Coaching change brings a spike in energy

If ever there was any doubt there’s a new sheriff in town, that a philosophical change has occurred around the Alouettes, it became obvious after Friday’s practice — when a fan was invited onto the field to address the team.

This no longer remains Jacques Chapdelaine’s club.

“We represent the province. A fan that’s very passionate about the team, and passed the story down, got the chance to express his voice. We want to represent the province and the city,” explained general manager Kavis Reed, the Als’ interim head coach since Chapdelaine’s firing on Wednesday.

Will any of this make a difference? The answers will start filtering through Sunday afternoon (1 p.m., TSN, RDS, TSN Radio-690), when the Alouettes entertain the Ottawa Redblacks.

Montreal (3-8) has lost four consecutive games, while the defending Grey Cup champions — not much better at 4-7-1 — will be missing injured starting quarterback Trevor Harris. He’ll be replaced by Drew Tate, the former Calgary Stampeder.

The Als won their first game last September under Chapdelaine, who replaced Jim Popp.

And Popp won his first game in 2015 after replacing Tom Higgins. In the grand scheme of things, it had little effect; Montreal missed the playoffs both seasons.

“This is the honeymoon phase,” Reed said.

“I’ve been in this league 22 years. Energy can happen in many different ways. It can spike and then it can deflate. Our job’s consistency. That’s critically important.”

Greg Quick has replaced defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe, while quarterbacks coach Anthony Calvillo becomes the offensive co-ordinator for the third time in three seasons.

The players, however, remain the same, although perhaps the schemes will gradually start to change.

Quarterback Darian Durant has expressed his desire to become more aggressive on offence, take more shots downfield and get Ernest Jackson, the East Division’s outstanding player in 2016, more involved.

“Our goal’s to stay on the field to keep the defence rested. And when the times present themselves, we take a shot,” Durant said.

“We’ve been working a lot on being able to make more plays, stay on the field and being a little more aggressive. You have to pick and choose your shots.

“There’s a ton of energy out there. The guys are excited. It’s unfortunate that change happened, but sometimes change is for the good. We understand where we are and what time of the year it is. If you can’t get up for the challenge we have in front of us, you don’t need to be here.”