Wilson still 'shocked' by release from Als Flory. Since tIlen, in a series lease by Saskatchewan. Wil­ 'Mind-boggling' of emails with The Gazette, son broke into the Canadian Wilson confirmed he would Football League with Win­ move, veteran says talk, eventually, once he felt nipeg in 2002. He spent three more comfortable discussing seasons with the Blue Bomb­ the scenario. Throughout Ole ers, wrapped around a two­ HERB ZURKOWSKY conversation, he reiterated year stin t with the Miami THE CiA,Z£TT( his desire to express his side Dolphins. '. I '-!"1A",':'C!i i? of the story, <Iud the respect Popp had n othing but Although a month has passed he was seeking. praise for Wilson following since he was released by "I wanted to leave with hisrelease,callinghima "tre­ the Alouettes, the sting and respect. I always did what mendous player and leader-" shock behind the move re­ was asked," Wilson said "r In five seasons with the mains prevalent in the mind was the sixth ofienslve-line­ Als, Wilson had 54 defensive of EricWilsOll. man, the fullback on short­ tackles. He played in three In an exclusive interview yardage, Ole wedge of kick re­ Grey CUps, wlnningtwo. with The Gazette, the veteran turns. This is mind-boggling. Wilson stlll hopes to play defensive tackle admitted he "llUlderstand the football one season with another CFL didn't see the move coming. aspecl, the salary cap and team. His agents.Paul Shee­ "When I left last November, the fact you're gettingoldel;" MIl(( CASSESE QEUllRS fll[ PHOTO hy and Wan-en Schmidt, have I had 110 inkling. In January, said Wilson, who received an "I wanted to leave with respect. I always did what was star ted making calls, but I was preparingto go back to annual salary of more than asked," former Alouette Eric Wilson says after his release Wilson won't allow the pro­ Montreal and play one last $100,000. "But I cUd an amaz­ cess to drag on indefinitely. year," the 34-year-old said ingjob for what Jwas asked." If he's done playing, Wilson from his winter home in Wilson's worth to ilie Als Montreal struggled on de· era1 managel: I took on two will return to the University Westchester, N.Y - the first goes beyond statistics. In­ fence in 2011 , but not agalnst to allow (others) to succeed. I of Michigan, his alma mater, time he has spoken to anyone deed, his numbers last sea­ tht> run. The Als allowed a was the sacriflcial lamb. I did working as a defensive-line from the medja. "This is a son would appear modest. Tn league-low average of 92. what was /lSked. I didn't play coach at summer camp- lIe's shock 1.0 me. I bad no clue. 17 games, he had 12 tackles yards per game. Wilson was the game and say I needed also considering becoming "They made their deci­ and one quarterback sack. He at the heart of stopping the nlUllbers. certified as a player agent. sion and tilis is the direction also recovered one fumble. run, often being double· "ll should have been Note: This month, Pete ROllS­ in which they're headed But after he was made a teamed ill the process. This brought to my attention and sel of CoachingSearch.com It's part of the game," Wil­ healthy scratch for a Labour allowed others, usuall y they should have changed reported Matt Sheldon will son added. "But I'm shocked Day game at Hamilton - one rush·ends John Bowman or the scheme," he added. ''But be namedthe Als' linebacker things went down like that." the Als lost, 44-21 - head Anwar Stewart - the latter it was never brought to my coach. Sheldon is aformeras­ Although The Gazette re­ coach Marc Trestman ad­ subsequently released before attentionduring theyear that sistant defensive backs coach ported the possibility of Wil mitted it was a mistake to Wilson - to put pressure on I needeu to do more." with the Minnesota Vikings. soo'Sl'eleasE' earlier this win­ have benched the 6-foot-4, Ule quarterback. Contrary to popular belief, He also bas NFL coaching ex­ ter. it wasn't lUltil Feb. 14 that 300-pound Wilson . Coinci­ "My poSition isn't based on Wilson isn't departing with perience with Buffalo and Sl theAJs confirmed themove in dentally, the Tiger-Cats stats," Wilson said. "We're all animosity and speaks highly wuis. a \\Titten statement - coming rushed for 144 yards in the adults and understand c11an­ of the organization and GM on the same day the team an­ game, including 102 yards ges eventually come, But Jim Popp. It was Popp who hzurkowskv@ nounced the re-signingof po­ alone by Avon Cobow·ne. who I could truthfully stand in signed him as a free agent in montrealgazeUe.com tential free-agent guard Scott scored twotouchdowns . front of any coach or the gen· June 2007, following his re­ twitter.com/HerbZurkowsky1 .