Defence intact, but receiving corps has three new faces
As the start of a new Canadian Football League season approaches, many are wondering whether the real Alouettes are the team that started 1-7 or the one that finished 8-2?
Perhaps, given the fact the team has aged somewhat over the winter, combined with the uncertainty surrounding starting quarterback — for now— Jonathan Crompton, the answer might lie somewhere in between.
But it’s spring, and optimism reigns supreme. Every team’s a winner, until it loses a game, and all things appear possible.
“A lot of talk has come up about different aspects of our team, but we feel very, very good on paper. I’m very happy with where we’re at on paper. We just have to go out there, put it together, have some luck, stay healthy and I think we’ll be extremely competitive in our division,” general manager Jim Popp said Tuesday, during a CFL-mandated conference call. “We just have to play better at the right time, but I feel great about it.”
The Als’ 9-9 record last season was good enough for second place in the East Division. Montreal obliterated British Columbia in the semifinal, but was denied a Grey Cup appearance — for the second consecutive season — by Hamilton. While the Als haven’t missed the playoffs since the franchise returned in 1996, Montreal hasn’t reached the championship game since 2010.
Training camp for veterans begins May 31 at Bishop’s University in Lennoxville.
While the Als’ defence — the team’s backbone — remains virtually intact, the receiving corps will have a different look with the acquisition of Fred Stamps in a trade along with the signings of Nik Lewis and Samuel Giguère as free agents. The team lost receiver Duron Carter to the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, while right guard Ryan Bomben was traded last week to the TigerCats for two draft picks.
Stamps is 33, while Lewis is 32.
“We’ve been developing guys for a long time. We have some young players in place. I definitely don’t think our team’s too old,” Popp said. “If guys can’t play anymore, they won’t be on the team. The youth’s there. It has been there. We have a program for developing guys. We’re just trying to find the best of the best.”
Crompton was signed as a free agent after his release by Edmonton. He assumed the starting role in late August, against Ottawa, with mixed results. While the Als started winning consistently, the team was propelled by its defence. Crompton passed for 2,482 yards in 11 games along with 11 touchdowns. He completed 58.1 per cent of his passes and was intercepted eight times. At times, he was inconsistent. And the offence averaged 20 points per game, ahead of only the expansion Redblacks.
Crompton enters camp as the starter, but knows Tanner Marsh, Dan LeFevour, former NFLer John Skelton and draft choice Brandon Bridge are waiting in the wings. LeFevour, signed as a free agent from the Ticats, is coming off knee surgery and might not be ready for the start of camp.
“He (Crompton) knows we brought in competition for him to be better. Let the competition unfold,” said head coach Tom Higgins, entering his second season with the team. "Jonathan’s always the No. 1 guy. At camp, everyone’s name’s in pencil.
“I truly believe we can pick up where we left off. We have a strong, solid foundation. Nobody panicked last season and the message never changed. We never altered our belief. We remained a unified locker room. We got fortunate and things started to fall into place. The athletes knew we trusted and believed in them. All of a sudden, it became reciprocal. That’s why the upcoming season’s exciting. You can build a more solid foundation by having a deep amount of adversity. It doesn’t get worse than that.”
Popp admitted he and the coaches had thorough talks during the team’s freefall about whether everything should be blown up, the rebuilding process starting immediately. But the organization has never been known for panicking or knee-jerk reactions. The team believed in the players Popp assembled; that was the bottom line. And owner Robert Wetenhall is a huge fan of Higgins.
Much will depend this season on the imagination of new offensive co-ordinator Turk Schonert, who joined the team last year as an offensive consultant and was quickly promoted to receivers coach. While Schonert has extensive NFL coaching experience, he remains a virtual CFL neophyte. Ryan Dinwiddie, who inherited the co-ordinator’s role when Rick Worman was fired early at camp, will coach the running backs and get the opportunity to develop as a coach. And all eyes will be on Anthony Calvillo, who makes his coaching debut, handling receivers.
The special teams should improve dramatically with the hiring of co-ordinator Kavis Reed, a former Eskimos head coach.
Notes: Popp said there’s nothing new to report on defensivelineman Michael Sam, whose negotiation rights the Als hold, or receiver Chad Johnson. It wouldn’t be surprising if the organization, quietly, has attempted to convince Johnson to retire. ... Popp could be close to signing defensive lineman Jesse Joseph, a third-round (21st overall) 2013 draft choice. ... With the departure of the Royal Victoria Hospital, more than 1,110 parking spaces will be available for home games at Molson Stadium.