Mike Kelly in Winnipeg has just hired Charlie Carpenter as his offensive line coach.
Charlie Carpenter's last CFL gig was coaching Montreal's offensive line in 2007. Our offensive line that season was a disaster. This past season, with much the same personnel (yes, 2 new tackles, but they were with the Als in 2007, just not starting), our O-line was vastly improved. Kudos to Vince Martino, major kudos.
So, Mr Burke................when we play Winnipeg this coming season, one word.......BLITZ. Then blitz some more.
The Bombers have already lost 3 of their O-line starters from last year, so with a reworked line and Carpenter coaching, make sure you call BLITZ BLITZ BLITZ.
This brings up my pet peeve with last year`s Als, and that is the fact that someone has to show Mr. Burke the part in the Rule Book that says you are permitted to rush more than 4 people.
You have to create some doubt and confusion to an offense. Burke had the defense constantly in a soft zone, and they would be picked apart on second downs.
Hopefully Mr. Trestman with a year under his belt will address this as he did the pass rush and pass protection last year.
BTW : You will be happy to know that Trestman in an interview with LaPresse said the #1 area he wants improved. Is his man to man defense, so we aren't nuts...seems Coach is on the case
I believe the Als defense needs to press the offensive receivers on the line to slow them up as they attempt to run their routes. In addition, I keep wondering what will become of Eric Deslauries in 09. Unless he greatly improves I would opt for a tight end at that spot both to improve the blocking and be used for the short pass.
Worth thinking about. If we're going to use Deslauriers as we did last year (play him practically every down but hardly ever throw to him), it's sort of like playing a man short.
Thing is, that wide-side WR spot is the gulag of the receiving team. It's the further possible point away from the QB and on a wide CFL field, that's a long way. Consequently, Calvillo isn't going to go to Deslauriers very often anyway. I think Sylvain Girard clocked in around 400-500 yards per season at the same position. To me, that WR spot is basically a decoy and a semi-occasional deep threat, but you're never going to get a 1000-yard receiver playing at that position.
