Alouettes running back Whitaker looks to improve after league-leading campaign
Posted Apr 20, 2012 05:06:53 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
MONTREAL – A year ago, Brandon Whitaker was a surprise choice to replace Avon Cobourne as the starting tailback on the Montreal Alouettes, and then went out and led the Canadian Football League in rushing yards.
The stocky running back vows to do even better this season as the Alouettes look to rebound from a disappointing 2011 campaign.
Whitaker, who was in town Friday to do promotional work, said he spent the winter at home in Edmond, Okla., wokring on ways to improve his game.
”Just little things like blocking, and I had a couple of fumbles last year, so working on hanging onto the ball,” he said. ”And just being more versatile. Giving (quarterback Anthony Calvillo) different options. Opening up our playbook a little more so they can use me more. They are all little things you can work on in the off-season.”
Whitaker had seen little action as one of Cobourne’s backups in 2009 and 2010, although he won Grey Cups in each of his first two seasons in Montreal.
But when Cobourne jumped to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as a free agent for the 2011 season, coach Marc Trestman announced the job was Whitaker’s to lose in training camp.
Whitaker responded with an all-star performance in which he led the league in carries with 226, rushing yards with 1,381 and yards from scrimmage with 2,019.
”It feels good to confirm the coach’s decision to name me as the starter,” he said. ”Being behind Avon for a couple of years, I learned a lot.
”I think the coach saw that. It was very satisfying, but the main goal is getting to the Grey Cup. It’s something I’ve been working on this off-season. Finding new ways to confuse the defence to where they just can’t handle me out there.”
While the Alouettes lost a versatile player and a vocal leader when Cobourne left, Whitaker brought more outside speed and surer hands catching balls out of the backfield. He also got the job done blocking in the backfield, which was one of Cobourne’s strengths.
Cobourne once mused about becoming the first CFL player with 1,000 yards in both rushing and receiving in one season, but Whitaker can also take a shot at that feat if all goes well. He had 638 receiving yards last season.
”It’s definitely a tough thing to do, especially with the receiving corps we have,” he said. ”We have all-stars across the board.
”It’s a goal in the back of my head. If it happens, it would be exciting for me individually, but my main goal is getting to the Grey Cup and winning that.”
It was a big season overall for the Montreal offence, which saw Calvillo lead the league and become the CFL’s all-time leader in passing yards and Jamel Richardson finish first among receivers with 112 catches for 1,777 yards.
But injuries, especially on defence where four of the five starters in the backfield as well as middle linebacker Shea Emry went down, and spotty special teams play left the Als with a 10-8 record.
That was good for second in the East Division to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Alouettes were beaten 55-44 in overtime by Hamilton in the East semifinal to end a run of three straight trips to the Grey Cup game.
The 26-year-old Whitaker keeps in touch with Cobourne, who was abruptly let go by Hamilton when the Ticats signed former B.C. Lion Martell Mallett. Another high-profile running back, Joffrey Reynolds, was released by Calgary.
”It’s weird,” said Whitaker. ”The running backs who were starters, the big-name guys, when I first came into the league, are all not playing now.
”It’s crazy how things change. Joffrey Reynolds I’d say is the biggest surprise. I look at the numbers he put up and now he’s not even on the team. It’s just crazy. They say the NFL’s not for long. The CFL’s the same thing.”
Calvillo announced he will return for a 15th season in Montreal and as long as he stays healthy, the Alouettes will still be dangerous on attack. But three long-serving veterans are gone. Receiver Kerry Watkins retired, while defensive linemen Anwar Stewart and Eric Wilson were let go.
The East promises to be tougher this season as well as both Hamilton and Toronto look to have improved, particularly the Argonauts with the acquisition of former Edmonton quarterback Ricky Ray. Whitaker said the Argos will be even better for signing former Montreal offensive co-ordinator Scott Milanovich as head coach.
”He’s a beast,” he said. ”He’s a great coach. They’re lucky to have him over there. The East will be tough, but we’ll be ready. We’ll still be Montreal.”
