1 on 1 interview with Montreal Alouettes defensive tackle, Mustafa Johnson. Conducted Saturday at Tim Hortons Field ahead of Grey Cup Sunday.
Has there been a favorite moment this week leading up to the game with your team?
“Oh, man. I really enjoyed the media today. Going in there, getting to talk to everybody, and just the camaraderie, like, hanging out in the locker room and hanging out, being able to eat food and, you know, talk shop, and not be so serious, and so uptight, you know. So that’s probably my favorite memory just hanging out and being with the guys.”
What were your takeaways from the West final film, Oliveira, he tore off 11 carries for 96 yards right away, but then I think he was held to 16 yards on the next 10 carries. So to me, it seemed BC showed what to do and what not to do to beat Winnipeg. What were your takeaways from the film?
“Well, they definitely showed us how stopping him can affect their style of play, affect their game, they showed us a few things on what’s going to work, what’s not going to work in stopping the run game. Obviously, we have our own philosophy of what we’re going to do to affect the run game. We’re gonna take some pointers but at the end of the day. I trust in our coach to have some things dialed up to get us right.”
Could you speak on your thoughts on the importance of the pass rush because that’s been another area that you’ve excelled at from the interior line, you’ve pressured at a rate that’s rare from the interior. So I’d I’d like to hear your thoughts on the importance of the pass rush against Winnipeg.
“It’s very important to have, they don’t want your quarterback to be comfortable for their quarterback to be comfortable. Whether he’s getting the ball off or not, I like to be in their face. I like to disrupt their throws. Any way I can help her, whether it’s, you know, causing a pick or just causing them to throw the ball short, high, or whatever it takes. Just getting there, I think that affects the quarterback a lot. Just having the presence of pressure in the face allows him not to be comfortable where he needs to roll out the pocket. Where he needs to roll out of the pocket. He can’t just sit back there and, you know, pick us apart.”
Other Interviews ahead of the Grey Cup:
Winnipeg Blue Bombers: K Sergio Castillo, DE Willie Jefferson, QB Dakota Prukop, RB Brady Oliveira
Montreal Alouettes: LB Tyrice Beverette, LB Reggie Stubblefield, DT Mustafa Johnson, K David Côté, DE Shawn Lemon, CB Kabion Ento
Reading Suggestions:
How Montreal Can Beat Winnipeg in the Grey Cup: Eight Keys to Victory
CFL Western Final Film Takeaways
CFL Eastern Final Film Takeaways
Other Articles:
BC Lions’ Tibo Debaillie Interview Ahead of West Division Finals
Reflecting on the CFL West Semi-Finals
Alouettes’ Jeshrun Antwi Interview Ahead of East Finals
East Semi-Finals Reflections
Alouettes’ Reggie Stubblefield Interview Ahead of East Semi-Finals
BC Lions’ Tibo Debaillie Ahead of CFL West Semi-Finals
Predicting the Rest of the CFL Season
CFL 2nd Period All-Star Team (Weeks 8-14)
CFL Midseason All-Star Team, Awards
First Period CFL and Divisional All-Stars
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