Herb Zurkowsky
The Montreal Gazette

MONTREAL -- When Tim Burke arrived in Calgary as an assistant coach several years ago, he remembers the Stampeders had Mark Estelle rated as one of the top two cornerbacks in the Canadian Football League.

Burke can't remember who Estelle shared the distinction with, but now that he's in Montreal, Burke's happy to have Estelle on his side.

"I think a lot of coaches through the league would rank Mark as one of the best corners," the Alouettes' defensive co-ordinator said. "He's good at man coverage and has shown he can come up and hit you."

In his third full season with the Als, Estelle displayed some of his capabilities last August, when he made a game-saving tackle near the goal line against British Columbia running-back Stefan Logan. The Lions were stopped three times on third and goal in the game's final minute.

Further evidence of Estelle's potential came about last Thursday against Hamilton. Although only 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, Estelle did a thorough job of containing Tiger-Cats' wide-receiver Prechae Rodriguez. Although Rodriguez is 6-foot-5 and 208 pounds, the damage he inflicted against Estelle and the Als was minimal. He caught three passes for 71 yards, including a contested 38-yarder early in the second quarter.

There was confusion on the play. Rodriguez was ruled out of bounds and it appeared the play was incomplete. But another official ruled it a completion, claiming Estelle forced the receiver out of bounds. Head coach Marc Trestman challenged a play that couldn't be challenged and the Als were penalized. Although the Ticats scrimmaged from the Montreal 7, they settled for a field goal.

Hamilton quarterback Quinton Porter repeatedly tried to take advantage of Rodriguez's edge in size over Estelle. "From the start, I knew that would be the battle," said Estelle, who plays the weak-side, meaning he's frequently tested. "If I was the coach, I'd be throwing up jump balls because I'm at a disadvantage. They did it to the best of their ability, but I feel I (came) out ahead."

At his size, the battle is one Estelle faces throughout the season, going against bigger receivers. He attempts to play physical, disrupting the receiver's timing. Estelle also has become a student of the game, studying the league's receivers.

"He's able to make plays others can't," Burke said. "Mark works his technique hard and he'll change his technique. One time, he's physical. Another time, he outruns a receiver. He also does a good job of playing the receiver's hands, knowing he can't go up and take the ball away."

Estelle made three tackles against Hamilton while knocking down a pass. He already has recovered a pair of fumbles and saved a touchdown in the opening game at Calgary, intercepting a pass in the end zone.

"I feel like I'm one of the best corners in the league and we have one of the best secondaries in the league," he said.

Estelle joined the Als late in the 2006 season, after attending training camp with the NFL's Houston Texans. He started the East Division championship and the Grey Cup. Estelle, who turns 28 tomorrow, figures he's destined to spend his career in the CFL. His agent had discussions last winter with the Cleveland Browns, but nothing materialized and Estelle re-signed with Montreal.

"I feel I'm an NFL cornerback," said Estelle, who also attended camp with Baltimore in 2005. "Most (CFL) boundary corners have that NFL prototype, and I feel I'm skilled enough to be in front of some of them. Those teams made bad decisions. I'm here and I'll make the best of it in the CFL."

Courtesy: www.montrealgazette.com