Edmonton defensive end Malik Carney will aim to help the Elks win a second championship ring in as many years when they face the Montreal Alouettes in Calgary on Sunday.
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Edmonton Elks defensive end Malik Carney will go up against the Montreal Alouettes’ starting offensive unit again when the two teams meet in Calgary on Sunday.
Carney, 31, has already faced several of the Alouettes he expects to see this weekend after lining up against their offensive line in last year’s Grey Cup, when he chased Montreal quarterback Davis Alexander and won the championship as a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Speaking Saturday at McMahon Stadium, Carney described Alexander as unpredictable, saying, “He's such a wild card. You don't know what he's going to do,” adding that Alexander can make plays “in the pocket, outside of the pocket.”
Carney said Edmonton has a plan for Alexander and emphasized containing him. “I can't really give you our details and what our plan is, but we do have a plan for him and the only thing I can really say is that we have to do a great job of containing him and not letting him get going.”
This season, Carney ranked second in the CFL with 11 sacks, trailing Calgary Stampeder Clarence Hicks (12) and ahead of teammate Noah Taylor (10).
Taylor, 27, will join Carney as a pass-rushing threat against an Alouettes offensive line that allowed the least amount of sacks this season at 19, which was also a franchise record.
Taylor characterized their roles ahead of the matchup, saying, “Sonic and Knuckles,” and explaining: “He's the power, he's a bruiser and I'm the speed guy. I'm a lot faster than him. He's a lot stronger than me.”
Carney said the pair complement each other and noted Taylor’s approach off the field. “We complement each other very well. He's a guy that has two ears and one mouth, and that's a quote that I live by. You listen twice as much as you talk. He's a great example of that.”
Carney is one of 13 Elks players bringing previous Grey Cup experience into Sunday, with the chance to win his second championship ring after winning with Saskatchewan the previous year.
The Elks’ defence has been among the league’s best this season, allowing the fewest average points per game (24.3), the fewest net offence yards per game allowed (338.6) and the fewest average yards per play against (6.34). The unit also forced a league-leading 53 turnovers under defensive co-ordinator J.C. Sherritt.
Carney led the league in forced fumbles with four, and he said Edmonton’s group carries confidence into the final. “We carry a lot of swagger, confidence,” he said, adding that the team has “been putting out performances that represents exactly who we are as a defence.”
Ahead of the game, the Elks held a Saturday walkthrough, taking field time in brown vests and spending time with teammates and families at McMahon’s turf.
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