Montreal Alouettes Thread

**jerrym** · 03-26-2021, 02:32 AM

Montreal has signed American DB Wesley Sutton.

Sutton (5’11”, 194 lbs.) was a member of the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks from 2014 to 2018. in 42 games, he collected 96 solo tackles and 56 assisted while making six interceptions. The Chandler, AZ native added 18 knockdowns and forced one fumble. In his senior season, Sutton finished third of his team in tackles with 72 (43 solos and 29 assisted) and was chosen on the First Team All-Big Sky.

“Wesley gained experience playing professional football in the XFL, where he did quite well,” said Alouettes General Manager Danny Maciocia. “He enjoyed a great collegiate career, he is a very aggressive player who will be well suited for our team.”

In 2020, the 25-year-old played for the New York Guardians in the XFL and collected two sacks and five defensive tackles. In 2019, he was invited to the Philadelphia Eagles rookie camp.

https://en.montrealalouettes.com/202...wesley-sutton/

**jerrym** · 04-06-2021, 07:32 PM

Last month the Als added another former NFLer, WR Eli Rogers, who played 30 games over four seasons for the Steelers, catching 78 passes for 822 yards in the process there, in addition to playing in the XFL.

**jerrym** · 04-06-2021, 07:35 PM

The Als are also pushing to have former Alouette HC Marv Levy placed in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. He should be.

An iconic head coach who was at the helm of our Alouettes in the 1970s and led them to two Grey Cups, who also made a name for himself south of the border by leading the Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls. Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001, it is high time for him to get his name into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
Hence, by the beginning of April (date of the nomination of the 2021 Canadian Hall of Fame inductees), we will be posting different articles, content, and testimonials from former players and defining figures to push this nomination. ...

The alumni rally up!

Peter Dalla Riva: Receiver for the Alouettes from 1968 to 1981

MARV’S TECHNIQUE HELPED IMPROVE THE CANADIAN GAME. HE’S THE ONE WHO INTRODUCED THE NO-HUDDLE OFFENSIVE STRATEGY WHICH HE LATER BROUGHT TO THE NFL. HE CHALLENGED THE NORMS FOR PUNT RETURNS.

Johnny Rodgers: Receiver for the Alouettes from 1973 to 1976

OVER HIS FIVE YEARS AT THE HELM OF THE ALOUETTES, MARV LED THE TEAM TO THREE GREY CUP BATTLES AND WON TWO OF THEM. THAT’S HARD TO BEAT.

Gabriel Grégoire: Defensive lineman for the Alouettes from 1976 to 1980

HE WAS SUCH AN INSPIRATION TO ME PERSONALLY, TO THE SOCIETY, BUT ALSO TO ALL THE COACHES AND ATHLETES HE WORKED WITH.

https://www.985fm.ca/audio/379968/ga...mmee-de-la-lcf
Larry Smith: President of the Alouettes from 1997 to 2001, from 2004 to 2010

MARV LEVY HAD A MAJOR IMPACT IN 5 YEARS ONLY, NOT ONLY IN MONTREAL, BUT IN THE ENTIRE CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE.

https://en.montrealalouettes.com/twohallsformarv/

**jerrym** · 04-07-2021, 07:04 PM

Canadian LB Jean Gabriel Poulin, a third round 2018 draft pick who played 26 games in 2018-19, primarily on special teams, has retired.

**jerrym** · 04-07-2021, 07:07 PM

The Als have signed former NFL and XFL DB Prince Charles Iworah. He had one tackle in his one NFL game.

**jerrym** · 04-27-2021, 09:16 PM

Here's a look at the Als Global draft picks.

The Montreal Alouettes selected Australian kicker Joseph Zema in the first round (sixth overall) of the CFL Global Draft on Thursday. Montreal then slected Japanese linebacker Akio Yamagashi in the second round (13th overall), Japanese running back Taku Leein the third round (24th overall), and Swedish defensive back William James in the fourth round (31st overall).

Zema (6’2″, 210 lbs.) played 11 games for the Incarnate Word University in Texas in 2017, during which he maintained a 46.7 yard average on 77 punts, forcing opposing teams to start from inside their 20-yard line on 20 occasions. In 2019, the Melbourne, Australia native played for the San Antonio Commanders in the AAF, where he averaged 45.8 yards on 37 punts.

Yamagishi (5’10”, 219 lbs.) suited up for the Fujitsu Frontier of the Japanese X-league, helping his team win six consecutive Rice Bowl national championships between 2014 and 2019. He also was the kicker for his team. Voted the captain of his team, he won the college football player of the year award in Japan in 2016....

Lee (6’1″, 205 lbs.) helped the Obic Seagulls win the Japan X-League championship last year, completing the game with 111 rushing yards on 21 carries. He scored both of his team’s majors in a 13-7 win. He then helped his team go on to win the Rice Bowl.

James (5’11”, 195 lbs.) played for the Dresden Monarchs in the German League in 2018, before stops in Australia, Finland and his native Sweden. He played two seasons for the North Dakota University Fighting Hawks in the NCAA. In 23 games, he registered 94 tackles, one sack, while forcing three fumbles and knocking down four passes.

https://en.montrealalouettes.com/202...-japan-sweden/

**jerrym** · 04-27-2021, 09:41 PM

Swedish Global draft pick DB William James has remarkable story of endurance and survival despite being on a NCAA scholarship. However at 29, I think he has little chance of sticking in the CFL.

“I started playing football at the age of 14. I started playing sports very young and I realized I loved football and contact sports,” said James on the phone. “When it was time to enroll in university, I sent probably 300 applications. I wanted to play football at the next level so bad. The Fighting Hawks made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, and I spent four years there in North Dakota.” In two seasons in the NCAA, he played 23 games, collected 94 tackles, a sack, forced three fumbles and knocked down four passes. The Swede played as a linebacker and on special teams.

However, things were not always rosy on American soil. Upon his arrival, the young prodigy lived with three other teammates in a small apartment with three bedrooms. When the landlord realized that too many people were living in the apartment, William was evicted from the residence. His name was not on the lease and it was imperative to respect the limits imposed by the owner for fire prevention purposes. It must also be said that the guys all together were not the quietest tenants in the city, which did not help his cause….

During these difficult times, William would arrive at his university’s gymnasium at the opening at 6 in the morning to take a shower and wash up. No one knew that he was just washing up there. Around 7 a.m., he would wait for his friends who had an unlimited meal card to eat. “When I had no choice, I would buy canned tuna, but most of the time I would take my friends’ meal plans. When I think about it, it was a pretty tough year. I didn’t want to alert my parents because I knew they’d be worried. Thankfully, things went back to normal the following year.”

As he waits for the season to start, William James works with his mother who is a teacher at a school for children with special needs in Sweden. He learns to communicate with them and helps young people aged seven to thirteen develop self-confidence. He sees autistic children with personality disorders and loves to put a smile on their face. “You realize very quickly that they appreciate your presence. Seeing them being happy makes my day in all honesty. These young people are heroes to me. They stop at nothing and enjoy life.”

Before going to university (2015-2018), the linebacker spent time in Germany where he played three seasons with the Dresden Monarchs.

He then spent a year in Australia in 2019 playing rugby, while football for his university. It was North of the city of Melbourne that he found a job with the horses. “Quickly, I was taught how to take care of these beautiful animals. I washed them, brushed them, cleaned their environment and fell in love with them. After a short time, they recognized me and appreciated my presence.” The 29-year-old is fascinated about how these animals react differently to others

https://en.montrealalouettes.com/202...ing-alouettes/

**jerrym** · 05-06-2021, 01:34 PM

Below is a recap of the Als draft picks with their focus being OL in their first three picks and all picks being French Canadians or Quebec natives:

OL Pier Olivier Lestage (6’3″, 310 lbs.) played three seasons with the Carabins. In 2019 he was named a RSEQ first team All-Star and second team All-Canadian. The Saint-Eustache, QC native participated in the Tropical Bowl in Florida this winter and the Gridiron College Showcase in Texas. Following the NFL Draft last week, Lestage signed a contract as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks. “We are extremely pleased to have been able to claim Pier-Olivier and that he was still available in the second round,” said Alouettes General Manager Danny Maciocia. “He is a versatile player, always ready to help his teammates and he will fit perfectly with the Alouettes.”

