Courtesy Montreal Gazette:

Let’s face it: We’re used to fast starts from Alouettes teams. It’s their finishing touch, or lack of, that ultimately comes back to haunt them ­ one of the reasons why they have only one championship to show for their efforts this decade.

It would be easy to say the Als’ 2-0 start isn’t a surprise. They did, after all, win their opening two games last season as well under rookie head coach Marc Trestman. But this year’s club is 2-0 against West Division opponents, including an opening-game victory at Calgary. And we all know the Als were only 3-5 against the west a year ago.

Montreal has produced a staggering 90 points through two games while allowing a relatively-modest 43. The defence has allowed only three touchdowns, with another coming against the special teams unit. And, in subsequent weeks, they’ve been relatively successful against Henry Burris and Ricky Ray, two of the league’s best quarterbacks.

“When I got to the locker, the first guy I congratulated was (defensive co-ordinator) Tim Burke,” Trestman said following Thursday night’s 50-16 carnage exacted against the Edmonton Eskimos, who failed to penetrate the goal-line until the game’s final 68 seconds.

“Collectively on defence we swarmed and were physical,” Trestman added. “We played hard and fast. It was a great effort. You’ve seen what Edmonton’s offence can do when Ray completes his throwing motion.”

The Eskimos had scoring chances, but too often came away with short Noel Prefontaine field goals. Indeed, two impressive drives of 77 and 93 yards ended with Prefontaine chipshots.

Running back Arkee Whitlock, playing his first Canadian Football League game for the injured Jesse Lumsden, was simply brutal. Not only was he held to 29 yards on 12 carries, he dropped two potential touchdown passes in the end zone and also lost a fumble.

Nonetheless, Edmonton head coach Richie Hall vowed he stands behind Whitlock, despite the futile effort.

“He had an opportunity to make some plays and things just didn’t work out for him,” Hall said. “But there were some good things he did out there. You don’t give up on a person after one game, just like you don’t give up on a team after one game.”

The Als have been resilient defensively over the years, seemingly tightening up near the end zone. Veteran rush end Anwar Stewart maintains that philosophy hasn’t changed in 2009.

“We tighten up and don’t think teams should get there,” he said. “We have a p—ed off attitude. We tighten up and take responsibility.

“We have a really strong defence and a coaching staff that cares,” Stewart added. “The guys bitch because of the long hours we put in, but we put our hard hats on. We’ve got the team to do it. We have a chance to be the best defence in the league.”

Offensively, the Als are clicking and appear to be more diversified. Avon Cobourne rushed for more than 100 yards against Calgary, while against Edmonton, receivers Kerry Watkins and S.J. Green both produced 100-yard games.

“We’re definitely a dangerous offence,” Watkins said. “We have a lot of weapons and power. And we’re well balanced … along the ground, through the air … whatever. It won’t be long before we click and play a full game.”

Green, who has waited patiently for two seasons behind some talented receivers, replaced the injured Jamel Richardson against Edmonton and looked like a seasoned pro, catching five passes for 113 yards, including a 48 yarder. He and Watkins both scored touchdowns.

“He had a tough guy to fill in for,” Trestman said. “He did a good job offensively and on special teams. But we’ve known that all along. We’ve known S.J.’s a good player and should be part of the team.”

Notes – It’s believed the Als have signed J.P. Bekasiak, who can play on either the offensive or defensive lines. He was on the team’s sideline during Thursday’s game. The 6-foot-6, 299-pound non-import was Hamilton’s first-round (fourth overall) draft choice in 2007. He played in 17 games on the defensive line for the Tiger-Cats last season. … Coincidentally, Jeff Robertshaw, a backup DL with Montreal, appears to have a somewhat serious shoulder injury. He had an icebag applied to his left shoulder in the dressing room.

Read more….