As Als open training camp, offence a work in progress
A year ago at this time, as the Alouettes prepared for training camp, there was reason for optimism. While a 9-9 record traditionally is below the franchise’s standards, the team won eight of its final 10 games, including a six-game undefeated streak, and reached the East Division final.
With Tom Higgins settling nicely into his second season as head coach, and Jonathan Crompton having emerged as the starting quarterback, the pieces appeared in place to at least be competitive.
How the landscape has changed since then, as the Canadian Football League team prepares for its first pair of training-camp workouts Sunday afternoon at Bishop’s University in Lennoxville.
This is the first time in franchise history, the argument can be made, that this team has nowhere to go but up following a 6-12 record. Montreal finished last in the division and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since returning to the league in 1996.
General manager Jim Popp — who replaced Higgins after five games last season and returns as head coach — would argue the pieces are in place and the team is not rebuilding. But things have to change, and perhaps the time has come for the franchise to adopt a new mindset. In short, there are no banners for finishing last.
Popp and his assistants have to get it right coming out of camp; the future of this franchise may well hinge on their personnel decisions. Montreal is a city that generally doesn’t tolerate mediocrity from its sports teams — and with season-ticket sales having dropped to slightly more than 11,000, combined with the coming construction chaos motorists will face this summer, fans might be seeking the smallest excuse not to trek up the mountain to Molson Stadium.
So, without further adieu, here are a few questions heading into camp following the longest offseason in team history:
The quarterback situation might have been resolved, but it nonetheless remains unsettled. Kevin Glenn, who turns 36 on June 12, provides the Als with stability at the position for the first time since 2013, when Anthony Calvillo was concussed and played his final game.
For all the numbers Glenn has produced during 15 seasons, the one that stands out is no Grey Cup victories. In his one start in 2012 for Calgary, he produced pedestrian numbers as the favoured Stampeders lost to Toronto at the Rogers Centre.
Glenn might be the epitome of a 9-9 quarterback — he will undoubtedly win some games but might also cost his team. The Als might be content with 9-9, but what happens if he’s injured?
What will the Als do at the all import left offensive-tackle position following the departure of Josh Bourke to Toronto as a free agent? The line has been an area of little, if any, concern over the years. But perhaps no longer.
While the Als undoubtedly would like to retain an all-Canadian line, the addition of nonimport defensive-tackle Vaughn Martin allows them the luxury of starting an import, if necessary. If not, many potential scenarios exist. They could start the inexperienced Jacob Ruby, move Phillip Blake there from right guard or shift right-tackle Jeff Perrett over, creating a domino effect.
It shouldn’t be forgotten that centre Luc Brodeur-Jourdain, recovering from knee surgery, won’t start the year. He’ll be replaced by 10-year veteran Dominic Picard, but the team’s looking at new bodies at two positions.
Can these coaches all get along? Defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe wanted to bolt to Edmonton, but was rebuffed by CFL commissioner Jeffrey Orridge. He’s not happy.
Perhaps special teams coordinator Kavis Reed wanted to depart as well, so Popp made him an assistant head coach — a title Thorpe also holds. And how difficult will it be for Jacques Chapdelaine, the receivers coach and special adviser to offensive coordinator Calvillo, to take orders from a guy who lacks experience but is probably being groomed to become the Als’ head coach?
There are egos at stake, along with professional advancement.
Will a big-money player be released? The Als have about $500,000 invested in two receivers, Duron Carter and S.J. Green. And the CFL salary cap this season is $5.1 million.
While the argument can be made the cap doesn’t exist at the end of May, Popp has been busy the last few months “restructuring ” contracts. It began last winter with Green, Bear Woods and Chip Cox, but undoubtedly didn’t end there. Linebacker Kyries Hebert was asked, and probably obliged. Fellow linebacker Nicolas Boulay was asked, and has adamantly refused.
Hebert appears to be in a fight to keep his job — as he was a year ago when a training-camp injury might have provided him with another opportunity.
And with the Als loaded at receiver — Green, Carter, the return of Kenny Stafford, Samuel Giguère, B.J. Cunningham, Nik Lewis and Cody Hoffman — we wonder whether all can be retained? Or will some of them find their way onto the injured list?
How will camp be different under Popp? The first evidence comes Sunday, when the team doesn’t hit the field until 2 p.m., instead of the customary 7:50 a.m. bleary-eyed practice in past years. Indeed, the team won’t begin work before 8:30 a.m. and, upon the urging of Reed, will conduct more walk-throughs.
The veterans will love it, but will the team be prepared when the regular-season begins?