What's going on in Montreal?

[ArgoRavi]

WOW....Tom Higgins was an average coach at best during his tenure with the Eskimo's, and this looks like a "hold the fort" move for the Al's.

I would put Higgins into the "above average" category as a head coach. He did coach the Esks to the Grey Cup game in both '02 and '03 with a win in the second year. He also took over a mess in Calgary in '05 and coached a team that was consistently good during his three years there although they did slip slightly in '07. Montreal could do worse - and did a year ago - for a head coach.

[argonaut11xx]

I would put Higgins into the "above average" category as a head coach. He did coach the Esks to the Grey Cup game in both '02 and '03 with a win in the second year. He also took over a mess in Calgary in '05 and coached a team that was consistently good during his three years there although they did slip slightly in '07. Montreal could do worse - and did a year ago - for a head coach.

Cant argue with the stats, however i always found him "uninspiring", which is what you get when a referee is a coach, or vice versa.

I want the MTL franchise to flourish, it should be able to sell out every game, as it did in the 20,002 seat stadium for many many years, it was only upped about 5000 seats, and sadly it hasnt been sold out.

(a crowd, attracts a crowd, especially in MTL)

[Argo57]

Cant argue with the stats, however i always found him "uninspiring", which is what you get when a referee is a coach, or vice versa.

I want the MTL franchise to flourish, it should be able to sell out every game, as it did in the 20,002 seat stadium for many many years, it was only upped about 5000 seats, and sadly it hasnt been sold out.

(a crowd, attracts a crowd, especially in MTL)

I think Higgins is a pretty solid hire with a proven track record unlike the Alouettes debacle of a hire last year.

[AngeloV]

Cant argue with the stats, however i always found him "uninspiring", which is what you get when a referee is a coach, or vice versa.

Uninspiring in what way? Have you ever seen him run practice or team meetings? I don't get how you can find him that way.

As for the referee thing, I don't believe Higgins was ever a referee. He's been a player, a coach and part of a management team and league director of officiating.

Looks like a very solid choice to me. I have a lot of respect for him. Very classy person.

[argonaut11xx]

Uninspiring in what way? Have you ever seen him run practice or team meetings? I don't get how you can find him that way.

As for the referee thing, I don't believe Higgins was ever a referee. He's been a player, a coach and part of a management team and league director of officiating.

Looks like a very solid choice to me. I have a lot of respect for him. Very classy person.

If i owned a team, i'd go with a "Don Matthews type", rather than the professor type...just my preference.

Was never a fan of Higgins as a coach, but never said he wasnt a "classy person".

In hindsite, going from Trestman to Higgins would have made more sense, as they seem to be cut from the same mold.

[Argo57]

Another pretty decent move today as the Alouettes obtain Larry Taylor from Calgary for draft picks.

[AngeloV]

If i owned a team, i'd go with a "Don Matthews type", rather than the professor type...just my preference.

Are there any "Don Matthews types" other than Don himself that have had any success as head coaches in the CFL? Don was a one of a kind. You won't find another like him, IMO. Guys like Buono, Hufnagel, Austin and Trestman have had plenty of success without the Don act.

[Argocister]

On a Dave Naylor tweet, he said it will be interesting to see the three of them work together .... Wetenhall, Popp and Higgins.

I am not up on any history here .... are they all strong headed? have they had conflicts before? .... I'm thinking the conflict he is expecting is Higgins and Popp

It will be interesting to see how the fanbase in Montreal holds out on a re-building team. There were quite a few fans I would run into that were waiting for AC to retire. ..... as in wanting it sooner than later. It will also be interesting to see when (and if) AC returns in the coaching dept.

[ArgoRavi]

On a Dave Naylor tweet, he said it will be interesting to see the three of them work together .... Wetenhall, Popp and Higgins.

I am not up on any history here .... are they all strong headed? have they had conflicts before? .... I'm thinking the conflict he is expecting is Higgins and Popp.

