GM Reed helps forge new identity for Alouettes
General manager has wasted precious little time retooling Montreal’s roster
When he was named Alouettes general manager in December, Kavis Reed had a blank canvas with which to work. He would decide what colours to use and what hues were no longer required.
“The attrition rate for our team is probably not any different than the other eight teams. But because it’s a new regime, it’s perceived to be greater,” Reed said.
It was obvious changes were coming.
The Als have won only 13 of 36 games during the last two CFL seasons, missing the playoffs both years. That’s why Jim Popp received a double salvo, first being removed as head coach in September with the team at 3-9, then as GM two days after the season ended.
The makeover of the Als began with the acquisition of veteran quarterback Darian Durant in a trade from Saskatchewan.
Receiver Ernest Jackson was signed as a free agent. Import offensive tackles Jovan Olafioye and Brian Simmons were added.
There has been considerable tinkering done defensively as well with the addition of safety Ryan Phillips along with defensive linemen Jabar Westerman, Keith Shologan and Don Oramasionwu. Linebacker Frédéric Plesius was added in a trade from Hamilton.
Gone are four defensive starters — tackle Alan-Michael Cash, linebacker Winston Venable, safety Marc-Olivier Brouillette and end Aaron Lavarias. Injured receiver S.J. Green is with Toronto, while offensive tackle Jeff Perrett was released and retired. It wasn’t the additions so much as the character the incoming players bring, according to Reed. Many come from championship-calibre teams.
“They understand what lockerrooms are about and what this one needs to be a championship team,” Reed said prior to participating in a league-mandated state of the franchise conference call Thursday afternoon with head coach Jacques Chapdelaine and Durant.
“We’ve morphed the lockerroom. It was critically important. The teams that have the ability to build chemistry, to quiet the noise internally and make sure the focus is on preparation and playing successful ball are the teams that succeed.
“We had that, but there was noise we needed to quiet.
“The people we have, the leadership we have, the approach of Jacques Chapdelaine. The veteran (returning) leaders who have gone through the inconsistency, playing below our potential. There’s a starvation from the guys remaining.”
The Als are no different than any other CFL team.
They can’t win or be competitive without competent quarterback play. And for the quarterback to succeed, he must remain upright.
Montreal scored only 383 points last season (21.3 on average), ahead of only Saskatchewan.
Its 40 touchdowns were third lowest and it was last in net offence. The Als also surrendered a league-high 64 sacks.
The Als acquired veteran quarterback Kevin Glenn in an October 2015 trade and he was supposed to be the solution. Less than a year later, he lost his starting job and was traded.
Perhaps Durant is an upgrade, but he’s 34 and frequently gets injured.
“The circumstances and conditions were different (for Glenn),” said Reed, formerly the Als’ special teams co-ordinator.
“Where does he fit? Is he truly the guy? It wasn’t his talent, it was the position he found himself in. The locker wasn’t ready for that, to allow someone outside the building to come in and be that leader.
“Darian Durant, with his pedigree, is coming in to be a leader, not just a positional player.”
Chapdelaine, meanwhile, brought order and discipline to a team crying for direction and leadership from its coach.
The change in attitude was visible almost immediately, although Chapdelaine had no experience as a pro head coach before becoming the first francophone in franchise history to hold that title.
The Als went 4-2 under him and although only one of the victories came against a team with a winning record, that mattered little in the grand scheme. The changing of the guard was complete, an attitude adjustment had occurred. The players had someone in whom they could believe.
Chapdelaine can only benefit and grow now that he gets the benefit of a full season to reinforce his doctrine.
“There was a renewed sense of optimism at the end of last season. There was a new identity created,” he said.
“That has kept rolling (through mini-camp) and amplified itself despite the changes to the roster. What we did at the end of the season did matter and did carry through.”
There will be bumps along the road, of course.
With two import offensive tackles, the Als must change their ratio, starting at least two and possibly three Canadians on defence, long the team’s backbone.
Offensively, the Als might utilize a second non-import receiver.
Regardless, Chapdelaine wants to see the team establish a quality running game — an aspect long overlooked.
The Als, like any team, will strive for a championship when the veteran players assemble for training camp on May 28 at Bishop’s University.
But their immediate goals are more modest — make the playoffs and host a post-season game.
Chapdelaine believes they’ve improved.
“But nobody will endorse that fully until we’ve gone into the season and proven it not only to ourselves, but to other people. I think we have some positive elements that can make us extremely competitive right now.”
They understand what locker-rooms are about and what this one needs to be a championship team.