Experienced and prepared, the Alouettes began their season in Calgary

Credit where credit must be paid, the position of the quarterback. Head coach Khari Jones confirmed Vernon Adams Jr. this week to start the season Thursday against the Stampeders in Calgary. If the starter’s identity doesn’t come as a surprise, his role could change if his sliding continues at the start of the campaign.

The 29-year-old veteran of five seasons on the Canadian circuit has proven once that he has what it takes to be a quality center. His lack of regularity, however, is why he is not given this label.

His last two -part campaign came to an abrupt end after 8 of 14 games with a left shoulder injury. In the weeks before his arrival at the infirmary, Adams was in the trough with seven interceptions in four games.

Doubts about him were certainly not dispelled when he returned to action on Friday in the second duel preparation.

After two productive streaks, an Adams touchdown and a field goal, the Alouettes ’offensive point guard lost strength by committing three steals in consecutive series, before giving way to Trevor Harris.

Not the expected scenario to start the season with confidence.

Honestly, I think the competition is good for all positions. It pushes us to be better. When we feel that someone is trying to compete for our area, we definitely pay more attention to detail.said offensive lineman Kristian Matte.

However, the competition is not rife with controversy within the group of quarterbacks. Word from assistant coach André Bolduc.

We don’t have to talk about it, we don’t have to deal with it. Trevor is very positive, he wants to help everyone, he helps young receivers, he helps Vernon Adams. There is a very, very beautiful complicity between the two until nowassuring the instructor of running back, his second hat.

Unlike previous years, the quarterbacks where the Alouettes can rely on some experience options, especially with the return of Harris. Released shortly after the Gray Cup, he returned to Montreal as an insurance policy, in case Adams had trouble recovering the collar. Dominique Davies completed three.

Harris originally joined the Sparrows in mid -October in a trade deal to make up for the loss of Adams, who was dismissed from the action. Several months, therefore, that he was a member of the organization.

Soon, but enough to appreciate his contribution and his presence. Many teammates and instructors also praised his qualities as a leader and his professionalism, two elements that reflect the entire workforce.

I think we are better prepared, we have a lot of veterans, we saw the mistakes we made last year and also in 2019. We have very good leadership, with Trevor Harris for the quarterbacks, Vernon Adams, the receivers are all veterans, on we are also the offensive line, also on defense, the coaches have a lot of experience. We’re not more serious, but I think there’s a little bit of attention to detail nowmentioned Kristian Matte, who will play in the 150th game of his career against the Stampeders.

Trevor Harris was definitely with us at the beginning of camp, he brings maturity to the quarters room, he shares his experience. Our offensive line is mature, we will not hide. They are all men who make no mistakes, ever. We are really solid at this leveladded André Bolduc.

William Stanback, leading the Montreal attack

A favorable performance from the offensive unit can be closely attributed to the performances of William Stanback, the most coveted and productive running back in the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 2021. He remains undoubtedly the ‘offensive’ foundation.

” He gives us an advantage in the way he runs with the ball, in addition to giving me more possibilities to open the playbook. It may be in our favor, it is an effective weapon to have. “

Falling into battle at the start of training camp, which was cut short by four days of players ’strikes, Stanback missed even the slightest repetition during the preseason. He has recovered from his minor ankle injury, however, and will return to the backfield for the opening kickoff.

Stanback will be backed by Jeshrun Antwi, who is currently the only running back on the roster. Reinforcements are expected to arrive soon.

The main targets available to Adams will be the same, in this case Eugene Lewis and Jake Wieneke, authors of 80% of touchdowns through the air (20 of 25) last year. The duo have largely imposed themselves in terms of aerial yards.

Released at the end of training camp, Quan Bray left the nest, as did BJ Cunningham, who was hired and cut by the Ottawa Redblacks.

Conversely, Hergy Mayala arrived in the Quebec metropolis with two seasons of experience in his backpack, the first full of promise in 2019, but a second harder in 2021, with Stampeders, Entry Birds ’game rival, note.

The group of receivers who will start the campaign will consist of Kaion Julien-Grant and Reggie White Jr., while Régis Cibasu, back in the position he played with the Carabins of the University of Montreal, and Tyson Philpot will complete the ‘equation.

Marc-Antoine Dequoy, patroller of the tertiary sector

The defensive front has been struggling against trenches attacks over the past season. Increased pressure on enemy quarterbacks resulted, resulting in a CFL-high 49 sacks.

But more than half of this harvest has had to be replaced, among other things due to the departure of Woody Barron, Jamal Davis, Patrick Levels and David Ménard, leader with eight sacks.

Other quarterback chasers will definitely have to step in to keep the battalion in the elite of the Ambrosie circuit. Winger Nick Usher, tackle Almondo Sewell and linebacker Chris Ackie are prime candidates for that goal.

We will try to reproduce what we are doing. We have a few elements back, but not all of them, and we really like our defensive line. These people have proven that they can mess up quarterbacks in a few different ways. I add our linebackers to the equation because they have been important in putting pressure. Hopefully it will still be a strength for ussaid Khari Jones.

In addition to leading the league in sacks, the Montreal defense had 17 interceptions, a mark that gave it first place along with three other teams. The bar is high to reissue everything in one case as in another.

In his second professional season, Marc-Antoine Dequoy joined the high school starters as a safety. A position that fits his ability, according to the former cornerback.

” One of the things the pirate had to do was conquer a lot of land, it was last support. This is the greatest strength in my game. You also need to communicate, see the games before they arrive and convey the information to the players. After that, whatever the position, I was comfortable with each of them. “

An enhanced division

The Alouettes ’last season ended in losing to Hamilton in the playoffs. Ultimate Gray Cup finalists, the Tiger-Cats are again this year one of the big names in the CFL.

But they are not alone with big ambitions. The Toronto Argonauts have completely filled their ranks this offseason, while the Ottawa Redblacks could only be better with the dramatic addition of quarterback Jeremiah Masoli.

We feel the Division will be stronger this year. Every year the teams have something different. We can’t decide right away, we’ll look at it in weeks. We don’t have many new players here, but I’m very happy with the ones we have. We don’t think about other teamssaid Kristian Matte.

With two doubleheaders in October against division rivals to end the season, first the Rouge et Noir, then the Argonauts, after the clash with the Tiger-Cats earlier, it’s a safe bet that destiny Alouettes will play in the last third of the schedule.

(With information from Jean St-Onge)