Montreal Alouettes Thread

[jerrym]

WR BJ Cunningham has resigned with Montreal. He had only 345 receiving yards in 2019 as he played in only six games due to injury but had 1100+ yards in 2017.

[jerrym]

GM Danny Maciocia and President Mario Cecchini comment on how they see the off-season recruiting so far. At the management level they have also brought back Russ Lande as Director of US scouting, replacing Tom Gamble who went to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Lance had worked in scouting with the Als from 2013 to 2018 before heading to the Stampeders.

As CFL free agency quickly approaches (February 9), a good deal of the work has already been done to form a team as spectacular and competitive as the one we saw in 2019.

At offense, Vernon Adams Jr. restructured his contract to allow the organization to retain other big names like Eugene Lewis and Jake Wieneke and bring back big playmakers like William Stanback. The offensive line is also starting to look rather solid, with the return of Kristian Matte, Tony Washington, and Phillipe Gagnon, who’s stepping back in the nest after a season in Ottawa.

At defense, former NFL first-rounder Datone Jones will come to enhance the defensive line, alongside Antonio Simmons, who will be back for another year. Add to the mix Quebecers David Ménard and Junior Luke, and there’s no doubt that our opponent’s offense will struggle to get through our guys. Other big names were added to the defensive unit, including Greg Reid who repeatedly delivered impressive performances in 2019, and former Carabin Marc-Antoine Dequoy, who is hungrier than ever for his first season in the CFL.

We’re looking at a great deal of talent in this first edition of the 2021 team…A lot of local talent at that. So far, six big players from our province made the cut for the 2021 crew. It’s just the beginning, and it’s looking very promising.

https://en.montrealalouettes.com/202...esident-et-gm/

[jerrym]

The Als have signed two 2020 sixth round draft picks: Regina Ram U OL Andrew Becker and Concordia U Stingers LB Jersey Henry.

[jerrym]

Anthony Calvillo is back. Although things didn't work out for him as a coach for the Als or Argos, he worked with HC Danny Maciocia as assistant HC in 2019, helping them reach the Vanier Cup that year. He will now be a team ambassador, a job his legendary record as the Als QB and his pleasant personality should help him with.

[jerrym]

GM says the team's priority will be defence in free agency.

While the dynamics have drastically changed heading into CFL free agency, Alouettes general manager Danny Maciocia insists the team will be active. ...

“I’m still trying to get a feel for the market,” Maciocia said Tuesday during a video conference. “What other teams are doing. What are the player demands? What’s this new market we’re dealing with? Am I going to be able to fit a few of these players and get them under contract? Only time will tell. I’ll know in the next few days. I do anticipate being active. I just don’t know to what extent.”

Alouettes middle-linebacker Henoc Muamba was granted permission by Maciocia last week to begin those negotiations. Muamba, the league’s outstanding Canadian in 2019, is represented by his brother, Cauchy, following the death of his agent, Johnathon Hardaway, a U.S. lawyer. While it seems likely Muamba will be playing elsewhere, Maciocia said his relationship with the player remains solid. Maciocia’s only request was that he be apprised of all negotiations. ...

Maciocia said he won’t have $5.35 million at his disposal, but seemed uncertain what the budget will be. All contracts must be approved by co-owner Gary Stern and president Mario Cecchini.

While Maciocia was faced with a league-high 48 free agents — more than 20 he identified as priorities have re-signed — he had to restructure a number of existing contracts, most notably that of starting quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. “Clearly, we want to be able to field a competitive team, which we’ll be able to do,” Maciocia said. “This has been a little bit of a sales job with the existing players under contract. There had to be a buy-in. Some sacrifices had to be made. Most of them have stepped up and sacrificed.”

Maciocia said he will be concentrating his free agency efforts on defence, probably linemen and linebackers. Edmonton defensive-tackle Almondo Sewell took to social media on Tuesday, saying goodbye to Edmonton Football Team supporters. Also available are Micah Johnson (B.C.) and Cordarro Law, who was traded by Calgary to Toronto last week. Veteran linebackers expected on the market include Larry Dean (Hamilton) along with Saskatchewan’s Solomon Elimimian and Cameron Judge, who is a Montreal native.

Given Maciocia’s association with Université de Montréal, former Carabins players also can’t be overlooked. These include Toronto receiver Régis Cibasu and Edmonton fullback Alexandre Dupuis.

https://montrealgazette.com/sports/f...-maciocia-says

[jerrym]

Montreal has signed three Americans: DB Monshadrik Hunter; DB Jermaine Ponder and OL Donald Hawkins. Hunter has CFL expeirence with Edmonton while the other two were on the Als 2019 PR.

