Als still believe in playoff potential
Tied with B.C. and Winnipeg, they could still make it into post-season
The Alouettes never have lost more than 10 games in one season since returning to the Canadian Football League in 1996. Indeed, the franchise — which at one point made it to eight Grey Cups in 11 years — has had only two losing seasons.
But it appears Montreal’s about to set new standards for futility after Monday’s loss to the Toronto Argonauts. The Als have a 5-9 record with four games remaining and would have to go on an improbable four-game winning streak just to duplicate their 2014 mark of 9-9.
Only once this season have the Als won as many as two consecutive games — the final game of Tom Higgins’ coaching regime and their first under Jim Popp. That was back in late August, when all things still seemed possible, Montreal sitting at 4-5.
Not now, with the Als on a threegame losing streak and sinking.
“I saw a lot of positives today, but still the same negative — and that’s not getting it done on the scoreboard,” said receiver Nik Lewis, who caught seven passes for 51 yards. “I like the energy of the guys. We’re still working hard. Nobody’s taken off yet. Nobody’s saying they’ve got their flights booked for the last game. Everybody’s committed to winning.
“We showed we can play a tough game today. We’ve just got to finish.”
And start. The Als have failed to produce a first-quarter touchdown since Aug. 27, at Hamilton.
While Montreal won’t qualify for the playoffs in its own division, it remains in a three-way battle with British Columbia and Winnipeg for the league’s sixth and final playoff berth. All three teams have five victories. The Als would require at least one more victory than either of those clubs. The Als and Lions both have four games remaining; the Blue Bombers only three.
“I feel confident with the veterans that we have. If we get in the tournament (playoffs), I feel like we have enough veteran presence on this team that we can go on a roll and win games,” Lewis said. “It’s an uphill battle, but the fact is we still have a chance. We’re making it hard on ourselves, but we still have a chance.”
The Als are not a good offensive team and aren’t about to improve any time soon — especially since it seems virtually certain they’ll be missing starting quarterback Rakeem Cato, who was concussed against Toronto.
The defence deserved a better fate. After allowing a touchdown on the Argos’ opening possession, Montreal settled down — at least until the fourth quarter, when the visitors produced two scores, although one came following an interception thrown by Tanner Marsh.
Rush-end Gabriel Knapton had three of the Als’ four quarterback sacks. New middle linebacker Henoc Muamba intercepted a pass, while linebacker Winston Venable was all over the field, recording 11 tackles and one sack. He also knocked down a pass.
“We didn’t do enough on defence to get the job done. The offence didn’t do enough. To take a loss like that, it’s demoralizing,” Venable said. “It’s a tough situation we’re in right now.
“Realistically, if we can win the next four, we might have a chance for the playoffs. Until that completely goes away, our attitude’s still positive and still hopeful.”
Whether Marsh or rookie Anthony Boone starts against the Tiger-Cats, the Als will be forced, yet again, to play another quarterback. It has been a revolving door behind centre this season.
General manager and head coach Jim Popp still believes the Als’ offence would function better with one quarterback — although they’ve all struggled.
“Every time a new quarterback comes in, the cadence is different, the play-calling, getting it off, the quickness of getting the play off changes and it disrupts,” he said. “It’s tough when you’re constantly changing quarterbacks and the ones that end up playing half the game aren’t the ones taking the reps in practice. Your playbook shrinks, real quick.
“But we have a bunch of fighters and we’re still in this thing. We have every chance to get in the playoffs. We have to win some games. We’re not making it easy on ourselves — no question.”
It’s an uphill battle, but the fact is we still have a chance. We’re making it hard on ourselves, but we still have a chance.