Als set sights on boosting defence as free agency begins

‘The city’s nice and the team’s headed in the right direction,’ says GM Reed

Like any general manager, Kavis Reed is wearing his best poker face before Canadian Football League free agency begins Tuesday at noon.

Don’t expect Reed to predict whether the Alouettes will sign only one or two free agents or whether the team, which seemingly has many holes to fill, will be more active than usual.

“Strategically, I’ve learned free agency ... is (all about) recruitment. It’s also looking at who fits,” Reed said. “It’s not just having the players wanting to be a part of it. It’s identifying those players that actually fit with the environment you’re trying to create.”

That environment has been poor. Montreal had a league-worst 3-15 record in 2017, losing its final 11 games. The team also hasn’t made the playoffs the last three seasons and hasn’t reached the Grey Cup since 2010.

That has led some around the league to speculate free agents won’t find Montreal an attractive destination. And those who acquiesce will do so only because the organization overpaid.

“Every team that wants a player to move will probably have to pay him a little bit more,” Reed said, before denying he’ll be more challenged than any of his CFL colleagues. “I don’t think we’re at any disadvantage based on last season’s record or previous years,” Reed said. “We have to promote that we’re shifting the culture and environment. Montreal’s a good place to play football. We have a good fan base. The city ’s nice and the team’s headed in the right direction.”

Nonetheless, one CFL agent made it clear he won’t be shopping his clients’ services to the Als.

“You never know but, right now, the Als are a mess. And unless I have no choice to park a guy there, most free agents — unless they’re getting overpaid — will pass on Montreal. Like Toronto last year when they had no general manager or head coach,” said the agent, who wished to remain anonymous.

“The (Als’) coaching staff really has no body of work in the positions they were hired,” the agent continued. “That’s a hard sell to a top player.”

The Als have many areas that require upgrading, mostly on defence. Kahlil Carter, the team’s new defensive coordinator, said the defence must virtually be rebuilt. Carter, who was the defensive backs coach at Calgary, also said he believes his presence in Montreal will attract free agents.

Three sources have said the Als will pursue Winnipeg defensive end Jamaal Westerman, a non-import, who would likely be a starter. If he signed with Montreal, he would be reunited with his brother, Jabar, who was added as a free agent last winter from British Columbia.

Another intriguing Blue Bombers free agent is defensive back. T.J. Heath, who had five interceptions last season, one returned for a touchdown. There is speculation Heath’s headed to a team in the East Division.

If the Als fail to land Winnipeg ’s Westerman, they might set their sights instead on the Lions’ Alex Bazzie, an import linebacker. Another defender who will be highly coveted is Hamilton defensive tackle Ted Laurent, a Montreal native. But he’s a high-ticket item who could be destined for Ottawa. The Als also appear interested in Emanuel Davis, a defensive back recently released by the Tiger-Cats before he was set to receive an off-season bonus.

“We’re definitely going to be looking at the linebacker corps,” Reed said. “We want to sign a couple of quality defensive linemen as well. That might seem like a lot. There’s some really good (defensive back) names out there, possibly. There’s some great quality guys who could come in and help with our transition.”

While the Als don’t figure to be particularly active on offence, Reed admitted he wants to add to the team’s depth on the offensive line. The Als were ravaged by injuries up front last season after not allowing a sack in their first three games. And, as of Monday afternoon, starting right tackle Brian Simmons remained unsigned.

A source also told the Montreal Gazette he believes the Als have Canadian receiver Jake Harty in their crosshairs. Harty, a 6-foot2, 210-pounder, has spent three seasons with Ottawa. In 18 games last season, he caught 27 passes for 226 yards, scoring one touchdown.

Also, Reed said he and the coaches will be watching tape of quarterback Drew Tate, who was released by the Redblacks on Monday.

In the hours leading to free agency, the Als still have many unsigned players, including kicker Boris Bede, defensive backs Tevaughn Campbell and Dominique Termansen, offensive linemen Xavier Fulton and Jeremy Lewis, defensive linemen Ivan McLennan and Don Oramasionwu, and linebacker Reggie Northrup. But numerous sources indicated a deal for Bede is imminent.

Earlier Monday, the team announced the return of veteran rushend John Bowman. Bowman, who has spent his 12-year CFL career with Montreal and is the team’s alltime sacks leader (121). Bowman, 35, led the team with nine sacks in 2017 and has recorded 10 or more sacks in seven of his 12 seasons.

The (Als’) coaching staff really has no body of work in the positions they were hired.