The Montreal Alouettes hope that Marcel Bellefeuille will revive their once-powerful running game.
The Alouettes named Bellefeuille offensive co-ordinator on Wednesday, looking to improve a running game that has been almost an afterthought since the heyday of former tailback Mike Pringle from 1996 to 2001.
Bellefeuille directed the CFL's best ground attack in his three years as offensive co-ordinator of the Saskatchewan Roughriders from 2003 to 2005. He joined Montreal this season as running backs and receivers coach.
Coach and general manager Jim Popp said his team won't abandon the pass, but he wants a more balanced offence.
``I see some blocking schemes changing up front and more of a downhill running game being emphasized,'' said Popp. ``We've done well running the ball over the last five years. but it wasn't as much of a focus.
``We have to take the pressure off our quarterback and our offensive line when we're running the ball.''
Bellefeuille replaced Kevin Strasser, whose contract was not renewed. Steve Mcadoo, whose title was co-offensive co-ordinator (running game), remains on the staff, but Popp said Bellefeuille will call the shots on offence.
Montreal's ground game was sixth in the eight-team league last season with 1,760 net yards and the club was third-best through the air with 4,866 yards.
Bellefeuille, 40, of Ottawa, won a Vanier Cup as head coach of the University of Ottawa Gee Gees in 2000. He joined Saskatchewan as offensive line coach in 2001.
After his promotion to offensive co-ordinator in Regina, his team rushed for more than 7,000 yards over three seasons.
``I like to see an offence that scores points, whatever it takes _ running the football or passing or having a balance,'' said Bellefeuille. ``I like to see multiple formations and multiple personnel groups and for us to be able to do both (running and passing) effectively when needed.''
Don Matthews' arrival as head coach in 2002 signalled the end of the rush-oriented attack that was the Alouettes' bread and butter with Pringle in the backfield. Matthews resigned for health reasons in October and Popp took over head coaching duties.
Matthews liked to pass the ball, limiting the run to 15 to 18 plays per game. That helped quarterback Anthony Calvillo's passing statistics to soar _ including four straight 5,000-yard seasons from 2002 to 2005.
The offence struggled this season, although Calvillo passed for 4,714 yards and running back Robert Edwards picked up 1,155 yards on the ground, third best in the CFL.
``We got to a point where teams just decided they would pin their ears back and come at us because they didn't worry about the run,'' said Popp.
``They didn't worry about draws, screens, or flare passes to the backs because we had a system where the running backs stayed in and blocked and were never a threat to do those other things. If we change that, it will take a lot of heat off our offensive line and our quarterback.''
The change should be a boost to Edwards, the former NFL tailback who has a year left on his contract with Montreal.
Calvillo, who called his own plays under Matthews, will continue that duty most of the time, but Popp said Bellefeuille would send in plays in ``some circumstances where (Calvillo) needs help.''
