Missed opportunities, performances below expectations, too many penalties … This is what emerged from the analysis of the game lost Sunday by the Montreal Alouettes to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, in half. eastern final. But that’s an analysis that could be done for the entire 2021 season.
Sunday, in a 23-12 loss, the Alouettes were unable to establish their ground game, the offensive line had a very difficult game, especially on the side of David Foucault, the left guard, and the Special teams got into all kinds of trouble, including allowing several free yards for breaching immunity.
“I think we’ve struggled all season with special teams,” said veteran right guard Kristian Matte. Everything we did wrong this season, we did it wrong [dimanche]. It is certain that the special teams, it is not easy: I am lucky not to run on clearances and returns of kicks; I wouldn’t want the job. They did the best they could, but unfortunately the penalties certainly don’t help us. It is difficult to always start in the back of our zone. These are things to be corrected. “
In all, the Alouettes received 14 penalties for 115 yards. Those 115 yards are just as many extra yards to go on offense or yards given on opposing offense, a problem that has undermined the 2021 season of the Montreal football club.
“It’s a bit of a synthesis of our season. Penalties have hurt us all year and they have done it again [dimanche], admitted head coach Khari Jones after the meeting. Turnovers have been a problem at one point this season and they came back to haunt us in this game. But I still like the fighting spirit that our team has shown. She just didn’t get enough games. “
“It’s a game like our season: ups and downs,” added Matte. We started well: the first push, we elapsed six or seven minutes on the dial. At the same time, we only had three points. Getting just three points on such a streak hurts. Especially at the end of the season, when the scores are tight, we need seven points. In the second quarter, it was not good. In the third quarter it was better, but they made more games than us. “
The Alouettes suffered five turnovers in the game, three of which led directly to 13 points for the Tiger-Cats. The first of those turnovers, a Trevor Harris fumble with a sack, turned the game upside down.
“It’s kind of frustrating to see that you’re moving the ball well, doing good things on offense and defense and at least finding yourself at a distance for a field goal when the game completely changes sides,” Jones said. .
Disappointing season
One thing is certain, at the start of the season, no one in the organization believed to end the campaign with a deficit of 7-8 which includes the playoff game. This is a big disappointment for everyone. On paper, the 2021 Alouettes roster had the elements to be more successful.
“Not just on paper: we had the team [pour aller loin], said linebacker Patrick Levels. We haven’t done enough [dimanche]. “
“I was thinking of missed opportunities,” said quarterback Trevor Harris on what crossed his mind in the last moments of this duel. You often dwell on what went wrong in those moments. We’ve been conditioned to this since we were kids: you get an exam with a 95% mark and you see what you could have done better. It’s the same in football. This is what the competitors do: they want to fill in their gaps. Unfortunately, we ended up on the wrong side during important moments. It’s a shame for this organization. “
It’s pretty frustrating to see that you’re moving the ball well, doing good things on offense and defense, and at least finding yourself at a distance for a placement when the game completely changes sides.
The Alouettes will lend themselves to their end-of-season record later this week. Again, several questions will be outstanding. But Jones isn’t afraid to pay for the season below expectations.
“I am never worried about my future. I have a contract for the next season and I plan to be here. “
But he knows that this is the end of a chapter, that the group he will have on hand next year will be different. “It’s heartbreaking. […] I told them how honored it has been to lead them this season. I told them that I was sorry that I could not help them further achieve our goals. We knew when we started the game that only one team would be happy after the game. It’s hard not to be this team. “