Defensive chief knows how to win in Montreal

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This article was published 16/06/2011 (5585 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MONTREAL — They will play just their first pre-season game here tonight, but already there appears to be a consensus among CFL-watchers that the path to an East Division title and a berth in the 2011 Grey Cup will once again travel through the Montreal Alouettes.

But the good news for supporters of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is that for the first time in a long time, the Bombers actually have someone on staff who knows how to win here at Percival Molson Stadium on a field that has been carpeted in recent years with the broken dreams of the Bombers and their fans.

Newly installed Bombers defensive co-ordinator Tim Burke made his return to Montreal Wednesday afternoon in advance of tonight’s pre-season game between the Bombers and Als, putting his new defence through a walk-through on the same field that he helped transform the Als’ defence into a championship juggernaut.

In just three seasons as the Als’ defensive co-ordinator, Burke did nothing less than guide the Montreal defence to the Grey Cup all three times, winning the last two.

But Burke will be standing on the Bombers’ sideline tonight (TSN, 6:30 p.m.) when the Bombers and the Als hook up in the first pre-season game for both clubs.

You’d think it might be an emotional moment, but Burke appears to have little patience for sentimentality, saying Wednesday he’s just glad his return to Montreal is happening in the pre-season when not many are paying attention.

“I’m not putting a whole lot into it,” said Burke. “I’m just glad we’re playing early in the year so that when it does count, I don’t have to go through the whole process of talking to everybody. I’m glad it’s over with.”

The Alouettes have been very good for a very long time now — Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice pointed out Wednesday the Als have finished first in the East in eight of the last 11 years — and the obvious question for Burke Wednesday was what makes Montreal so consistent?

Burke identified two keys to the Als’ remarkable success. First, there’s a well-heeled owner in Robert Wetenhall who is “generous with his money — we never wanted for much — but who doesn’t meddle in everyone’s business.”

And second is Als general manager Jim Popp, who has demonstrated a remarkable eye for talent — import and non-import — and also benefits, Burke says, from a player personnel department that is more than twice the size of the one the Bombers have.

“He has a lot of guys helping him,” says Burke, “and that makes a big difference. No question.”

There will be plenty of questions in need of answers heading into tonight. Topping the list for the Bombers, of course, will be the critical battle between Joey Elliott and Alex Brink to see who will play the role of backup this season to injury-plagued Bombers starter Buck Pierce.

Burke will also have his eye on some rookies auditioning in the secondary and defensive line.

For the Als, on the other hand, tonight will represent live auditions to see who will fill the holes created by two key off-season departures in starting tailback Avon Cobourne — who bolted to Hamilton for more money — and slotback Ben Cahoon — Anthony Calvillo’s favourite target, who retired.

But perhaps the biggest question of all is whether these same two teams will hook up again in November in the East final, either here or — dare to dream — in a final swan song at Canad Inns Stadium?

For Winnipeg, much will of course depend on the health of Pierce, but Burke will also play a large role in whether the Bombers can challenge for the division.

While Burke last winter traded a job in Montreal with one of the great championship juggernauts in CFL history for a sad-sack bunch in Winnipeg who limped through a 4-14 season in 2010, it bears reminding that Burke actually inherits a pretty good Bombers defence that ranked first last season against the pass and second in total yards surrendered.

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“I think we have the makings of a very good defence,” said Burke.

Burke said he intends to turn up the volume dramatically this summer by taking the nucleus he inherited and turning it into an in-your-face swarm that will attack right from the line of scrimmage.

“You’re going to see a lot more man coverage and a lot more blitzing. We are going to put a lot more pressure on the offence,” he says. “We are going to attack more than react.”

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca