Montreal Alouettes Thread

**Argo57** · 02-08-2017, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by gilthethrill

Is this the same Raheem Cato that lit up the Argos on a Sunday afternoon in October? How did he get cut ahead of Crompton?

Lighting up the Argo D from last season no big deal TBH.

**Will** · 02-09-2017, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by gilthethrill

Is this the same Raheem Cato that lit up the Argos on a Sunday afternoon in October? How did he get cut ahead of Crompton?

Off-field issues.

**jerrym** · 02-10-2017, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by Argofans.com

Off-field issues.

You're partially correct as the following article notes. Reed just didn't want to bad-mouth the player's character as he cut him, IMO.

If Rakeem Cato drew the short straw Monday evening, when his release from the crowded Alouettes’ quarterback picture was announced, it was the troubled 24-year-old who might have actually planted the seeds of his demise months earlier.
Cato, you might remember, was in the middle of two public practice disagreements involving former Montreal receivers Kenny Stafford and Duron Carter. Cato temporarily left the practice field in St-Léonard on the second occasion before being cajoled into returning by Kavis Reed, then the Als’ special teams coordinator and now Montreal’s new general manager.
There was another incident — at Tim Hortons Field in mid-September the day before a game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats — in which Cato publicly rebuked a Montreal journalist who asked what was regarded as an innocent, yet pertinent, personal question. It occurred in front of media members and in plain sight of Anthony Calvillo, pro football’s career passing leader and the Als’ offensive coordinator at the time.
We can only wonder what went through Calvillo’s mind at that moment. But it surely might have been: Does Cato possess the mental fortitude to be a team’s franchise quarterback?
“We feel Rakeem has a lot of talent. The young man did a very good job while he was here,” Reed told the Montreal Gazette. “Everyone in the locker room, minus the little incidents with a couple of guys, everyone respects and loved Rakeem. He has a very engaging personality.

“That (the disputes) was not a factor,” added Reed, who attempted unsuccessfully to trade Cato prior to his release. “If he were Tom Brady and we were winning Grey Cups, people would be more shocked. For a team that hasn’t had a winning record in a number of years, it shouldn’t be that much of a shock.”

http://montrealgazette.com/sports/fo...ure-into-focus

**jerrym** · 02-10-2017, 08:42 PM

At the same time that they released Cato the Als also released Internationals OL Michael Bamiro and QB Shane Carden.

http://en.montrealalouettes.com/alouettes-transactions/

**jerrym** · 02-10-2017, 08:53 PM

Montreal has added 9 year veteran DT Keith Shologan from the Bombers, giving them a valuable National starter.

“We are very happy to add a player of Keith’s caliber to our defensive squad,” said Alouettes General Manager Kavis Reed. “We have acquired a Canadian player which will give us even more flexibility with our ratio, all while disrupting opposing offensive lines.”
The Spruce Grove, AB native played 140 career-games in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Ottawa REDBLACKS and Bombers, amassing 204 defensive tackles, including 25 quarterback sacks, while recovering six fumbles. He helped the Roughriders, who drafted him in the first round (fourth overall) in 2008, win the Grey Cup in 2013.
The former Central Florida University Knight also played in the 2009 and 2010 Grey Cup games with the Riders, both won by the Alouettes. He was named the Most Outstanding Canadian in the 2010 game. He also helped the REDBLACKS reach the Grey Cup game in only their second year in 2015.

