Alouettes unfazed by defensive snub

Members of the Montreal Alouettes' defence say they're more focused on facing the Edmonton Eskimos in the East Division final than dealing with being snubbed from the CFL's all-star defensive squad voting.

No Alouettes were voted to the team, which was unveiled Wednesday by the CFL.

"It doesn't matter to us," said cornerback Mark Estelle. "We're out here not to focus on the all-star vote, but on Edmonton, that's all.

"We don't worry about that, we're worried about us, about going out and playing great football together, as a secondary, as a whole team. We knew we have great talent over here, so we don't need to rely on somebody else to put a tag on our back."

Safety Matthieu Proulx agreed, saying he's not bothered that Montreal hasn't placed a defensive player on the all-star squad since 2005 when Richard Karikari got the nod.

"It's cliche to say, but the only thing that counts is to win this weekend's game and to win the Grey Cup," said Proulx, adding he certainly felt there were some deserving Alouettes players.

"The guy who's going to have a ring on which 'Grey Cup' is written is going to much happier than [the guy] who's going to have a ring with ... 'All-Canadian.'"

Montreal's defence was ranked second in fewest points allowed (23.5 per game) and rushing yards (99.6 per game) but was a distant sixth in total yards allowed (396 per game) and seventh against the pass (318 per game).

The Alouettes' pass defence has raised some concerns heading into Saturday's division final because of Edmonton's potent passing attack (league-best 335 yards per game).

Quarterback Ricky Ray was the league's top passer with 5,663 yards.

"Our defence has played a role in our success," said Alouettes running back Avon Cobourne. "Our defensive players created several comebacks."

Proulx was second in the CFL in forced fumbles (four) while defensive tackle Keron Williams was tied for third overall in sacks.