Courtesy Montreal Gazette:

Avon Cobourne has been the epitome of patience and perseverance for the Alouettes this season. He has played linebacker, although he’s only 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, and has worked diligently on special teams.
Anything, in short, to be part of the team. And tonight, he’ll

finally be rewarded. Cobourne will start at running back, his natural position, against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8 p.m., TSN, RDS, CJAD Radio-800) because of a rib injury to Jarrett Payton.

“I feel I should be playing running back, but they kept bringing guys in to try out for the position. I kept getting looked over, while they were telling me to wait. I certainly learned perseverance, constantly moving from running back to linebacker. It has been a tough adjustment,” Cobourne said.

“Nothing’s ever come easy to me, and I didn’t expect this to. But now I’ve ended up where I should be.”

Cobourne left West Virginia as that university’s all-time rushing leader, gaining more than 5,100 yards while scoring 42 touchdowns. He came to the Als last season after stints in the NFL with Detroit and Miami. But Robert Edwards was firmly entrenched in Montreal’s backfield, so Cobourne made his mark on special teams. With a 95-yarder, he had the CFL’s longest field-goal return.

But Cobourne was stunned when he reported to training camp this year, was handed a red jersey - given to defensive players - and told he would practise at linebacker. Not only were there physical limitations, but he hadn’t played the position.

“I picked it up well. But then (reality) set in and I realized I’m not a linebacker. It wasn’t what I wanted to do. I had to think what was more important - the cheque or my pride? I need the money, so I did it for my family,” he said.

Als general manager/head coach Jim Popp said from the outset it wasn’t the ideal situation, but wanted to find a way - any way - to include Cobourne on his 42-man roster. By being able to play more than one position, Cobourne enhanced his chances.

“He has done what was asked and has been patient. He has been presented with different scenarios, and he’s survived. He made the team as a special-teamer and we’ve tried every which way to keep him,” Popp said this week.

“He’s an outstanding running-back, with good vision and cutting ability. He gets a lot of yards because he’s quick and shifty.”

Cobourne has done a little of this and a little of that this season, even making a tackle while playing linebacker against Hamilton. He has 12 special-teams tackles and 13 hits. He has returned 10 kickoffs for 210 yards and 11 punts for 70 yards. He has six receptions for 67 yards and has gained

115 yards on 22 carries. Against Calgary last week, he provided an effective changeup to Payton’s power, gaining 48 yards on six

carries, including an eight-yard run for a touchdown, his first this season.

But the Stampeders are easier to run against than the Blue Bombers. And Cobourne won’t have the luxury of Payton giving him a rest. Cobourne got one start in the backfield last season, and the results were hardly flattering. He was held to 16 yards on five carries against Edmonton.

“I appreciate the fact they’ve kept me around. They’ll see my work ethic, drive and passion for the game. I’ll bring a spark,” Cobourne said.

“This is the right opportunity. The team we’re playing won’t lay down. If I play well, I’ll prove something to myself.”

The Bombers (9-7-1) can still finish first in the East Division, while the Als want to win to even their record at 9-9. Plus, the possibility exists of Montreal returning here next weekend for the division semifinal.

“We came here to win. We’re trying to fine-tune and play our best heading to the playoffs. You want to feel good heading to the playoffs,” Popp said.