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Second overall in pass receiving. Slotback appears destined to capture third-straight outstanding Canadian award.
After a slow start to the season, much like the Alouettes offence, slotback Ben Cahoon is back where he belongs - among the league's statistical leaders in pass receiving.
Cahoon is second overall in yards to British Columbia's Geroy Simon, with 476. Cahoon's 33 receptions is eight more than Simon. Cahoon caught seven passes for 59 yards in the season opener against Edmonton, but has surpassed 100 yards in each of Montreal's least three games. Hal Patterson holds the team record for most consecutive 100-yard games in a season, eight, established in 1956.
"I understand the quick start. I hope to remain healthy and keep contributing," the personable Cahoon said yesterday.
Although Cahoon says he never sets personal goals, he's on pace to catch 144 passes this season. He led the CFL last season with 112 receptions. That's why, when he became a free agent last February, general manager Jim Popp identified his re-signing as the club's top priority.
"When you have a guy who's the outstanding Canadian two years in a row in a league that prides itself on Canadian talent, you want to maintain that," Popp said. "He's a good leader who sets a good example. He brings a lot to the table."
What makes Cahoon more remarkable is his size - only 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds. There are taller and faster receivers, but none with a better set of hands.
It's rare for Cahoon to go an entire game without making an improbable, circus-like catch. His most memorable this season came on the Als' first offensive play at Toronto. Despite being double-covered, he made a diving catch for a 46-yard gain. A photograph of that reception ran in many newspaper's sports sections, The Gazette's included.
"If they throw the balls, I do my best to catch them," said Cahoon, who has spent his entire seven-year CFL career in Montreal. "I've just been extremely blessed with good health and a great quarterback, good coaches and a fantastic offensive line. I'm the beneficiary of the talents around me more than anything I can do.
"I've done nothing different over the years. If they throw them, I catch them ... whether it's one or 10 a game."
Cahoon has never missed a game in his career, starting 112 consecutive contests. He attributes that streak to the Als' athletic therapists, Scott Suter and Rodney Sassi, who have oE.I.T.sionally performed miracles to get him back on the field.
At his current pace, Cahoon appears destined to capture his third-straight outstanding Canadian award, something that has not occurred since 1976-78, by Ottawa's Tony Gabriel. Gabriel was the top Canadian four times in his career, as was Rough Riders quarterback Russ Jackson. Saskatchewan slotback Ray Elgaard captured the award three times between 1988 and '92.
"From the day he came to training camp (as a rookie), he's been making those catches," Popp said. "There aren't many like him who can control their body in midair and have the hand-eye co-ordination in one package.
"He's a remarkable athlete."
One who says he has yet to hit his peak. Cahoon said there are plenty of tricks he can work on, listing his route-running, catching, the yards he contributes after a reception and reading defences.
"I'm not there yet. I've got a lot to improve on," he said with a straight face. "I don't feel like there's any way I can plateau as a player."
Source: Montreal Gazette
Page: C3
Section: Sports
Byline: HERB ZURKOWSKY
Date: July 14 2004
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