Kamau Peterson
CFL.ca
It seems that at this time of year a common storyline tends to be that of the all-star player who is deemed to be under performing by media and/or fans. Questions begin streaming in, fingers are pointed, and conclusions begin to be drawn by those parties interested – usually prematurely.
On the odd occasion that a player’s skills will diminish considerably over one off-season, usually only one of a few factors is in play: age, injury or off-season laziness. While there are times that those factors have played into a player’s sudden struggles, the main reason for the majority of player struggles year to year tend to be a result of change in scheme or philosophy.
Do people really believe that a player like Jason Clermont, who has won three major league awards in seven years, has lost something in his game in the short time from last year to now? Of course he hasn’t. The difference is that the system that he was in previously had him in a position tailored to his skill set and allowed him to make plays within that skill set. Thus far, the scheme that he’s in currently has yet to find a way to utilize those talents in line with the other receivers that are there, and the offensive scheme itself.
The season is young and I don’t doubt that Paul LaPolice will find a way to manage all of the talent in that stable – however, the new addition to the scheme stands at a supreme disadvantage at the early portion of the season because of unfamiliarity by the coordinator, timing with the quarterback, and at times positional miscasting.
Of course it happens on the other side of the ball as well. Perennial all-star defensive backs like Jordan Younger and Omarr Morgan have both tested their skills on a new team after several successful years with their respective teams, and systems. Both were solid on Edmonton, but took criticism from outside sources who expected a continuance of the all-star dominance that they showed on their previous teams.
Aside from obvious factors like continuity, familiarity and comfort level that were ever present in their previous secondaries, and could only come with years within the new one – the system change was the largest factor in any perceived struggles.
Omarr held down the weak side with Eddie Davis for the better part of the last decade in Regina to the point where they don’t even need to speak to each other on the field anymore to lock up some of the best tandems in the league. It wasn’t surprising for me to see Morgan fall right back into his all-star form once he returned to Saskatchewan.
In Younger’s case, he has returned to an Argo team that has completely changed its defensive philosophy from the time that he was there, when he was a large part of the success that that secondary enjoyed for so long. Yet another new system at his old stomping grounds, and a new position, essentially puts him right back where he began upon being traded to Edmonton, but in a more familiar stadium.
Luckily, the three players that I’ve named possess enough talent and versatility to weather the storm of a new system until the waters calm and they settle into their place within it. Not all players are so fortunate, and often times the trepidation and frustration that comes with the process of settling in can be too much to bear. The season is long, and more often than not… the cream rises to the top.
Kp8