Hunter (6’1”, 193 lbs.) had a great season in 2019, as he finished third on the Edmonton Eskimos with 59 defensive tackles, while pilfering two passes and knocking down five other ones. The 25-year-old also registered a sack. The Prosper, TX native played 26 games in the CFL, amassing 85 defensive tackles, four interceptions, six knockdowns and one sack, on top of recovering a fumble. With the Arkansas State University Red Wolves, Hunter established a new Sun Belt Conference record, returning four interceptions for touchdowns. In 59 games at the collegiate level, he amassed 222 tackles, including 142 solo tackles, while intercepting six passes and registering one sack. He also defended 11 passes, forced two fumbles and recovered as many.

Ponder (6’2″, 200 lbs.) was named a second-team all-Northeast Conference after his senior season with the St. Francis University Red Flash in 2018. The Rochester, NY native led the conference all while setting a school record with 16 passes defended (15 pass breakups and one interception). In the same season, he collected five knockdowns and four tackles in a single game. In 2019, before being a membre of the Alouettes practice roster, he spent time with the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and the Houston Texans.

Hawkins (6’4″, 310 lbs.) saw action with the Dallas Cowboys and the Carolina Panthers. The 28-year-old offensive tackle from Memphis, TN also played in the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019. Hawkins first played college football for the Northwest Mississippi Community College Rangers. He was named a 2011 National Junior College Athletic Association First-Team All-American. He transferred to play for the Texas Longhorns, where he started 24 of 25 career games. He was a member of the Alouettes practice roster at the end of the 2019 season.

https://en.montrealalouettes.com/202...added-defence/

[jerrym]

The Als have released DE John Bowman, their all-time sack leader with 134. Age is finally catching up with him but he was not only a great player and a future Hall of Famer IMO but a great character guy.

[jerrym]

Former University of Montreal Canadian 6'8", 319 OL David Foucault, who the Als drafted fifth overall in 2014 but was traded to BC in 2017, has returned home to sign with Montreal. He had also played five games in the NFL with Carolina in 2014.

[jerrym]

Former Argo Chris Ackie, who signed with the team in 2020, has returned to the Als, giving them one of the best Canadian LBs in the CFL.

[jerrym]

Montreal has signed DL Almondo Sewell, who had been with Edmonton since 2011 until released by GM Brock Sunderland. They are also reportedly going to sign another former Eskimo, as well as Argo, Natey Adjei.

[OV Argo]

Maciocia sure loading up on Quebec talent for the Als - wow !

Looks like he is moving on from signing Henoc Muamba though - which is a big mistake IMO; and especially if their East rival Ticats get him.

[jerrym]

Maciocia sure loading up on Quebec talent for the Als - wow !

Looks like he is moving on from signing Henoc Muamba though - which is a big mistake IMO; and especially if their East rival Ticats get him.

Below is a look at some of the Quebec talent they have added including former Argo WR Regis Cibasu. They have really increased their Canadian depth.

LS Pierre Luc Caron (6’2″, 220 lbs.) spent four seasons with the Calgary Stampeders (2016-19) playing 71 games. The Laval, QC native was a fifth-round selection (42nd overall) by the Stampeders in the 2016 CFL Draft. The 27-year-old won the long snapper job as a rookie and played in all 18 regular-season contests in 2016 as well as in the Western Final and the Grey Cup. In 2018, he hoisted the Grey Cup. In 2015, he had 7.5 tackles and was a key part of the Université Laval Rouge et Or special teams, that led the Quebec conference in field goal percentage and was second in punting average.

LB Alexandre Chevrier (6’0″, 217 lbs.) played 18 regular-season games in 2019 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and registered 12 special teams tackles. The Pointe-Claire, QC native was selected by the Roughriders in the seventh round (55th total) of the 2017 CFL Draft. The 28-year-old spent five seasons with the University of Sherbrooke Vert et Or (2013-17) playing in 35 career collegiate games, registering 152 defensive tackles, six tackles for losses, four quarterback sacks and one interception.

WR Regis Cibasu (6’3″, 232 lbs.) played 16 games with the Toronto Argonauts in 2019. The 27-year-old was originally drafted by Toronto in the third round (20th total) of the 2018 CFL Draft. The Congo native played five years for the Université de Montréal Carabins (2014-2018), racking up 183 receptions for 2,231 yards and nine touchdowns over 38 career games. The receiver was a three-time RSEQ All-Star as well as the conference’s 2014 Rookie of the Year. He was voted the Vanier Cup MVP the same year after recording six catches for 90 yards in the championship game, helping Head Coach Danny Maciocia win a National Championship. He attended the Chicago Bears’ minicamp in 2018.

