Alouettes linebacker Cox forging a name with strong defensive play

MONTREAL - Linebacker Chip Cox was named the CFL's defensive player of the month on Wednesday, and his Montreal Alouettes teammate Mathieu Proulx said it shouldn't stop there.

''To me, he's the defensive player of the league this year,'' said Proulx, who gets an up-close look at Cox from his safety position in the Alouettes defence. ''He makes plays every single game.''

Cox received the honour after twice being named CFL defensive player of the week in August.

The native of Columbus, Ohio, who starred in both football and track at the University of Ohio and has a black belt in taekwondo, has seemed to be everywhere on the field at once this season.

He leads the team with 40 tackles (fifth in the CFL) and has two sacks, two interceptions and he recovered a fumble and returned it 14 yards for touchdown against Winnipeg on Aug. 19.

Although small for a linebacker at five foot nine and 185 pounds, the converted defensive back uses his sprinter's speed to stay close to the football.

''That for him is key,'' added Proulx. ''When he blitzes he gets to the quarterback fast, and it's tough for the offensive line to pop out and block him because he gets there so fast.

''And it allows him to cover — usually the receiver No. 3 to the strong side, usually one of the good receivers on the other team. He's a defensive back at heart, so he can cover as good as anyone. And he can tackle very well. He's just a great all-around football player and he's forging a name in this league.''

The 27-year-old Cox is not one to blow his own horn. He said he doesn't read newspapers or watch highlights on TV and likes to stay out of the headlines, which may not be easy with the way he's playing this season.

When told that Proulx calls him the top defensive player, Cox said he's focused on Montreal's next game.

''This year isn't over," he said. "I don't look at what I've done because it doesn't matter. We have a game on Friday.''

That would be the 6-2 Alouettes' game against the visiting 1-7 B.C. Lions at Percival Molson Stadium on Friday night (TSN, 7:30 p.m. ET).

''Honestly, I really don't pay attention to any of it,'' Cox added. ''It's all a blur because it doesn't say anything about this week. What I did last week doesn't say anything for this week, so it can't matter to me right now.''

Cox, in his fifth CFL season all with Montreal, started out as a safety and defensive back, but coach Marc Trestman had him moved to linebacker during the 2009 training camp. The result was a CFL all-star berth as he helped the Alouettes win a Grey Cup.

''When coach Trestman came to me before training camp and said we need to find a place where you can make more plays and we can use your abilities, it didn't click to me that's where they were going to move me,'' he said. ''But it felt good to hear a coach say we need to use you more.

''The difference between (linebacker) and halfback is not much. It's maybe four or five yards closer to the box, so you're going to make more plays.''

Cox will be without one of his linebacking partners this week as Diamond Ferri has missed practice with a recurring abdominal ailment and won't play. Ferri also missed time last season with acute pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas.

His roster spot will be taken by running back Brandon Whitaker, who can play on all four special teams and return kicks as well as providing insurance for tailback Avon Cobourne, who has been recovering from a sore ankle.

Extreme heat and humidity caused the Alouettes to move indoors to practise on the soccer pitch at the Montreal Canadiens training centre in suburban Brossard, Que., after three days of outdoor workouts.

''We want to be fresh on Friday night,'' said Trestman.