Alouettes hope addition of Shawn Lemon will improve anemic sack complete
Lemon has received two Gray Cups in his profession whereas taking part in in 135 regular-season video games. With 92 sacks, he sits thirteenth general in league historical past.
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Shawn Lemon isn’t making an attempt to play for each CFL workforce earlier than his stellar profession involves an finish. It solely appears that method.
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“I simply reap the benefits of the alternatives which are introduced to me,” Lemon mentioned Thursday after his second full follow with the Alouettes — the most recent cease for the 34-year-old veteran. He was signed by Montreal earlier this week to enhance their go rush. “I’d like to be in a spot for a very long time. I’d like to not go to totally different locations, however you may’t management these issues.
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“All I can do is management my manufacturing on the sphere.”
Lemon’s CFL profession began in 2011 with Saskatchewan, and he has been a member of each group besides Hamilton and Winnipeg. He has had two separate stints with Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto, and located his technique to B.C. thrice — the most recent this season, when he went to coaching camp with the Lions, solely to be launched, reportedly a ratio sufferer.
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The timing was stunning, contemplating the 6-foot-2, 242-pounder was coming off considered one of his best seasons. Whereas with the Stampeders in 2022, he produced a career-high 29 defensive tackles together with 14 quarterback sacks and compelled 5 fumbles. Lemon was the West Division nominee as excellent defensive participant and was named a league all-star.
However Calgary didn’t re-sign him and Lemon went to B.C. as a free agent. The native of Charleston, S.C., spent the final two months with household in Maryland, ready for the cellphone to ring. He mentioned 5 groups had been within the operating for his providers, and he selected the Als as a result of it reunites him with head coach Jason Maas and defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe.
“It doesn’t hassle me that I’ve moved round a lot,” Lemon mentioned. “In all places I am going, once I get a possibility to play, I produce. I can’t management (the rest) or reply why I’ve moved round. A coach is all the time going to do what he desires to do. I loved my time each place I’ve been. I’m only a man that adapt to wherever I’m at.”
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Lemon has received two Gray Cups in his profession whereas taking part in in 135 regular-season video games. With 92 sacks, he sits thirteenth general in league historical past, though he’s the one energetic participant on the record. The Als have had some nice rush ends of their historical past, together with John Bowman, Elfrid Payton and Anwar Stewart. To accommodate Lemon’s arrival, Nick Usher was launched.
“He (Lemon) has picked up the system shortly,” Thorpe mentioned. “We had been collectively in Edmonton. Lots of the terminology is acquainted to him. He has performed quick out right here and is doing all the things we anticipated of him within the first few days.
“Whether or not it was John Bowman, Anwar Stewart, a number of the greatest go rushers in our league had been taking part in of their mid-30s. Don’t neglect, we had Kyries Hebert till he was 38. That (age) doesn’t have an effect on us in any respect.”
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By 5 video games this season, the Als have produced a league-low seven sacks in comparison with Winnipeg’s main complete of 25. However Thorpe says an excessive amount of significance is positioned on sacks and that disrupting the quarterback is extra vital. In Montreal’s final two video games, in line with Thorpe, the defence compelled six holding calls; two with perimeter play and 4 inside.
“These guys have generated some inside go rush and have put stress on the quarterback,” Thorpe mentioned. “There all the time is an excessive amount of emphasis positioned on the sack complete. Individuals have a look at sacks.”
However with Lemon now within the equation, the Als are clearly hoping that complete will improve.
“Nothing in my profession has made sense,” Lemon mentioned. “Simply believing in your self and understanding the defence. You’ll be able to take your photographs inside the scheme of the defence. I simply need to disrupt the rhythm and timing of the quarterbacks, so he’s not snug. That’s key on this league.”
The Als, on a three-game shedding streak, entertain Calgary Sunday night time.
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