DB Kerfella-Emmamuel Exumé (6’0″, 197 lbs.) played all 18 games with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2019 before hoisting the Grey Cup later that fall. The 26-year-old made 25 special teams tackles. The Montreal, QC native was drafted by the Blue Bombers in the eighth round (70th total) of the 2019 CFL Draft after his college career with the Université de Montréal Carabins under Head Coach Danny Maciocia.

Jason Lauzon-Seguin (6’4″, 300 lbs.) played in two Grey Cups in his first three seasons in the CFL, winning it all as a rookie in 2016 with the Ottawa REDBLACKS. The Université Laval Rouge et Or product played seven games for the REDBLACKS in 2019 and has appeared in 54 CFL games since being drafted seventh overall by Ottawa in 2016. He was voted a CFL East Division All-Star in 2017.

https://en.montrealalouettes.com/202...layers-roster/

[jerrym]

DL Nick Usher, has signed with the Als, after two years with Edmonton, where he had 36 DTs, 6 sacks, and 3 FFs in 2019.

[jerrym]

The Als have added former Argo LB coach (2010-11 and 2018) Greg Quick as defensive and ST assistant coach. He had been CFL Director of Global Scouting Greg Quick just before taking this job.

[jerrym]

Montreal has added four more Americans to the roster: LB Kentrell Brothers; DB Reggie Floyd; K Matt Mengel; and RB Juwan Washington.

Brothers (6’1″, 242 lbs) was drafted in the fifth round (160th overall) by the Minnesota Vikings in 2016, playing 51 games with the NFL team, racking up 55 tackles, mainly on special teams. The 28-year-old Guthrie, OK native had previously played for the University of Missouri Tigers, where he was named a first team All-SEC and second team All-American in 2015. During that season, he amassed 152 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two interceptions in 12 games. He registered 357 tackles in 51 games with the Tigers.

Floyd (6’2”, 210 lbs) played safety for the Virginia Tech University Hokies where he recorded 230 tackles and five interceptions, on top of forcing two fumbles in 51 games, including 36 as a starter. The 22-year-old Manassas, VA native took part in the Arizona Cardinals training camp in 2020.

Mengel (6’2”, 210 lbs) was a member of the Conquerors of the Spring Football League last fall, helping the team win the championship as he kicked a 55-yard field goal in the win. The Harbor City, CA native played collegiately with the UCLA Bruins. In two seasons, the 27-year-old kicker maintained a 40.1-yard average on punts, forcing opponents to start their offensive drives inside their 20-yard line 35 times on 113 punts.

Washington (5’7″, 190 lbs.) cumulated 2,699 rushing yards on 531 carries, while scoring 25 majors in 45 games over four seasons with the San Diego State University Aztecs. The 24-year-old Fort Worth, TX native also made 33 catches good for 284 yards and three touchdowns. The speedster also handled kickoff return duties, racking up 1,013 yards and three majors on 43 returns.

https://en.montrealalouettes.com/202...ricans-roster/

[jerrym]

Former NFL fifth round draft pick RB Cameron Artis-Payne, who gained 491 yards on 118 rushes in 32 games with Carolina, has signed with the Als. In 2020 he gained 241 yards rushing and 101 yards receiving with Dallas in the XFL.

[jerrym]

Former Montreal and Tiger Cat kicker Don Sweet, who won the Most Valuable Canadian award three times, has been charged with six sexual crimes and one assault.

https://3downnation.com/2021/03/06/r...sexual-crimes/

[jerrym]

Former Argo RB Tyrell Sutton, who spent most of his career with the Als, but also played for BC and Hamilton has decided to retire at age 34 after gaining 4,000+ yards rushing and 1,600 yards receiving in the CFL and being a 2015 All-Star, in a very fine career.

[jerrym]

The Als have re-signed DB Ryan Carter, who had 22 DTs in 14 games for the team in 2019, and further added to their Quebecois depth with the signing of 2020 third round draft pick DL Benoit Marion and 2020 fourth round pick LB Brian Harelimana. Both Quebecers played for the University of Montreal Carabins.

[carlos]

Not sure how Quan Bray qualifies to be re- signed or is even allowed into the country. Loved him as a player but....