Ed Philion's blog

Allstars in Waiting

Halfbacks Billy Parker and Jerald Brown aren’t two names that immediately jump out at you when you look through this year’s Alouette media guide. Although not rookies in the true sense of the word these two first year CFL’ers are quietly making a name for themselves on what is the Canadian Football league’s best defence. Their coaches and teammates have known for months what the rest of the league is quickly finding out, that both Parker and Brown are “legit”. Both players have strengthened a position which last year was this teams Achilles heel and arguably the most physically demanding position in the secondary.

Time to Rebuild in Argoland

It’s been a couple of weeks but now that I have my computer back its time to blog again and what better place to start then in Hogtown. Man would I hate to be a Toronto Argonaut nowadays. Not that I would’ve ever wanted in years gone by. This year’s Argonauts are not only bottom feeders they have what many might call a mutiny in the locker room. Saturday afternoon the Alouettes did what they needed to do. They got a lead and continued to build on it throughout the game. Coming into the game I felt that the Als offence would struggle putting up points on a pretty tough Toronto defence. We knew that once the Alouettes got the lead Toronto’s offence would have trouble coming from behind. This is a team that ranks in the bottom third offensively in most offensive categories in the CFL. They have put their faith in Cody Pickett who last year didn’t win a game after Don Matthews tried to shake things up and give the first year CFL pivot his shot to try and generate some offence. As we have found out Cody Pickett does not seem to be the answer in the Big Smoke.

Injury Bug Exposes Depth at all Positions

At 7-1 and on the eve of a home and home against the 3-5 BC Lions one may be led to think that all is good in Als nest. So far this season the Alouettes have answered most of the challenges that many believed might stand in the way of success at the halfway point of the season. First question that was quickly put to rest was if, last years disappointment of losing another Grey Cup would slow this team down out of the gate. Secondly, the fact that the first 4 of 5 games were against Western teams which last season was a thorn in their side. Both those questions were answered swiftly and with little doubt that neither question in fact had any negative effects on what is clearly the best team in the Canadian Football League.

The Ghosts of Days Gone Bye

Well tonights tilt between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and your Montreal Alouettes doesnt have the same ring that it did in the early part of this decade but it just may be another litmus test. The Blue Bombers are a team in transition with a new head coach and coaching staff without a clear cut number one quarterback. In fact this teams need to find a pivot led them to prying recycled QB Micheal Bishop off the couch.It seemed his time in the CFL was all about done after the Roughriders let him go after the 08 season. Well if all this turmoil leads you to beleive that Montreal should just walk into Canads Inn stadium and put a spanking on the Blue Bombers you might be guilty of putting the cart before the horse.

Just What the Doctor Ordered

It wasnt too long ago that many in the media were suggesting that a perfect season for the Alouettes this year could be a real possibility. Heck and you couldnt blame those with such a notion. After all the Als had just about completed a handleful of games against Western opposition which last year was this teams achilles heal. With wins against the defending Grey Cup Champions in their own back yard and a crushing defeat of the Roughriders in Regina word began to spread that this group may just have what it takes to run the table. With all three phases running on all cylinders only Edmonton stood in the way of completing a perfect 5-0 start to the season. Like many good stories this one too sounded to good to be true. The Eskimos had other ideas and planned to stick a wrench in the spokes of the Als high powered wheels. When it was all said and done after sixty minutes of football we quickly realized how cruel the football gods can be to men with big dreams.

My Fathers CFL

It seemed oh so perfect just ten years ago when I decided to give up on the rigours of the doggy dog world of the NFL that I dreamt about so much as a young kid growing up in Southern Ontario. After spending five years bouncing from one team to another I had had enough of spending sleepless nights wondering if I would have a job tomorrow doing what had come natural to me as a kid. Playing football up until that point wasn't work but rather a game that was full of amazing adventures and challenges. Challenges that made me the man I am today. Heck football was an outlet that provided me with an education and a lifetime of memories. Those memories quickly soured as I made the jump from college All-American to National Football League back-up with long hours and military type protocols that are common place in a NFL thats worth billions of dollars. For those reasons alone I decided to pack up my family and my love of the game for the Canadian Football League and a city I would soon fall in love with. Back then much like Montreal the CFL was old school and I wanted in.