Trio of ex-stamps riding high with Als
Evans, Levels and Campbell make mark patrolling Montreal’s defensive backfield
There’s added horsepower in the secondary of the Montreal Alouettes these days.
That’s because there’s a trio of former Calgary Stampeders patrolling the defensive backfield for the Canadian Football League club.
Grey Cup champions Ciante Evans and Patrick Levels made the move east after success with the Stampeders, joining fellow coverage-man Tommie Campbell, who signed on with the Alouettes the previous off-season.
“Those guys have been great for us,” said Als head coach Khari Jones. “They make plays every week, it seems, and they’re making plays in practice. And just their work ethic is great — the time that they put in to the film study (is great).
“Yeah ... those guys, along with Tommie Campbell who’s having a great season as well, we’re glad they’re Montreal guys now.”
Especially since the additions of Levels, in the off-season, and Evans, in pre-season after finding himself out of work when the Alliance of American Football folded after four games, have helped dramatically elevate the Alouettes defence.
“I talked to Ciante at least once or twice a week during the off-season when he was playing football down in the south,” Campbell said. “I would call him and help him out with tips and things like that. He’s like my little brother. He is older than me, but him and Patrick are like my little brothers. And it’s fun playing with them.”
It was that relationship that helped Evans make the decision to make his way to Montreal instead of returning to Calgary.
And in true Evans style, he’s quietly making an impact — with two interceptions to date — even though he’s no longer at shortside cornerback like he did with the Stamps.
“Ciante had to learn exactly what it was like to play field half(back), because he’s been playing field corner(back) for his career,” Levels said.
“But at the end of the day, we’re all ball players, we’re all DBS and we have to make adjustments and transitions. And I think ‘C’ has done that very well.”
Levels himself has made a name for himself in Montreal, racking up a whopping 47 tackles in just seven games after two seasons averaging 18 with the Stampeders.
His decision to leave the Grey Cup champs this winter seems to be paying dividends for him.
“Just the opportunity,” said Levels, when asked about choosing the Alouettes in his third CFL season. “There was uncertainty in my role (in Calgary) — what exactly my role was, what exactly I was going to be doing ... Montreal, they gave me a role, they gave me a job ... kept me real. They were honest about everything they wanted to do with me. For that, I’m thankful.
“But I do appreciate Calgary for giving me an opportunity to start my career and get my foot in the door. So for that I’m always going to be grateful.”
Campbell, meanwhile, is in his second campaign with the Alouettes continuing to be one of the best cover corners in the league, just as he was during the early part of his career with the Stampeders.
And he’s pleased as punch to see the likes of Evans and Levels join his secondary.
“It’s great that they came here,” said Campbell, with two INTS himself. “It’s great to be playing with them.
“For one, they’re just great players. Any time you can great players come and play with great players, it’s always a blessing. Plus, we had chemistry off the field, so that’s a bonus.”
It’s a boon, for sure, for the Alouettes to have the trio in place.
Once as soft as it gets in the CFL, the Als defensive unit is making life tough on opposition offences, helping the team find contention in the East Division.
Nick Arbuckle and the Calgary Stampeders are likely to find out just how much more solid the Alouettes are on the defensive side of the ball when the teams square off Saturday at Mcmahon Stadium (5 p.m., TSN/NEWS Talk 770 CHQR).
SHORT YARDAGE
The Stampeders will also be without WR Markeith Ambles against the Alouettes, as he is out with a twisted ankle. Rookie WR Josh Huff will start in his place. “A good game to come in on,” said Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson of Huff. “He’s got a great matchup against Tommie Campbell. Gotta just be himself. He’s locked in on his assignments.”