out there, and that was we’re fast, hard-hitting and we get to the ball,” said defensive back Diamond Ferri. “And if we need to sacrifice our bodies we will to make a play.
“We do what we’re supposed to do, proper assignment, proper technique, and we fly around out there.”
And the Alouettes force turnovers. They led the league in turnovers on downs (19) and were second in interceptions (24) but led the way in interceptions return yards (455). Linebacker Chip Cox — a transformed defensive back — and Bauman both forced five fumbles to finished tied for the CFL lead in that category.
As a unit, Montreal forced a league-high 63 turnovers, nine more than the second-place Roughriders.
Offensively, Saskatchewan was fourth overall in total turnovers with 49 (23 interceptions, 15 fumbles, 11 on downs), which seems to play right into the hands of Montreal’s rugged defence.
Much has been made this week of Montreal’s lack of Grey Cup success recently. The Alouettes are making their seventh CFL title game appearance since 2000 yet only have one victory.
But the strength of the defence this year would seem to be the great equalizer. Montreal has the speed up front to get to and pressure Durant, who will be appearing in his first Grey Cup game as a starter. It’s a time-tested belief in football that defences do win championships and here’s thinking the Alouettes only add to that thinking.
And the winner is: Montreal