Montreal linemen complement each other's play and are just two of several former Edmonton Elks playing large roles since joining Montreal.
When Mike Moore was traded from Edmonton to the Alouettes in January, the first call he made was to Almondo Sewell, his off-season training partner and former Elks teammate.
Moore must have felt the band was reuniting in Montreal, because fellow defensive-lineman Nick Usher also plays for the Als after getting his start in Edmonton.
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Moore, a 29-year-old import defensive tackle, had a career season in 2019 with nine sacks in 17 games while playing next to Sewell, who had eight sacks.
“He’s a vet who knows the game and knows offences,” Moore said of Sewell on Wednesday. “He knows every team in this league and has little tidbits that can help every situation. Just being with him has helped me throughout my career.”
The 6-foot-4, 269-pound Moore has come as advertised. Through 13 games, he has 22 defensive tackles and shares the team lead in sacks (four) with Michael Wakefield. Moore also has knocked down two passes and has one tackle for a loss.
Having Sewell next to him has helped Moore’s transition to the Als. At 6-foot-4 and 288 pounds, Sewell is a handful who often encounters double-teams, occasionally allowing Moore to roam free. Nonetheless, Sewell still has 16 defensive tackles, two sacks and one fumble recovery.
“We all complement each other,” Sewell said. “Unfortunately, the way things are going, sometimes you have to sacrifice (personal stats) to win games. You play in a system where you have to take double-teams on. That’s how it is. You win games that way, but it doesn’t mean you’re not productive.”
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With the Als preparing for their game Saturday afternoon at Edmonton, it’s staggering how many former Elks players comprise Montreal’s roster.
Along with Moore, Sewell and Usher — the latter has a serious knee injury that might require surgery and could be season-ending — tailback Walter Fletcher was traded to Montreal on June 14 for a sixth-round draft choice, while cornerback Nafees Lyon and defensive-end Thomas Costigan were part of a trade this season for Avery Ellis and a third-round pick.
General manager and interim head coach Danny Maciocia said it’s simply a coincidence.
“We just found a partner we could make a couple of transactions with,” said Maciocia, a former GM and head coach at Edmonton more than a decade ago. “It just worked out that way. There’s really no rhyme or reason as far as how it all unfolded. It just happened. It’s strictly based on fit. They could have been from Calgary, as far as I’m concerned.”
The fact the Elks (4-10) have struggled this season and are close to being eliminated from playoff contention, doesn’t mean the acquisitions aren’t competent, according to Maciocia. He said he looks at them as players; some of whom fit one team’s system better than another.
It’s likely also no coincidence Noel Thorpe, who became the Als’ defensive coordinator in July, also spent time in Edmonton.
“I was talking about that the other day and wouldn’t be surprised if more players from Edmonton come,” said Lyon, who returned an interception 52 yards for a touchdown in his first Als game, against B.C. “This is the next game up. There are no hard feelings.
“Definitely going in, I want to make a play and (show management) you should have kept me. But (trades) are part of the game. It’s a business. They did what they had to.”
Indeed, all the former Elks contend they have no axe to grind and are treating Saturday as the next game as the Als continue their quest to secure a playoff berth. Montreal (6-7) has won four of its last five.
“Of course, internally you want to make plays and show them what they’re missing,” said Fletcher, who was acquired after William Stanback fractured his ankle in the season-opening game. “We know what’s at stake for us — and for them. They have nothing to lose.”
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
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