Quebecer Christophe Normand is about to begin a third season with the Montreal Alouettes and despite his efficiency on the field as a fullback, his role remains unobtrusive.
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The athlete from Marieville, who previously played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Edmonton Eskimos, is not too offended.
“A lot of times, those who play offense in football want the ball, apart from the linemen, he explained, Saturday evening, after the preseason game lost 25 to 23 against the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton. But for me, it’s not necessarily my strength. Blocking to pass the ball carrier or protecting the quarterback, that’s my pride and I love my role. It’s in my personality off the field too, I don’t need to gain 1,000 yards and have the spotlight on me.”
“Inside the team, we already know how important Christophe is and perhaps the time has come for everyone to know it,” said head coach Khari Jones, visibly delighted with to be asked about Normand. In 2021 he was fantastic and that’s why we continue to trust him. He does the dirty work and all the little things to allow the attack to unfold.
“The best in the league”
Jones, who had a stellar career as a quarterback in the Canadian Football League, is bound to appreciate this type of player.
“Sometimes there are things that you don’t necessarily see, like the simple fact of being in the right place on the field to block,” added the head coach. There is also his work on special teams, he is a player you need to make all the elements of a team stick together.
“Christophe is my man, he’s the best in the league [à sa position]he is absolutely incredible,” said André Bolduc, Jones’ assistant and head of the running backs unit.
A mean side
Of a rather calm nature, Normand, 30, believes that he changes slightly when entering a football field.
“I’m able to have fun in training, but when a game comes, there’s like a switch and it’s the bad side that comes out, he imagined. I am quite calm, but the opponents with whom I have had confrontations know that I do not let myself be pushed around.
In fact, it was linebacker Simoni Lawrence who found out the hard way during Saturday’s game against the Tiger-Cats. We saw Normand and him exchange sweet words after an attacking streak for the Alouettes.
“He’s possibly the most hated player in the league, he’s a bastard player, qualified the Quebecer, about the number 21 of the Tiger-Cats. I was blocking and he tackled aiming for my knees. I hate that. Me, I play physical and I hit, but I stay within the rules.
Recognized by its peers
Once again, the Alouettes players appreciated that Normand got up to bring an opponent to order.
“Essentially, in any job, the best recognition you can have is that of your peers,” summarized number 38 of the Alouettes.
“The goal is to keep all quarterbacks healthy, regardless of the game,” Normand finally noted, regarding his protective role during the preseason schedule, spontaneously sharing the credit with the players on the offensive line.
Like the centre-back, the “big guys” on the offensive line too often remain in the shadows.
– In addition to betting on Christophe Normand, the Alouettes are counting on another Quebec centre-back, Alexandre Gagné. Last year, Gagne was used to replace the injured Pierre-Luc Caron as the long snap specialist. However, Caron is back while Gagné, 30, represents a luxury auxiliary alongside Normand.