Contained in the CFL: Alouettes' smallest participant proves endurance is a advantage

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If James Letcher Jr. might be 6 ft tall for a second, the very first thing he would do is go to a basketball courtroom and try a dunk.

“I really feel each brief particular person needs they had been tall,” the Alouettes’ new return-specialist, all 5-foot-7 and 172 kilos, instructed the Montreal Gazette this week following follow. “Each shorter man would dream to be at the very least 6 ft.

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“I heard that I used to be too small all my life … no matter what I do … and I’m not nervous about it. It acquired me right here. I saved that chip on my shoulder my entire life, and it’ll proceed. I used to be instructed I used to be too small popping out of school — and I believe I had a profitable faculty profession. I used to be instructed that popping out of highschool, and solely had a few provides.”

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However Letcher’s story is about greater than being Montreal’s smallest participant.

The 24-year-old rookie from Kansas Metropolis spent just about your entire season on the workforce’s follow roster, incomes about $700 weekly after taxes, dwelling in a downtown resort the group makes obtainable with different teammates and hanging with fellow diminutive receiver Tyler Snead — additionally 5-foot-7, however 180 kilos — whereas ready patiently for his alternative.

That chance lastly got here two weeks in the past at Ottawa when Chandler Worthy sustained an ankle damage and was positioned on the six-week inactive record.

Letcher, with maturity, has come to understand endurance is a advantage, though admitting it wasn’t simple remaining idle. Alouettes assistant head coach and particular groups co-ordinator Byron Archambault is glad Letcher stayed the course.

“A participant can both lose curiosity or the workforce loses curiosity and endurance,” Archambault defined. “We didn’t need to make that transfer as a result of we knew what we had in our arms and wished to verify we saved him. There was going to be a possibility for him at one level.

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“He understood the method, saved coming in early and placing within the work. He took scout reps and acquired higher. A few of these guys are simply devoted.”

In two video games towards the Redblacks, Letcher returned 14 punts for 213 yards (15.2-yard common), together with a 37-yarder final Monday. He has been restricted to 2 kickoff returns as Ottawa was unable to attain touchdowns towards Montreal’s stingy defence, however introduced one again 50 yards. Letcher is content material together with his performances, however not glad, figuring out he left performs on the sector.

He’ll play his third recreation Saturday afternoon (4 p.m., TSN1, TSN5, RDS, CJAD Radio-800, 98.5 FM) towards the Edmonton Elks at Commonwealth Stadium.

Whereas Letcher is loath to gaze too far into the long run — Worthy, 30, was the East Division’s most excellent particular groups participant final season — he additionally understands that is his second in time to make a long-lasting impression. Letcher and Worthy stay shut, the veteran mentoring the rookie. However careers are additionally at stake.

“He (Worthy) has had a pleasant profession and confirmed all people who he’s,” Letcher stated. “However I really feel prefer it’s my flip to point out all people who I’m. I’m glad I don’t must make the ultimate (roster) choice.”

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Whereas it has been solely two video games, Letcher has displayed a capability to flee from confined areas and has wonderful contact stability, placing his hand, fairly than knee, right down to hold performs alive. It’s one thing that may’t be coached, in line with Archambault. Letcher is also dynamic, shifty and might make folks miss in open areas.

“He’s a man you root for,” Archambault stated.

Letcher, who ran observe and performed defensive-back in highschool, went to Division II Washburn, the place he rewrote quite a few Ichabod faculty data. In 48 video games, together with 31 begins, he caught 228 passes for two,992 yards whereas scoring 28 touchdowns. He scored three touchdowns on kickoff returns — essentially the most in program historical past — and tied for first with two punt-return scores.

He additionally graduated with a level in regulation enforcement. Letcher’s father, Morris, is a former sheriff who went on to turn into a fireplace chief and is now retired. He additionally performed collegiately at East Carolina, was as soon as invited to the Miami Dolphins’ camp and has been his son’s beacon all through his fledgling profession.

Letcher’s stature has galvanized him.

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“Not solely to show them flawed, however to show myself proper,” he stated. “I do know what I can do. my capacity, what I’ve labored for. To exit and present all people is nothing however a blessing. As a lot as they inform you you’re too small, it’s not simple tackling a small man. We’re already at a decrease degree. Once they get that low we are able to already make our transfer. They’re not used to being that low.

“I don’t consider it as being an obstacle. I’ve been right here my entire life. I’ve been doing this commonly.”

Letcher spent lower than every week on the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ mini camp final April, solidifying his perception. And whereas he knew subsequent to nothing concerning the CFL or the Alouettes, he was ecstatic to study of one other workforce’s curiosity; Montreal initially taking discover eventually January’s School Gridiron Showcase.

“I’m fortunate Montreal discovered me and am in a position to present all people what I’m in a position to do,” he stated.

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