Jul
Montreal: Stewart gets better with age
Courtesy Montreal Gazette:
Diamond Ferri says Anwar Stewart is like fine wine – he keeps improving with age.
“He’s slim, muscular and is leading the guys,” Ferri said. “He doesn’t let guys take stupid penalties. He’s like a big brother.”
Stewart, the veteran rush end, has evolved into the Alouettes’ leader on defence in his eighth season with the team and ninth in the Canadian Football League. Several times each season, Stewart makes a great individual play. Last Saturday, against Saskatchewan, he tipped and intercepted a Darian Durant pass in the fourth quarter, leading to a Damon Duval field goal.
That Stewart is accomplishing this five months after he turned 33 makes it all the more impressive.
“We have several leaders on defence, but he would definitely be the first,” defensive co-ordinator Tim Burke admitted. “He’s definitely a guy people look to. He has this great mix of playing well, work habits and a sense of humour. He keeps the players light-hearted. That’s a good mix.
“He has experience and tremendous football awareness that a lot of players don’t get their entire careers. I think one of the reasons he’s still playing at a high level is he understands the game well and makes split-second decisions. I’ll bet for him the game slows down.”
The 6-foot-2, 251-pound Stewart had one of the best games of his career the previous week, against Edmonton. On that night, he forced a fumble, had a quarterback sack, another hit for a loss and knocked down a pass. He also registered three tackles. Stewart also plays on special teams.
The Florida native, who makes Montreal his year-round home, finally seems to be getting the credit he deserves after overcoming bouts of adversity earlier in his career. It shouldn’t be forgotten the Calgary Stampeders released Stewart at the beginning of his career – not once, but twice.
He quickly resurfaced in Montreal, but seemed to be in and out of former head coach Don Matthews’s doghouse. Matthews, it seemed, was never content with Stewart’s production, always wanting more while overlooking the fact he also played on special teams and, on occasion, lined up as a tight end on offence.
One season in particular Stewart was on the precipice of being released but played well at British Columbia, likely saving his job. A CFL all-star in 2004, Stewart was named the league’s top defensive player that same year.
“Honestly, it’s about determination,” Stewart said. “I’ve told you before how I come in to training camp and take nothing for granted. As an older guy, I’ve got to push myself. I’ve got to come out and make plays. I take this job seriously.”
Stewart this season might have arrived at camp in the best condition of his career. Not only did the organization put its Montreal-based players on a program that began in February – two months earlier than usual –Stewart also did yoga, stretching and resistance training over the winter, working closely with fellow rush-end John Bowman.
With several new players on defence, and given his experience, Stewart knows others will be looking to him for guidance and leadership. And he’s willing to take on that responsibility. He said he talks regularly with defensive-line coach Mike Sinclair, who played 12 NFL seasons, the majority with Seattle.
“My job’s to get the other 41 players on this team, and the 11 on defence, to realize the opportunity for a championship doesn’t come around very often,” Stewart explained. “The organization kept the nucleus of players. There’s a lot of pressure and determination on us. I want to experience another Grey Cup.
“We need a leader. You have a tendency over a long season to lose focus. A lot of the guys look to me – not just about ball but to discuss their home life. I give them good advice and direct them.”
The improved play of the Als’ defence is one of the reasons the team has forged to a 3-0 record. Stewart said the players have matured in their second season under Burke, but more individuals are also making plays in 2009. Playing more man defence has worked, too. Teams are giving up the ball more frequently, which has led to the Als having a huge advantage in time of possession most games.
“Tim and I talked about taking the defence to another level,” head coach Marc Trestman said. “That means playing man. Playing man on this big field is critically important.”
