Jul
Montreal: The key to the kick
Courtesy Montreal Gazette:
It’s not often Scott Squires takes his eyes off the play. But he figured Damon Duval was money in the bank, so the Alouettes’ special teams co-ordinator didn’t watch his kicker’s first two field goal attempts last week, against Edmonton.
Duval, who was perfect the week before at Calgary, making all six of his kicks and being named the Canadian Football League’s special teams player of the week, missed wide left from 37 and 40 yards against the Eskimos however. Both plays accounted for single points and weren’t a factor in the Als’ lopsided victory.
“I wasn’t watching him on the first one,” Squires revealed. “I figured there were no worries. Even the next one, I thought we were good. I just caught the tail end of it and told him he was fighting himself. That’s my word for when he comes across his body. I told him to loosen up.”
Duval, who has spent his entire five-year career with the Als, eventually settled down, connecting on a pair of short field goals, from 11 and 24 yards. And his punting was superb, especially in the second half, when he angled some kicks and kept Edmonton deep in its territory. Duval punted five times, averaging 43.4 yards.
Still, it was a bitter pill for Duval to swallow. The previous week, he told The Gazette he shouldn’t miss any field goal from 40 yards or closer.
“The first two balls weren’t so great and didn’t go through the uprights. But it’s going to happen,” he said, shrugging. “No one has ever been 100 per cent. We’re all going to have our ups and downs. A kicker has to understand it’s a new week. The first week I went 6-for-6. Every week’s new and every kick’s new.”
Duval will bounce back. He has played too long not to. But he’s the first one to admit a kicker’s life is mostly mental, since his physical chores aren’t onerous. And there would be no better week for that to occur than this one, with the Als preparing for a game at Saskatchewan Saturday afternoon. Montreal and the Roughriders are the two last remaining undefeated teams, both with 2-0 records.
Duval’s motion on his first two attempts was too fast, he explained, and his left foot – the one he uses to plant – was extended too far. Like a golf swing, that resulted in a pair of misses, both identical.
“At least he was consistent and went left,” Squired quipped. “You’re treating muscle memory in the human mind. If someone knew how they were going to react, they could make a lot of money. There are so many things that come through onto the table. You’re dealing with people who are dads. There could be something wrong at home. They’re pro athletes, but they’re also human beings. There are always other things going on and you try to block that stuff out.”
Duval has been in the league long enough to know conditions can be sporadic at Regina’s Mosaic Stadium. Generally, it’s always windy and weather conditions can change abruptly. Duval, who already has checked the long-term forecast, said he’ll come onto the field 2 1/2 hours prior to the opening kickoff to begin his warm-up.
“Knock on wood, I’ve played well in the wind there,” he said. “If you’re kicking into a 50 miles per hour wind, it’ll affect your range and you don’t want any high balls. I’m already working on line drives … dropping the ball lower to get through the wind.”
Notes – Larry Taylor, who returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown against Edmonton, was named the CFL’s special teams player of the week. … Defensive-tackle J.P. Bekasiak and receiver/returner Chad Owens have been signed and added to the practice roster. Defensive-back Gemara Williams, who was on the PR, has been released. … DT Jeff Robertshaw and linebacker John Mohring have both suffered shoulder injuries and will miss a minimum six weeks each. Surgery could be involved for one or both. … Stu Laird, president of the league’s players’ association, visited with Montreal players. … Injured slotback Jamel Richardson (shoulder) got some limited work in. … Guard Scott Flory and LB Diamond Ferri both were home with stomach ailments.
