They are no longer the blitz-happy crew of recent years but the Alouettes defensive line remains one of Montreal's sources of strength heading into the Grey Cup game.
Anchored by nasty 36-year-old tackle Ed Philion, the line will face its toughest test of the season when the Alouettes meet the high-powered B.C. Lions' attack in the CFL championship game at Canad Inns Stadium on Sunday (CBC, 6 p.m. ET).
The constant blitzing by the line, the linebackers and even some defensive backs was abandoned midway through last season when opposing teams finally found ways to solve it.
What remains from the blitz era is the six-man rotation among the front four that keeps all of them ready to play aggressive football late in the game.
Philion, Adriano Belli and Dario Romero share the two tackle positions, while Anwar Stewart, R-Kal Truluck and Alain Kashama play the two rush end spots.
``We have three guys (at tackle) we're not afraid to use and there's no drop off,'' said Philion. ``I have no problem taking time off for another guy to play.''
Defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones calls it a committee. The Alouettes have used it since 2002, when former head coach Don Matthews brought all-out blitzing defence to Montreal.
Matthews resigned with four games left in this season due to what the team said was health concerns and general manager Jim Popp took over as head coach, but approach didn't change.
``The philosophy is we rotate guys in and out and play the best four guys at the end of the game, when the game's on the line and they're fresh,'' said Jones. ``But it is by committee.
``There's no one big star like some teams have. Certainly we have guys who are stellar contributors and have been quite some time, but it's a committee.''
Philion is star material, having been named to his fourth consecutive East all-star team this year. And Stewart was the CFL's outstanding defensive player in 2004. Kashama, a huge but quick-footed Montreal native who went to a Super Bowl with Seattle last year, is considered a potential all-star of the future.
This week, it is B.C.'s formidable front four, with Chris Wilson, outstanding rookie candidate Aaron Hunt and all-stars Brett Johnson and Tyrone Williams, that has drawn most of the media attention.
But the play of Montreal's line could be crucial against the Lions' league-best offence.
First, it has to stop explosive running back Joe Smith. Then it has to get pressure on quarterback Dave Dickenson to prevent Geroy Simon and the rest of an outstanding receiving corps from running up the score.
``It's the toughest challenge we'll see,'' said Jones. ``They've got so many weapons.
``Their offensive line is a lot more solid than last year and they added a big, strong running back this year. They probably have the most well-rounded receiving group in the league and that's not to mention their three quarterbacks (Dickenson, Buck Pierce and Jarious Jackson), all of whom have won games for them.''
A year ago, the Alouettes defence was a question mark going into the Grey Cup game, but after struggling to find an identity all season, it held up fine in an overtime loss to the Edmonton Eskimos.
Jones called it ``growing pains'' while the defence transformed from blitz to a mixed approach. And there were major personnel changes. Romero and Kashama are new, while Truluck and Belli have returned after playing for other teams.
``Last year, we had some people who didn't want to be here,'' said Philion. ``We had other issues, too, but I thought we played well.
``We were up and down, but then we found ourselves in the Grey Cup game. But this year, our tackles are as good as any in the league. We've all been starters in this league. And Stewy continues his magic on the outside. He's a perennial all-star.''
Jones said the team also has depth in tackles Jerome Heywood and ends D.D. Achelonu and John Bowman, all of whom risk being left off the Grey Cup roster.
``It's a great stage with two really good teams,'' added Jones. ``And I like where we are.
``We're jelling at the right time. Some people don't believe that, but the last few weeks we've come together more and more and hopefully, it's at the right time.''
