Jun
Tons of questions surrounding 2009 Als
Courtesy Montreal Gazette:
It was a team that went to the Grey Cup last season, although the Alouettes simply were the best of a weak East Division.
Montreal wasn’t the best team in the Canadian Football League in 2008 – a disappointing 22-14 loss to Calgary in the championship game at Olympic Stadium reinforced that notion. But the Als still figure to be good enough and have made few changes. In other words, don’t expect the Earth to move when the team assembles this weekend for the start of training camp at the Fort St. Jean campus. This is a veteran and experienced squad that appears to have few openings. But changes will occur. They always do.
Things begin in earnest Saturday morning, when players report for medicals, with the first workout Sunday morning. And the team already appears to have been dealt a curve.
RDS reported Friday night defensive-back Randee Drew, recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, will miss camp along with the Als’ regular-season opener, July 1 at Calgary. Drew, who suffered the injury Aug. 15 at Toronto while playing on special teams, underwent surgery in early September and had expected to recover by now.
Drew couldn’t be reached for comment. But his agent, Ron Slavin, sounded cautionary when contacted by The Gazette.
“He’s still trying to rehabilitate,” Slavin said. “He’s getting better.”
Slavin suggested it was premature to speculate on Drew missing the next month, but stated such decisions are out of his hands.
“Ask the player or the team and you get two different scenarios,” he said.
Drew’s considered one of the best Als defensive backs, and the team had difficulties replacing him, primarily because of injuries. Montreal eventually settled on Khalil Carter. But Carter was released over the winter, as was defensive-tackle Devone Claybrooks and frequently injured linebacker Dwayne Taylor.
The organization seemed to be making a statement with these moves. While the defence was decent, it must improve.
Montreal’s defence surrendered a modest 423 points in 18 games –second-lowest behind the Stampeders. But the Als allowed an average of nearly 400 yards per game while intercepting 18 passes, ahead of only Saskatchewan and Winnipeg.
“At times last year teams moved the ball easily against us. But it was only at times, though,” cornerback Davis Sanchez said. “At other times, we looked good.”
Of the Als’ three free-agent signings over the winter, all are defensive players who, coincidentally, played for the Blue Bombers. Defensive-tackle Jerome Haywood returns to Montreal following two seasons with Winnipeg. In 2006 with the Als, he registered four quarterback sacks.
Also signed were linebacker Cam Hall and defensive-back Stanford Samuels.
Although the Als produced 43 sacks last season – second-highest in the league – they had to blitz to get pressure on quarterbacks and might lack a player who can beat an opponent individually. If such a threat existed, clubs would be forced to double-team that rush-end.
Still, the Als weren’t all that bad. Defensive-tackle Keron Williams led the team in sacks, with 10, while rush-end John Bowman added eight and Jermaine McElveen six while playing only eight games.
The Als have plenty of speed at linebacker, but might be seeking more size. While Reggie Hunt and T.J. Hill appear secure, weak-side linebacker Diamond Ferri could be pushed.
The team must also decide on its starting safety – Matthieu Proulx or Etienne Boulay. Proulx’s a leader in the secondary, sound physically and can make a play on the ball in the air. But Boulay might be more athletic and quicker from sideline to sideline.
Offensively, don’t look for any significant changes. Quarterback Anthony Calvillo, the CFL’s outstanding player, has returned along with his cast of talented receivers. The Als scored a league-leading 610 points in 2008.
But Calvillo turns 37 in August, and at some point this team must address and identify his replacement, whether it’s Adrian McPherson, Brad Banks, Chris Leak, Ricky Santos or none of the above. With each season the gravity of the situation increases. It won’t be Marcus Brady, who becomes the Als’ receivers coach.
Montreal allowed a league-low 22 sacks last season, but lost its offensive-line coach, Vince Martino, along with its veteran depth. Dave Mudge was released, while Luke Fritz signed as a free agent with Winnipeg.
Rookie Andrew Woodruff, a 2008 draft choice, signed a reported four-year, $400,000 contract, overlooking any potential NFL opportunities in the process. At that salary, he might push veteran guard Paul Lambert.
“I think we’re an improved team over last year … because of the maturity of our younger players,” slotback Ben Cahoon said. “And we’re the second year into (head coach Marc) Trestman’s system. There were a whole lot of questions last year. But now we know what to expect. There won’t be growing pains or working through logistical issues.”
