The
CFL has often been a refuge for small talents.
Many exceptional players have found new life in Canada after
being rejected by the NFL for being too short, or too light.
With its smaller field and extra down, size matters south
of the border, especially when it comes to running backs.
But in the three-down, motion-in-the-backfield CFL, speed
comes before size. And that's why five-foot-nine, 190-pound
John Avery has been such a sensation in his rookie year in
Edmonton.
Avery was a unanimous West and league all-star at running
back, leading the CFL with 1,448 yards in rushing as well
as nine touchdowns and a gaudy average of 6.3 yards a carry.
Throw in his receiving and kick return numbers and Avery finished
third in the league with a combined 2,530 yards.
"Being
named a West All-Star is a big honour," the University of
Mississipi product told CBC. "A lot of times you don't know
how well your teammates respect you, this is one where you
find out they appreciate what you're doing."
His skills weren't so appreciated in the NFL. Avery was drafted
by the Miami Dolphins with the 29th overall pick in the 1998
draft. He appeared in all of the Dolphins 16 regular-season
games in his rookie season, rushing for 503 yards.
He was dealt to Denver two games into the 1999 season and
played six games with the Broncos that season, largely on
special teams. The Broncos released him the next season in
training camp. He looked to have revived his career after
he rushed for league-leading 800 yards and a touchdown with
the XFL's Chicago Enforcers. But the following summer he cut
by the Dallas Cowboys before the season started.
Avery believes he never got a chance to prove himself in the
NFL because the size-obsessed coaches there couldn't get past
his size, believing that he would never be able to take the
pounding from defenders.
So he's relishing the opportunity and the acclaim he's been
getting in Edmonton.
"I
hope they like me because I'm not going to get any bigger,"
he told the Edmonton Sun earlier this year.
"I've
always been too small. Can't take the pounding. If I was still
in the NFL, I'd still be on the bench watching. Here you can
see what happens when you give me the ball."
Indeed, Avery has made the most of his opportunity. His numbers
are even more impressive when you consider that he played
the first four games of the season backing up Ronald Williams,
who has since been released.
Avery will have his hands full Sunday against the Blue Bombers,
the league's top-ranked defence. But the little running back
is looking forward to the challenge.
"There's
a saying that 'pressure busts pipes,' some people can't handle
the pressure," says Avery.
"I
never really think of things as pressure. When it comes down
to the wire I got to get the ball in my hands and score a
touchdown or get the first down. If the game is on the line
I don't mind taking on the responsibility fo the team and
having the team's fate in my hands."
