Jun
Montreal: Drew wants to regain his roster spot
Courtesy Montreal Gazette:
It seemed like an innocent play at the time. Randee Drew’s cleats got stuck in the turf at the Rogers Centre last June on a punt return in the third quarter against Toronto.
It was obvious the injury was serious; Drew leaving the stadium on crutches, a fiberglass cast on his left leg from just above the knee to the ankle. Season-ending surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament was performed in early September.
Today, 10 months later, Drew’s athletic life only now is beginning to return to normal. The Alouettes defensive back resumed practising on Saturday, after missing all of training camp. The organization has the next couple of weeks to determine his status and decide on his fate.
“I never thought it would take this long,” he said after the team worked out indoors for a second consecutive day at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard.
“But it was one of those things that was tricky. It was a difficult surgery on the ACL. Plus there was a microfracture (cartilage tearing from the bone). I’ve been fighting an uphill battle. I’m almost to the top, and I’ll keep pushing.”
Drew was a starter in the secondary for 26 consecutive games through two seasons, and the argument could be made, before his injury, he was Montreal’s best defensive back.
He was an East Division all-star in 2007, the team’s nominee as outstanding rookie and its top defensive player after intercepting four passes and recovering a fumble.
But you never know how a player’s going to react to and recover from knee surgery. He can continue running forward and backward, but what about his lateral movement? Drew claimed his knee’s actually stronger.
“People get frustrated,” admitted the 27-year-old. “I had my peaks and valleys. I’m sore and my legs are heavy, but it’s only my second day in the last 10 months. I’ve made huge strides and am progressing each day.”
The landscape has changed dramatically in Drew’s absence. That’s the painful reality of pro sports, where life goes on. He was eventually replaced in the secondary by Khalil Carter, who subsequently wasn’t invited back.
When the Als launch their regular-season, Wednesday at Calgary, Drew will be replaced by Canadian Football League rookie Jerald Brown. CFL veteran Stanford Samuels, a free-agent addition from Winnipeg, also potentially is waiting in the wings but begins the year on the injured list.
When Don Matthews was coaching this team, he claimed a starter never would lose his job through injury. It’s a philosophy others in the business have adopted as well, but each coach is different.
Montreal’s Marc Trestman was loath to be pinned down on the subject.
“It’s all relative to the person. We take it on a player-by-player basis and don’t make it all encompassing,” Trestman explained. “You take a decision that’s best for the team. Or is the guy playing his best at that time? I’ll base it on what I’ve seen. It’s too early to tell. I hope in the next 10 days the picture will become clearer.”
Drew predictably said, out of fairness, he should be allowed to regain his spot. And presumably, through practice, that privilege will be extended.
“But I also understand it’s a business,” said the 5-foot-9, 190 pounder.
“If another’s playing well, sometimes that’s the best solution. That’s how guys make their names. But when healthy, I’m a good player and can contribute.”
If Drew’s playing for his professional life and future, so be it. That’s the nature of the beast, he shrugged. Everyday at practice, he said, a player’s job is potentially on the line. The great ones understand this and have lengthy careers, he mentioned.
“This is a profession where you’ve got to stay on your toes,” he said. “You’ve got to have that mentality.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge. You will see me back on the field.”
Brown, one of two CFL rookies starting in the secondary, understands he can’t be consumed by anything Drew might or might not accomplish. Brown must put on his blinders and continue staring straight ahead.
“I had to make a first impression early. This is a predominantly veteran league,” said the 5-foot-11, 185 pounder, who spent four seasons playing indoors in the Arena league. “You have to make an impression, showcase your attributes and jell with the team.
“The difference-maker in my case is I’ve got experience playing pro, being a grown man. It’s my maturity level and understanding the situation.”
Note – Veteran cornerback Davis Sanchez will donate $500 for each interception this season to the Tony Proudfoot Fund and is seeking sponsors willing to match his pledge. FieldTurf is the first to come through. Not only will it match Sanchez, the company also will donate $500 for every quarterback sack by Shea Emry and interception by Paul Woldu. Proudfoot, a former Als defensive back, is suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, an often fatal neuromuscular disease. Proudfoot served as a guest coach at training camp the last two years.