http://en.montrealalouettes.com/2017...eith-shologan/

**jerrym** · 02-10-2017, 08:56 PM

he Montreal Alouettes announced on Thursday that the club added four defensive players to the roster, including international linebacker and former USC Trojan Anthony W. Sarao. The team also added international cornerback CJ Moore, as well as national defensive back Kwame Adjei and national linebacker Christopher Johnson. The first three players signed two-year deals with the club, while Johnson put his name at the bottom of a three-year contract.
Sarao (5’11”, 233 lbs.) was most recently a member of the Indianapolis Colts. The Atlantic City, NJ native lands in Montreal following a brilliant collegiate career with the USC Trojans, where he played 54 games, while starting 34 of them. The dynamic 23-year-old athlete cumulated an impressive total of 217 tackles, including 12.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks during his four seasons with the Trojans. He added a forced fumble and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a major. He was the team captain for USC during his final year in 2015.
Moore (6’2″, 200 lbs.) suited up for four years at North Carolina Central University, starting 33 out of the 47 games he played for the Eagles. Moore, 23, racked up a stunning total of 301 tackles, 21 of them for loss as well as five interceptions. His speed and poise allowed him to add three forced fumbles, while blocking three kicks during his time at North Carolina Central. The Raleigh, NC native earned All-MEAC first team honours in 2015. He took part in the Alouettes training camp last summer.
Adjei (6’0″, 205 lbs.) was drafted by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the fifth round (42nd overall) in the CFL Canadian Draft of 2015. The Brampton, ON native, played his collegiate career at Mount Allison, where he recorded 176 tackles as well as 6.5 sacks, while intercepting eight passes during his five seasons with the Mounties. His addition allows the club to add Canadian talent to an already deep defensive back core.
Johnson (5’10”, 220 lbs.) arrives in Montreal after spending time on the Calgary Stampeders practice roster. The 25-year-old linebacker was selected in the fifth round (44th overall) by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 2014 CFL Canadian Draft. He suited up for two regular season games with the Ti-Cats. The 25-year-old athlete played his collegiate career with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. Johnson registered 89 defensive tackles and 5.5 quarterback sacks in 31 games with the U of T. He added one forced fumble and returned an interception 88 yards.

http://en.montrealalouettes.com/2017...th-on-defence/

**jerrym** · 02-10-2017, 09:03 PM

DE Gabriel Knapton has signed a two year extension with the Als, further strengthening their DL.

The Montreal Alouettes and defensive end Gabriel Knapton have agreed on a new two-year pact, the team announced Friday.
The six-foot-three, 263-pound defensive end is one of the best at his position in the Canadian Football League. In 51 games over three seasons with the Alouettes, Knapton managed 137 tackles, including 29 sacks. The 27-year-old also caused two fumbles.
Last year, Knapton finished seventh in the CFL – just behind teammate John Bowman – with nine sacks. He finished the season with 49 tackles.

http://montrealgazette.com/sports/football/cfl/montreal-alouettes/alouettes-sign-defensive-end-gabriel-knapton-to-two-year-contract

**jerrym** · 02-10-2017, 09:11 PM

Despite speculation that the Riders might go after Cato, Rod Pedersen claims they have no interest in him, especially after how he got along with recent Rider signee Duron Carter.

If the Als release Cato Do the Riders go after him?

heard a few rumblings that Cato might be shaking loose real soon... A Cato/Carter reunion in the works?

http://www.riderfans.com/forum/showt...s-go-after-him

Perhaps not surprisingly, the Saskatchewan Roughriders said Monday afternoon they have no interest in pursuing the Marshall product. The Riders signed Duron Carter last month.

The 24-year-old Cato played 22 games over two seasons in Montreal. He completed 291 of 432 passes for 3,570 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

http://www.rodpedersen.com/2017/02/a...iders-not.html

**jerrym** · 02-11-2017, 02:34 PM

The Als appear to be close to a deal with Boris Bede.

The Montreal Alouettes are interested in retaining kicker Boris Bede.
According to TSN’s Senior Correspondent Gary Lawless, talks between the Als and the 27-year-old native of Toulon, France are ongoing and that there is “optimism for a deal.”

http://www.tsn.ca/alouettes-optimist...-bede-1.669432

**jerrym** · 02-11-2017, 02:36 PM

hearing talks between @MTLAlouettes and LB Kyries Hebert moving in a positive direction. Optimism deal can be reached before FA #cfl @cfl
— gary lawless (@garylawless) February 11, 2017

**jerrym** · 02-11-2017, 10:19 PM

Kavis Reed on Gabriel Knapton's contract extension #IsItJuneYet #AlsMTL pic.twitter.com/4U3gexjEcz
— #AlsMTL (@MTLAlouettes) February 10, 2017

**jerrym** · 02-13-2017, 02:08 PM

Gary Lawless suggests that Jovon Johnson's tweet suggests he is planning on leaving the Als.

