Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
Slower is better for William Stanback.
The big Montreal Alouettes running back already has more yards in 11 games this year than he did in 16 during his rookie 2018 season. He attributes his upward trend to an improved understanding of the CFL game and feeling more comfortable in the Montreal offensive scheme.
“The game has slowed down a lot more for me,” said the 25-year-old from Hempstead, N.Y. “I’m seeing things in a different perspective. Things are coming to me much easier than it was last year.”
There were times last season when Stanback faced a difficult learning curve, despite collecting 539 yards on 81 carries.
“Now, if I hear something, I know it like second nature,” he said. “I’m just comfortable with the guys in the locker room. We just all believe in one another.”
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Montreal Alouettes running back William Stanback carries the ball out of the backfield against the Edmonton Eskimos (Peter McCabe/CFL.ca)
Despite missing two games with an injury, Stanback has rushed for 895 yards and five touchdowns on 139 carries in his sophomore campaign. He’s third in the league in rushing, just 55 yards behind Edmonton’s C.J. Gable.
Montreal head coach Khari Jones said Stanback remains a work in progress but has frightening potential.
“He’s just an energy guy, a guy that is just a beast,” said Jones. “He’s big, he’s fast, he’s strong. He’s everything you want in a back. He’s still plying his trade and getting better at it, which is kind of cool.
“He’s still kind of young as far as backs go. He’s just learning how to read the holes and read the people in front of him. He’s getting better at that every week. Once he really gets that down, it could be pretty scary.”
Stanback had 14 carries for 147 yards in Montreal’s narrow 25-23 loss to the BC Lions last weekend. It was his second-highest total as a pro after gaining 203 yards again Hamilton earlier this season.
It wasn’t just how many yards Stanback collected, but how he gained them. Like a hungry dog pouncing on a steak, he ripped off big chunks. There were three carries over 20 yards, including a 40-yard ramble in the fourth quarter.
At six foot and 233-pound, Stanback can be like a boulder rolling down a hill. At the end of one play in Week 16, he bulldozed over Lions’ defensive back T. J. Lee.
“It was just the way the plays are called, how their defence was lined up,” Stanback said. “I was able to get through the line of scrimmage and get to the second level many times.
“I just thank the guys up front for opening the holes, believing in me to get through there, hit the holes as hard as I can and get as many yards as I can.”
Lions running back John White liked what Stanback showed.
“He runs so hard,” said White. “He’s very diligent how he runs. He’s patient. He kind of has it all. He’s huge.”
White said patience and confidence is something a good running back learns over time.
“Just knowing yourself and being confident in yourself and your ability,” said the seven-year veteran. “Playing within yourself, not playing outside your body. Not trying to make the big play every time. Stick to what you do in practice all the time.”
This season has been one of feast and famine for Stanback. Saturday was his third game of 100 or more yards. He’s also had four games of 60 yards or less.
Jones said the Alouettes haven’t always been able to employ their running game.
“Sometimes it’s just the way the game is,” he said. “If I had my choice, I’m going to try to run him 15 to 20 times a game. Get him the ball as much as possible and get him wearing the defence down.
“Hopefully we can continue to do that. When it gets a little colder it will make it a little easier.”
Stanback is more concerned about the Alouettes’ record than his own personal numbers.
“I don’t care if I have two yards rushing, 100 yards rushing or 300 yards rushing. I just want to win,” he said. “That’s all I care about. I care about my team.
“I’m not looking for individual stats. That’s never been the type of player I was. I always was a team player and I try to do everything I can to help the team win. If I have great numbers that’s cool. But if we get the W, that’s the objective.”
Stanback split his college career between Virginia Union University and the University of Central Florida. He attended the NFL Green Bay Packers training camp in 2017 before signing with the Alouettes.
Playing in Montreal makes it easy for Stanback to return to New York to visit his family. He also has come to appreciate what Montreal offers.
“I love the city, the food, the people,” he said. “They make you feel like you belong there.”
After opening the season with back-to-back losses, the Alouettes are second in the East with a 7-6 record and could clinch a playoff spot with a win or tie this weekend against Calgary.
The team’s success on the field has been matched by turmoil off.
In February, the Johnny Manziel experiment came to a sudden end when the CFL terminated the former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback’s contract with Montreal.
In May, the league announced it had taken over ownership of the team. Prior to the season starting, Mike Sherman was released as head coach. In July, general manager Kavis Reed was fired.
Stanback said the team hasn’t been swayed by the winds of chaos.
“We learned to stay grounded and understand who we have in the locker room,” he said. “We’re always going to fight for each other, it’s a brotherhood.
“Our bond is incredible.”
Montreal Alouettes running back William Stanback picks up yards after a catch against the Saskatchewan Roughriders (Arthur Ward/CFL.ca)
The Alouettes haven’t made the playoffs since 2014 and their last winning season was in 2012.
Losing can sometimes be like mould in a dressing room, something Stanback wants to help clean away.
“We’re just trying to change the culture around here,” he said. “There have been a lot of down seasons, a lot of low times in the past years. We just want to try to make this year something special.
“It’s been special so far. We have to keep it up. We have to keep our foot on the pedal, just make sure we don’t take anybody lightly, just continue to train hard.”
