Alouettes put new focus on defence with signings
Montreal stays busy in free agent market by acquiring Westerman and four others
If the Alouettes’ philosophy in free agency last year was to load up on offence — and we know how that worked out — they’ve clearly set their sights on the other side of the ball in 2018.
Wednesday night, on the second day of free agency in the Canadian Football League, the Als finally announced the long-anticipated signing of non-import defensive end Jamaal Westerman from Winnipeg. He signed a two-year deal believed to be worth more than $200,000 annually.
That move followed the earlier additions of cornerbacks Tommie Campbell and Mitchell White along with defensive backs Joe Burnett and Dominique Ellis.
The Als, 3-15 last season, allowed a league-high 580 points, ranking last or near the bottom in most defensive categories.
“We identified our priorities in free agency. Our secondary was a priority,” general manager Kavis Reed told the Montreal Gazette.
“Those were (four) of our targets we felt could make us a better team, based on performance, character and the familiarity they have with the system we’re playing.
“The model has been to have a balanced team. Last year, we overloaded on offence and thought we could score more points and we’d work on our defence. That didn’t work.”
Earlier Wednesday, the Als announced the resigning of veteran quarterback Drew Willy, who received some significant playing time down the stretch in 2017. Reed also has deals pending with Ottawa receiver Jake Harty and British Columbia linebacker Adrian Clarke. Both are Canadians.
But clearly, this season’s prize jewel was Westerman, a 6-foot-3, 249-pounder who’s expected to significantly improve the Als’ pass rush while providing the team some flexibility to play with its ratio.
The 32-year-old spent three seasons with the Blue Bombers and will be reunited in Montreal with his brother, Jabar, a defensive-end who spent five seasons with the Lions before signing as a free agent last winter.
Jamaal Westerman was limited to 11 games last season before suffering a season-ending arm injury, but has been productive throughout his career. In 47 games, he has 118 tackles, 32 quarterback sacks and has forced four fumbles.
Reed said Westerman was the team’s top priority heading into free agency, ranking him slightly ahead of Campbell.
“Jamaal is a disruptive force on the field who leads by example,” Reed said. “Not only did we get better on defence with this move, but he also gives us the ratio flexibility that we so lacked.
“Our set-up now will allow us multiple ratio options.”
By adding another Canadian starter, the Als could conceivably start four non-imports on defence. That provides Montreal with the flexibility to utilize four American receivers or three non-imports on the offensive line.
The Als now arguably possess the league’s two best cornerbacks in Campbell and White.
Campbell will play the boundary while White is expected to line up on the strong-side.
Canadian Tevaughn Campbell, who was resigned on Tuesday, can also play on the corner.
“We have guys that have done a tremendous job so far in their careers,” Reed said. “Tommie Campbell obviously has a tremendous football pedigree. We feel strong we have to have a corner that can be isolated and win more battles than they lose. Tommie has proven that. His stature speaks for itself. He’s also extremely smart and well-versed in multiple schemes and coverages. He’s physical when he needs to be.”
Burnett started his career in Edmonton under Reed, so a familiarity exists, while Ellis is expected to improve the Als’ special teams along with playing defence. Ellis played in Montreal in 2014 and 2015.
Return-specialist Stefan Logan was particularly productive when teamed with Ellis, returning two punts for touchdowns in 2015.
White, coincidentally, also spent 2014 and 2015 with the Als before being released at training camp the following year, along with Ellis, by former general manager Jim Popp.
Reed denied the repatriation of both was in any way a condemnation of Popp’s moves.
“They fit what we’re trying to accomplish systematically now. Maybe they didn’t fit the system when they were released,” Reed said.
“It doesn’t mean it was in error.” Meanwhile, the future of veteran linebacker Kyries Hebert with the team remains uncertain.
Hebert, the outstanding defensive player in the East Division last season, sent out a provocative tweet Wednesday morning:
“When someone tells you they don’t want you, then shows you they don’t want you ... do yourself a favour! Believe them!”
Despite Hebert’s play and production last season, it’s believed new defensive coordinator Kahlil Carter might want the 37-year-old to assume a diminished role at this stage of his career.
“There’s no acrimony on our end. He’s a quality player,” Reed said.
“Our coaches have talked to Kyries about the role they felt he best fit in the new system.
“There are no starters right now. That gets blown out of proportion. With new coaches, everyone’s auditioning.”
Hebert received a significant winter bonus on Feb. 1, potentially further complicating matters.
Were he to be released, it would mark the second consecutive season in which the Als jettisoned the division’s outstanding defensive player.
On the second day of training camp last year, the team released middle-linebacker Bear Woods, who eventually signed with Toronto and won a Grey Cup with the Argonauts.
Last year, we overloaded on offence and thought we could score more points.