BULLITT

'I still don't understand why'
Herb ZurkowskyMontreal Gazette
Thursday, July 03, 2008


CREDIT: John Mahoney, Gazette file photoJarrett Payton.

MONTREAL - Jarrett Payton is still trying to rationalize where things went wrong and how his Alouettes career ended so abruptly, after only one year.
He also can't understand why he wasn't allowed to compete for the starting tailback job that was his last season.
"Everything's always a shock when you don't see it coming," Payton told The Gazette Thursday morning from his Chicago home - the first interview he granted after his release by Montreal on Wednesday.
"I really don't know what happened, but a little bit was my injury. The injury opened the door for a switch."
Payton led the Als in rushing in 2007, gaining 852 yards in 13 games while scoring eight touchdowns. But he missed most of training camp this year with an ankle injury and was replaced by Avon Cobourne.
Cobourne gained 107 yards on 12 carries against Hamilton last week - a game in which Payton said he was healthy enough to play. But he was told he required another week to heal.
When practice resumed this week, Payton was ordered to stay home while the team attempted to trade him. Without a deal on the table, he was released.
"It sounds like I was never in the picture," Payton said. "What would have happened if I wasn't hurt? I don't know, but they would have had a tough decision. When I'm playing at my best, I'm good and can help a team win.
"You want to be able to compete," he added. "Then, if you lose, it doesn't hurt as much. But I wasn't given the chance."
Payton stressed he has no animosity against new head coach Marc Trestman or Cobourne, crediting Cobourne for seizing the opportunity presented.
"But it's weird," Payton said. "It's one of those things and I still don't understand why."
Coincidentally, Payton was suffering from an ankle injury at the start of last season. But former head coach Jim Popp remained patient while his prized signing recovered.
Payton returned and eventually replaced Robert Edwards in the backfield.
Payton wonders what might have transpired had general manager Popp remained Montreal's coach. "That's a really good question," said the son of the legendary late Chicago Bears running-back Walter Payton.
"I can't say," he added. "But would I have been the best fit for the team?
As a free agent, Payton can sign with any CFL or NFL team, but might have a better opportunity to start in Canada.
Edmonton and Toronto seem the best fits for now, but Eskimos head coach Danny Maciocia yesterday said his team isn't interested.

hzurkowsky@thegazette.canwest.com