Devine gets reprieve, but Alouettes cut Kuale
Noel Devine has bought himself some time with the Montreal Alouettes after one of the worst performances of his professional career.
But the hourglass has run out on veteran rush end Ejiro Kuale, one of the team’s freeagent signings last winter. Kuale, who won a Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts last season, has been released by the Als, his final game with Montreal coming last Thursday against his former team.
The Als returned to work for an abbreviated practice Sunday afternoon at Stade Hébert, in what was an eventful day, full of news.
Devine was on the sidelines, a brace on his left knee. But both quarterback Anthony Calvillo and injured running back Brandon Whitaker were absent, the Als having changed their schedule at the last minute, according to GM and head coach Jim Popp.
Both Calvillo and Whitaker, working off the old schedule, had family commitments, Popp said, and were excused.
As for Devine, speculation was rampant he had played himself off the team after fumbling three times — including the game’s opening kickoff — against the Argonauts. He limped off the field in the fourth quarter, after fumbling a punt and was taken to hospital.
Although the tests proved negative, Popp said, Devine told journalists on Sunday he’s suffering from a sprain to his medial collateral ligament, along with an ankle sprain. He said he expects to be sidelined between three and four weeks.
Injured players can’t be released. What happens to Devine once he’s medically cleared remains to be determined, although Popp always has been high on the former West Virginia Mountaineer and wanted to see him utilized more last season, under former head coach Marc Trestman.
Nonetheless, Devine has already committed six turnovers this season.
“It was a nightmare,” Devine said of Thursday’s game. “I’m disappointed in my performance, disappointed in myself for letting my teammates down that game. I have to minimize my mistakes and focus on ball security.
“We can’t turn the ball over,” he added. “Once you make one mistake it’s kind of hard to get out of that boat, that bad vibe and position.”
Although Devine completed his collegiate career with 4,315 rushing yards, scoring 29 touchdowns, he also displayed a penchant for fumbling the ball there as well, he admitted.
The f ive- foot- eight, 180-pound speedster refused to speculate on his future, but admitted: “I’m very thankful to still be here.”
Devine also refused to admit his turnovers cost the Als a win, although the first two fumbles quickly resulted in Toronto TDs. The third turnover resulted in a field goal.
“I believe I started the team out on a bad note,” Devine said.
Devine will be replaced by rookie Tyron Carrier, at least for Saturday’s game at Saskatchewan. Carrier played collegiately at Houston, where he gained a reputation for standout play on special teams. The five-foot-eight, 170 pounder tied the NCAA record for career kickoff-return touchdowns, with seven.
In the regular-season opener, at Winnipeg, Carrier returned six punts for 103 yards, including one for a 78-yard TD. But he suffered a strained shoulder in the game and hasn’t played since, making it to the 46-man roster but not among the 42 dressing for games.
Carrier said he was healthy enough to play in the third game, against Calgary. He said every returner can empathize with Devine.
“It’s a tough deal. We’re put in a position where we have to make plays,” Carrier said. “Sometimes, as returners, we feel like we’re pressed to make those plays. You get a little anxious and lackadaisical, take your eyes off the ball and those things happen.”
As for Kuale, he simply might have been cast in the wrong role. He frequently played linebacker at Toronto and, although the Argos occasionally had him rushing off the edge, he failed to record a quarterback sack.