I think that they will work together fine because of Higgins' personality. He does not seem like the "strong-headed" type to me. I am not sure how well this situation would work with anyone other than Higgins but I do think he is the right guy for this situation.

[D-Gap-Willie]

I believe that Higgins may be just right for the Als. They have been dispalaying many signs of instability over the last few years. both on and off the field. Higgins may not be gung ho and inspirational, but he is as steady as a rock and well above average. Wettenhall may have made the right choice for a change - certainly better than the Lalonde and Hawkins decisions.

I can't wait for the first time Higgins throws his challenge flag !

[argonaut11xx]

"Popp has said Smith is the frontrunner, but Worman said the decision on the opening game starter will be made after camp and the team's two pre-season games. They also have former Winnipeg quarterback Alex Brink in the mix.
"Everyone's going to get lots of reps, so it's not important at this time to say who is and who isn't (the starter)," said Worman. "If that's what Jim wanted to say, that's fine, but it doesn't matter to me."

WOW....an assistant coach challenging the GM in public?.....is there a power struggle here already?

[ArgoRavi]

"Popp has said Smith is the frontrunner, but Worman said the decision on the opening game starter will be made after camp and the team's two pre-season games. They also have former Winnipeg quarterback Alex Brink in the mix.
"Everyone's going to get lots of reps, so it's not important at this time to say who is and who isn't (the starter)," said Worman. "If that's what Jim wanted to say, that's fine, but it doesn't matter to me."

WOW....an assistant coach challenging the GM in public?.....is there a power struggle here already?

LOL, that quote caught my eye as well. Worman has been a successful offensive coordinator in his two CFL stops but has not lasted long at either one of them. I suspect that he can be abrasive and difficult to get along with given his short tenures.

[paulwoods13]

There are reports that Popp has hired a lawyer, but he reportedly claimed he always does so when he's negotiating a new contract.

[OV Argo]

There are reports that Popp has hired a lawyer, but he reportedly claimed he always does so when he's negotiating a new contract.

IMO - Bobby Wetandall and the Als might be wise to cut ties with Popp - who IMO was ONCE a very good CFL GM (smart at drafting and bringing in good import talent), but lately not so much; he is clueless as a HC and if he is going to not get along with or else interfere with Higgins, that is not a good thing for the Als. Popp has maybe lost some CFL interest in his bent on securing an NFL gig over the past few years, and if he is not with the program in Montreal now = see ya pal, you had your CFL days and time to move on. Higgins i guess could hold the fort for now and surround himself with some good new coaches and football thinkers.

[294life]

Als have announced that Calvillo's number 13 will be retired next October 13 vs ssk while Marc Trestman will make his return to the cfl to be honored at the July 11 game against Winnipeg.

[AngeloV]

Als have announced that Calvillo's number 13 will be retired next October 13 vs ssk while Marc Trestman will make his return to the cfl to be honored at the July 11 game against Winnipeg.

Very nice. Both well deserving of any honours they receive.

[Argo57]

Als have announced that Calvillo's number 13 will be retired next October 13 vs ssk while Marc Trestman will make his return to the cfl to be honored at the July 11 game against Winnipeg.

Nice touch by the Alouettes.
Two class acts that deserve the honour!!!!

[argonaut11xx]

Uninspiring in what way? Have you ever seen him run practice or team meetings? I don't get how you can find him that way.

As for the referee thing, I don't believe Higgins was ever a referee. He's been a player, a coach and part of a management team and league director of officiating.

Looks like a very solid choice to me. I have a lot of respect for him. Very classy person.

WOW....once again Angelo V is 100% correct.....the results prove it

[AngeloV]

WOW....once again Angelo V is 100% correct.....the results prove it

Hey, I'm not too full of myself to admit I was wrong about Higgins. I generally like him as a person, so I guess I was pulling for him to do well.

[argonaut11xx]

Hey, I'm not too full of myself to admit I was wrong about Higgins. I generally like him as a person, so I guess I was pulling for him to do well.

I must admit, i wanted MTL to do well also....