All’s well at Als practice
CFL: Cato says he mishandled Tuesday’s practice squabble
MONTREAL — There were no fisticuffs, shoving matches, outbursts or disagreements Wednesday during the Montreal Alouettes practice at Hebert Stadium as the CFL team attempted to move on from its second visible incident in two weeks.
But that doesn’t mean life has returned to normal. Other than B.J. Cunningham, quarterback Rakeem Cato had no dealings with his receivers. Indeed, he huddled on one bench with offensive co-ordinator Anthony Calvillo between offensive periods — the receivers congregating together on another bench.
How any of this will translate into Friday’s game at Hamilton remains to be determined, but the Als are 3-8 and have struggled most of the season offensively with Kevin Glenn at quarterback. Glenn, replaced by Cato as the team’s starter last week, was traded to Winnipeg Sunday night.
“He’s focused,” veteran slotback Nik Lewis said of Cato. “(Calvillo) didn’t talk to nobody. I know that. Cato had a good practice. He made some great throws on the run. He was focused in.
“I think it’s all a misconception of what’s thought of people and what’s said. We’re in a business where there’s a lot of personalities, a lot of different people. Some are not going to like people, but you still show up and do what you have to.”
It was on Tuesday that Cato got into a disagreement with receiver Kenny Stafford. Cato was removed from the field by special teams co-ordinator Kavis Reed, but when Cato returned he shouted at Duron Carter before shoving the team’s leading receiver. Last week, Cato and Carter got into another spat during practice.
On Wednesday, Carter maintained he respects Cato and has complete faith in the second-year pro, but reiterated the Als haven’t improved as a team since the trade of Glenn. “We lost a quarterback. It’s not helping our team,” Carter said.
“I don’t see that fourth-round pick running around. There’s no way we can say we’re better without Kevin.”
Cato, 24, admitted he mishandled the situation Tuesday, saying it should have remained private. But he also said he hasn’t addressed the incident with Stafford or Carter.
“We don’t have to like each other, but we have to respect each other,” Cato said.
While Cato said he would remain after practice any time to put in extra work with the receivers or watch film with them back at Olympic Stadium, he made it clear they won’t be socializing in the future.
“Those guys are OK humans. They’re all right,” he said. “It’s bigger than me and them. It’s about the Alouettes. Until we can all get on one page ... it’s a respect factor. Everybody has to buy in. No one man can be bigger than the program.”
When Cato was in the midst of Tuesday’s emotional outburst and complained about a lack of respect, he alluded to the Als’ record and intimated they’d lose again this week unless things drastically change.
“If one guy thinks he’s bigger than the program, you’re going to see the results we’re having now,” he said.
Nobody has specifically said what led to the arguments and it’s clear none of the central parties — or anyone in management — will. But Cato was raised in the Liberty City section of Miami, one of the city’s poorest and most violent areas. Cato slurs his speech, talks quickly and can be difficult to understand at times. A team source said some players are bullying him over his upbringing and communication skills.
General manager and head coach Jim Popp, doing his best to play down the apparent rift, said it has been addressed and settled. But he also made that same statement last week after tempers flared.