Montreal it's been a great year! The city has been nothing less than amazing, but with two days to go I just want to say THANK YOU! #Deuce
— Jovon Johnson (@Mr_Consistent_2) February 12, 2017

**jerrym** · 02-13-2017, 05:38 PM

With the the trade for Plesius and the potential loss of free agency players, such as safety Marc-Olivier Brouillette, DB Jovon Johnson, LBs Kyries Hebert and Winston Venable, and DE Aaron Lavarias, the Alouettes defence could look quite different in 2017.

By Tuesday evening, when he goes out for his 31st birthday dinner celebration, Brouillette could be a member of another CFL team. CFL free agency begins Tuesday at noon and, as of Sunday afternoon, Brouillette was one of many Montreal starters, especially on defence, who remained unsigned. Indeed, the Als’ defence — long considered the team’s strength — could have a distinctly different look should new general manager Kavis Reed fail to sign tackle Alan-Michael Cash, end Aaron Lavarias, defensive back Jovon Johnson, and linebackers Winston Venable and Kyries Hebert.
“I’m not that type of guy. I’m not going to fight it out in public,” Brouillette said. “The reality is I’m an Alouette until Tuesday. There’s a distinction between what we do in the community and what’s going on as far as contract talks. It didn’t cross my mind not to (represent the team last week). “I hope to remain with the Alouettes,” added Brouillette, echoing a popular refrain among most potential free agents.

The Als made one move on Sunday, trading non-import linebacker Nic Shortill to Hamilton for Frédéric Plesius, another Canadian linebacker. Both primarily are used on special teams and both are heading into the final year of their contracts. But Shortill, at 24, is five years younger and considerably cheaper. Plesius arrives with a $110,000 contract, considered rich for a non-starter.
Brouillette earned $140,000 last season. That might be too rich for the Als, although other starting Canadian safeties throughout the league generally earn between $145,000 and $165,000.
There’s also another dynamic at work here. Venable, who earned $200,000 last season, almost certainly won’t return to the Als — at least not at that price. Should Venable, an import who plays on the weak-side depart, he’ll almost certainly be replaced by a Canadian. One option would be to move Brouillette to linebacker while playing an import at safety. The coaching staff might be considering moving Venable to safety, but there’s no way he returns to Montreal without taking a drastic pay reduction, especially considering they could play a rookie there and pay him close to the $53,000 minimum salary — someone like C.J. Moore, who was re-signed last week after attending the Als’ training camp last summer.
Cash, perhaps the league’s most under-rated defensive tackle, was a steal last season at $85,000. Cash, who has spent five seasons with Montreal, had 25 tackles, two quarterback sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries while forcing a fumble and knocking down three passes.
Cash almost certainly will want six figures and, arguably, has merited the increase. If he doesn’t receive it from the Als, he won’t last long on the open market. “We’re trying to get some paperwork done and make this thing happen,” Cash said from his winter home in Richmond, Va. “We’re close, but not exactly where we want to be at. I’m thinking within the next day we’ll have something. We’re going to come up with a good number. I’m optimistic and pretty sure. I just want to get what I deserve.”
Hebert’s another player who presents Reed with a potential dilemma. Although he’s 36, the 6-foot-3, 220 pounder provides the Als will an aggressive attitude and mean streak every team covets. He plays on the edge and brings a dimension that might be hard to replace. “I show up and make plays. I do it on a consistent basis. I think they know my worth and appreciate my worth,” said the native of Louisiana who now makes Montreal his year-round home. “I performed at a high level. It would make no sense for me to take a decrease in pay. I had a career-high in tackles. You get what you pay for. Good luck finding another player that’s going to play defensive-end, middle-linebacker, weak-side linebacker and safety every game.”
Hebert, it seems, is in an annual dogfight to make the team and is told he’ll have a limited role on defence. Although he earned about $110,000 in 2016, his contract was, nonetheless, restructured. He was third on the team in defensive tackles, with 78, while recovering three fumbles and forcing two others. Hebert had two sacks. “We’re closer today than we were yesterday. But you’re talking 48 hours before Valentine’s Day. That’s the time that the dating can start,” Hebert said. “We have a courtship going on now. We have until Tuesday to put a ring on it. If not, there will be other suitors. I’m going to be loyal, probably to a fault. I’ll do my part to be here,” he added. “But it’s a courtship. It doesn’t matter how much I love you. If you don’t love me back, we can’t be together.”

