 |
| Ottawa linebacker Tyler Sawyer |
“We were definitely underrated coming into the year,” commented the fourth-year linebacker, during a phone chat from his residence near the University of Ottawa.
“Especially with losing [Brad] Sinopoli, three All-Canadian receivers, most of the offensive line, three-time Canadian on the defensive line … we lost a lot of fifth-year guys and talent,” he added.
Yes, a lot of talent.
Sinopoli, for one, is now a back-up quarterback with the Calgary Stampeders – a year after becoming the fourth Gee Gee to win the Hec Crighton Trophy. It’s no wonder then that most OUA prognosticators and fans would have expected a rebuilding period to follow for the garnet and grey.
That was never in the team’s blueprint though, according to Sawyer.
“People looking at us didn’t understand the hunger of the guys that were on the scout team servicing these guys for years. They wanted it. Everyone wanted it,” he explained with emphasis.
It’s been that passion that drove Ottawa to a 3-1 start on the season, and listed as the second best defence in the OUA before Saturday’s loss to Laurier on the road.
Not to mention speed as well.
“Our defence is predicated on speed and getting to the ball. We want to finish with 12 guys on the tackle.
“We are undersized … but our scheme allows for our athleticism to shine and just let us do what we do,” said Sawyer.
On top of that, without having any of their defensive linemen coming close to the standard playing weight of 300 pounds, Sawyer (who, as a linebacker, is a tad undersized at 6’0, 210lbs) credited the unit’s cohesiveness as the key to their surprising success.
“All of the guys now are getting into their third or fourth year, so we’ve been playing side-by-side for a couple years now, so you start to create that chemistry; it’s really huge,” said Sawyer.
“In the back-end with our defensive backs, they are really comfortable with one another. Our front seven, we’re just really tenacious in trying to go after the ball,” he added.
That athleticism is something that Sawyer is exuding even more of now - and it has him ranked in the top five in the OUA and top ten in the CIS in total tackles with 30. It all comes part in parcel of trying to be a leader, according to the 21 year-old from Metcalfe, ON.
“I’ve learned a lot from some good players … about leadership and work ethic. I’ve felt that every year that I’ve been in this system I’ve progressed more as a leader.
“I’ve been training a lot harder every year and understanding more of what it takes to succeed at the CIS level. I think I’ve found the formula and that’s why everything seems to be clicking,” he said.
He also credits part of that formula being the team’s second-year Head Coach Jean-Philippe Asselin.
Asselin (from Quebec City) led the team to a 7-1 record and their first Yates Cup appearance since 2008 last season – as the interim coach. This past summer, it was made official that he would be handed the reins, and it’s been a move that the players couldn’t be happier with.
“Coach JP is a player’s coach. He’s very organized and very good at setting out what we need to do; not concentrating on ten different things. We concentrate on one thing and put all of our attention onto that,” explained Sawyer – the Week #4 OUA defensive player of the week.
And what would that one thing be?
“It’s just basically wins or losses. Every Saturday, you’re playing for your life – especially when it comes to late October and start of November.”
No comments:
Post a Comment