Herb Zurkowsky
The Montreal Gazette

EDMONTON -- It was only one offensive play in a season of perhaps slightly more than 1,000. But it demonstrated the grit and determination of Brian Bratton - a receiver who often flies under the radar with the Montreal Alouettes.

In the second quarter of last week's game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Bratton caught a short swing pass from quarterback Anthony Calvillo at about the Ticats' 10-yard line. He could have gone down. Instead, he continued fighting, broke a tackle and scored his first touchdown of the season, giving Montreal a 14-6 lead.

``I think that one play talked a lot about me,'' Bratton said. ``It spoke of the relentless effort to be the best I can be. I won't stop and will continue fighting. Have that edge to do the best to be me.''

Through four games this season, Bratton has caught 16 passes for 180 yards - totals he'll undoubtedly build on Thursday, when the Als put their four-game undefeated streak on the line against the Edmonton Eskimos at Commonwealth Stadium.

But on a team filled with talent at the position, Bratton isn't the first receiver people think of - or even Calvillo looks to. And the three-year veteran understands that.

Ben Cahoon is a legend in Montreal, Kerry Watkins repeatedly produces 1,000- yard seasons and Jamel Richardson merely scored a league-leading 16 touchdowns in his first season with Montreal, establishing a ream record.

And then there's Bratton, who has had to fight for playing time and every ball he catches. While the other three Als receivers get the glory and accolades, Bratton, who turns 27 on Friday, quietly goes about his business in an unassuming, yet productive, manner. He scored seven touchdowns in 2008 while catching 54 passes for 636 yards.

``It's going to be like that. I just go out and do what I'm supposed to, making play after play,'' said the five-foot-10, 188-pounder.

``When you talk about Cahoon, Watkins and Richardson, I'm kind of left out. A lot don't know who the fourth receiver is. So I'm not recognized and they all catch more balls than I do.''

Bratton never has caught more than nine passes in one game, that coming last October, at Hamilton. And he's generally counted on to run intermediate routes, catching high-percentage passes that keep drives continuing. But he's invaluable to the team, having the ability to play each receiver's spot. And he's also the backup kick returner.

``I think in order to be great you have to go through the process of serving and playing that supporting role,'' he said. ``You have to earn your stripes, build off that and improve every year. That's where I am right now. But, eventually, I'll be in (the other receivers') shoes and be called a great receiver in the CFL.

``I want to be the best receiver Brian Bratton can be. If that means catching 70 balls or 20, it's great. It's what I do with that. Being a headliner's great, but it's not a top goal.''

Courtesy: www.montrealgazette.com