Jun
Brady a quick study on Als sideline
Courtesy Montreal Gazette:
It has been more than 20 years since Marc Trestman, after a stint as quarterbacks coach at the University of Miami, made his NFL debut as the Minnesota Vikings’ running-backs coach.
Trestman, a QB by trade, had never played a down at running back. He understood he required a good opening line at the inaugural position meeting.
“I told them I had never carried the ball in my life,”
Trestman said. “It was a serious conversation. I told them if they weren’t getting something they needed, we’d do it different. We’re all pros. That’s why you need to be transparent. You just have to be honest with yourself and the players.”
Marcus Brady is about to mark the one-week anniversary of the rest of his life. After three seasons as the backup quarterback to Anthony Calvillo, and realizing there probably wouldn’t be much of an opportunity to play again in 2009, Brady accepted management’s offer to become the Alouettes’ receivers coach, replacing Jamie Elizondo, who left for Syracuse University.
“I was presented with an opportunity to coach,” said Brady, who wanted to follow that path after his retirement, but didn’t believe that day would come this soon. “The timing wasn’t on my clock, but it never is. Still, this is an excellent opportunity. I’ve found something I can do for the next 30 years.”
Brady never officially retired, but said he has no intention of returning to the field should Calvillo suffer an injury. And Brady was content signing a one-year contract, figuring it would be beneficial for both parties to determine whether this association can work, or whether he must cut his coaching teeth outside Montreal.
At age 29, Brady’s younger than Ben Cahoon and Kerry Watkins. And, while assistant coaches have the ability to be the good cop to upper management’s bad cop, Brady hasn’t lost sight of the fact his relationship with the players will never be the same. After all, he holds their future in his hands, although he’s not the general manager or involved in player personnel.
“I was straight up with them and told them, as leaders, I needed their help,” Brady said. “These guys have played receiver for so long. There’s not much technique I can teach them. All I have to do is stay on them.”
Although it’s only the opening week of training camp and problems have yet to arise, he has two things working in his favour – the players’ respect and the fact he played quarterback. That means they know Brady understands Trestman’s offence like the back of his hand. And, for the first time in years, the receivers have a coach who can zing the ball to them with authority.
“He brings a different perspective,” Cahoon said. “But the goal is to have all the receivers on the same page as the quarterback. Coach Brady, I think, is deeply qualified to make that happen. We’re comfortable with him, and he has great respect. He has experience in this offence and great knowledge in the game.”
Trestman said it was never mandated to him by management that Brady must be hired. Trestman discussed the scenario with his offensive assistants, especially co-ordinator Scott Milanovich, and the Als’ veteran receivers.
“The more we talked about it, the more I loved it,” Trestman said. “The players respect him. He understands the offence and he’s computer literate. He’s meticulous. He has a passion about it.
“He’ll mold his skills as he goes along. The receivers have to take ownership, but Marcus is asserting himself and getting better each and every practice. He’s solid.”
Brady spent seven seasons in the Canadian Football League, playing for Toronto and Hamilton before signing with the Als as a free agent. His most extensive playing time came in 2005, with the Tiger-Cats, and in ’07, with Montreal, after Calvillo suffered a shoulder injury and then took a leave of absence to be with his cancer-stricken wife. Brady went to two Grey Cups with the Als.
“I’m happy with my career. It brought me to this point,” he said.
“I’m not disappointed with where my career went. I’m just disappointed that I didn’t win a championship. But I enjoyed the seven years. Looking back, obviously I wish I could have played more, but I won’t hang my hat. I played. I’m on film that I can show to my son.
“I made a choice that I’m excited about. And it was the right one.”