http://montrealgazette.com/sports/fo...uettes-defence

**jerrym** · 02-13-2017, 05:43 PM

Ky nicknamed ''The Angry Bird'' is back! The #AlsMTL have signed number 34 @kyhebert to a new two-year deal. #IsItJuneYet pic.twitter.com/KGn7QMndRq
— #AlsMTL (@MTLAlouettes) February 13, 2017

**jerrym** · 02-14-2017, 11:20 AM

Expect @MTLAlouettes to sign kicker Boris Bede and DL Michael Klassen before free agency Bell rings at noon et @cfl #cfl
— gary lawless (@garylawless) February 14, 2017

**jerrym** · 02-14-2017, 11:22 AM

Hearing Winston Venable and Alan-Michael Cash won't re-sign with @MTLAlouettes and will test the market @cfl #cfl
— gary lawless (@garylawless) February 14, 2017

**jerrym** · 02-14-2017, 11:49 AM

Nationals LB Nicholas Boulay and ST/R Kyle Graves have signed two year extensions with the Als.

Boulay has established himself as an effective and hard-nosed player in the CFL since his debuts with the team in 2013. The 6-foot 200-pounder was a fourth round (30^th total) selection by the Alouettes in the 2013 Canadian CFL draft. He has shown constant progression over the years, fulfilling the many roles he was entrusted by its coaches. He suited up for all 18 games last season, recording 21 special teams tackles, good for third place in the CFL and only two tackles behind new teammate Frédéric Plesius.
“He is a solid player with a real understanding of the game. Nicolas is always willing to do what is needed to have success”, said Alouettes General Manager Kavis Reed. “He is a relentless hard worker on and off the field representing the Alouettes”, added Reed.
The Magog, Qc native played 70 games during his four years with the club and he registered 28 defensive tackles and 51 special teams tackles. The former product of the Université de Sherbrooke Vert & Or is also heavily involved in the Alouettes community initiatives, he who partakes in the Together at School program since day. He also helps to put smiles on kids faces during hospital visits as well as helping out with the annual blood drive and the Alouettes Junior Camps.
The Alouettes also announced on Monday that national receiver Kyle Graves agreed to a two-year contract extension with the club.

Graves has quickly become an important member of the Alouettes’ roster by showing great versatility since joining the Alouettes in 2012 and by playing a valuable role on special teams as the kick holder as well as on punts when asked to kick. The Barrie, ON native will start his fifth season in the CFL, all of them with Montreal. The 27-year-old athlete played a total of 34 regular season games in his career, including all 18 matchups last year. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder also suited up for three playoff games in career.

http://www.cfl.ca/2017/02/13/angry-b...ck-als/#Boulay

**jerrym** · 02-14-2017, 12:29 PM

Expect @MTLAlouettes to sign kicker Boris Bede and DL Michael Klassen before free agency Bell rings at noon et @cfl #cfl
— gary lawless (@garylawless) February 14, 2017