While he’s not quite built like his imposing colleagues Todd Howard and Morris Lolar, Defensive Coordinator Bob Slowik sure has the knowledge and methods to impress.
Do you remember your favourite phys ed teacher? You know, the one who never lost his fire and would always take the time to teach you, in detail, the proper techniques. That’s Bob Slowik. After only two days in his company, local linebacker Jean-Gabriel Poulin confirmed that our new DC was a natural-born teacher.
A robust challenge awaits the man who is just debuting in the CFL, but he is more than happy to be tackling it. After spending over 20 years in the NFL, including five with Head Coach Mike Sherman in Green Bay, Slowik took a break before picking up Canadian Football a few months ago.
“I came to Montreal for the first time in August when Coach Sherman asked me to check out the CFL,” says Slowik. “I found it fascinating; all the motions, the fast pace, the three downs instead of four. I can’t say it was all new, but it certainly felt like I was rediscovering my sport. It was cool!”
During the last three months of the 2018 season, the defence specialist attentively studied the battles taking place North of the border.
“It was perfect for me to be able to do that at home. I had no distractions, I was neutral and I could just do intensive work sessions.”
Before hitting the field with his new squad, Coach Slowik had a chat with one of the leaders of his unit, Henoc Muamba. The team shot itself in the foot too often, they agreed. Too many mental mistakes, too many miscommunications.
“We didn’t get beat physically very often. We got beat mentally. If we need to simplify things, we will. It’s impossible to eliminate all the mistakes, but our mistakes can’t always lead to big plays or scoring drives for our opponents.”
Last year, the Montreal defence was ranked second to last, outperforming only Toronto, for points allowed. What the record doesn’t show, however, is the emergence of young rising stars like Woody Baron and Ryan Brown who stood out on the defensive line. What the record also doesn’t show is the significant changes that were made to Coach Slowik’s unit in the past months.
In addition to being able to rely on Henoc, who could eventually become the next John Bowman of the locker room, the defensive coordinator has high hopes in Patrick Levels, added to the lineup this winter during the Free Agency period. Levels, 2018 Grey Cup champ, is expected to be transitioning from Defensive Back to Sam Linebacker. What will presumably be our starting threesome – Lokombo, Muamba and Levels – could be one of the most fearsome of the league and certainly a strength of the revamped defensive corps.
“I want our defence to be disciplined and aggressive, very aggressive, one of the most aggressive defences of the league,” Slowik explains. “And by aggressive, I don’t mean that we will be blitzing all the time, I mean that we will be challenging guys on every play. I want our coverage to be tighter on receivers, even if that means being body on body. I can tolerate a penalty for pass interference, not a penalty for a lack of discipline or focus,” says Slowik.
The coaching staff will need to take advantage of the two preseason games and the remaining of camp to place its pieces mostly on the secondary and the defensive line. Taylor Loffler at safety is more than likely to join his fellow Canadian teammates Lokombo and Muamba on the list of starters. If a national player snuck its way into the defensive front – for example Fabion Foote, Bo Banner or second draft pick Nathaniel Anderson who took some reps with the ones since his arrival in Montreal -, the offence would have the luxury to rely on one additional American starter. Offensive lineman Na’Ty Rodgers, who showed up to camp slimmer and more prepared than ever, could be the first to benefit from it.
Among the most fired up group – AKA the Defensive Backs –, the fight should be heated in the upcoming days. Considering veterans Tommie Campbell and Ciante Evans (acquired last week) are expected to fill two positions, another two are seemingly still vacant. For now. A few guys to watch out for: Jermaine Robinson, back for a second consecutive season, as well as rookies Jamarcus King and Marcellus Pippins who have made a few stunning plays at camp.
Coach Bob Slowik and his unit will be taking its first test tomorrow at 11 am, in Toronto. The game will not be televised, but fans can follow the action in real time on our Twitter and on TSN690. The team’s second and last prep game will take place at McGill Stadium on Thursday, June 6 at 7 pm.