OL Chris Fournier (6’4”, 285 lbs.) played 29 games in three seasons with the Lehigh University Mountain Hawks, including the last 22 as a starter and the last 11 at the left tackle position. With the Alouettes, the Orléans, ON native will renew with running back Dominick Bragalone for who he punched holes for two seasons, including 2017 when Bragalone amassed 1,388 rushing yards and scored 18 touchdowns, including he career-best 218-yard game, en route to the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year award.

OL Patrick Davis (6’5′, 312 lbs.) played four seasons with the Syracuse University Orange. In 2019 the offensive lineman helped his receiver Devon Bibbens gain 859 receiving yards and six majors in eleven games thanks to good quarterback protection. He was a part of an offensive line, which allowed running backs Zaythan Hill and RaShawn Allen respectively amass 413 and 378 rushing yards. In 2020 the Gatineau, QC native was limited to only one game due to an injury.

Kicker David Côté (6’4”, 215 lbs.) played for the Université Laval Rouge et Or and led the RSEQ conference with 108 points in 2019, including 72 which came from his conference high 24 field goals. He was named a RSEQ First Team All-Star and was invited to the Hula Bowl this past January, even if the 2020 season was cancelled. He made three field goals in his team’s 15-13 win. He helped the Rouge et Or win two national championships in 2016 and 2018.

LB Ethan Makonzo (6’1′, 220 lbs.) played eight games with the Université de Montreal Carabins in 2019, while intercepting two passes and amassing six solo tackles and five assisted tackles. The Montreal, QC native was chosen on the RSEQ Defensive All-Star Team. He joins Danny Maciocia the General Manager of the Alouettes who was his head coach with the Carabins.

https://en.montrealalouettes.com/202...-1-linebacker/

**jerrym** · 05-13-2021, 10:01 PM

GM Danny Macocia discusses the team's strategy in having 24 Quebecois under contract in an attempt to appeal to Quebec French audience.

The strategy was announced from Day 1. When Danny Maciocia and Mario Cecchini spoke to the media after being appointed respectively General Manager and President of the Alouettes, the pair had made it clear that the idea what to give local players the chance to play for their province’s team when they had the skills and talent to do so. ...

“Keeping local identity is essential for professional sports in Montreal.” -Danny Manioca. ...

“It’s funny to say, but the more “québécéois” professional team are the Alouettes, which used to be a bastion of the English-speaking community. There are 24 Quebec players on contract.”

https://en.montrealalouettes.com/202...nounced-day-1/

**jerrym** · 05-29-2021, 09:58 PM

The Alouettes are facing a depth problem at linebacker having lost Henoc Muamba to the Argos although they did sign Chris Ackie and also have Patrick Levels, there is still a question mark about who the other starter and back ups will be.

**jerrym** · 06-15-2021, 12:40 AM

The Als have signed all four of their Global draft picks, Australian kicker Joseph Zema, Japanese LB Akio Yamagishi, Japanese RB Taku Lee, and Swedish DB William James, as well as French WR Kevin Kaya, who played for the Montreal Carabins.

Zema (6’2″, 210 lbs.) played 11 games for the Incarnate Word University in Texas in 2017, during which he maintained a 46.7 yard average on 77 punts, forcing opposing teams to start from inside their 20-yard line on 20 occasions. In 2019, the Melbourne, Australia native played for the San Antonio Commanders in the AAF, where he averaged 45.8 yards on 37 punts.

Yamagishi (5’10”, 219 lbs.) suited up for the Fujitsu Frontier of the Japanese X-league, helping his team win six consecutive Rice Bowl national championships between 2014 and 2019. He also was the kicker for his team. Voted team captain, he won the College Football Player of the Year award in Japan in 2016.

Lee (6’1″, 205 lbs.) helped the Obic Seagulls win the Japan X-League championship last year, completing the game with 111 rushing yards on 21 carries. He scored both of his team’s majors in a 13-7 win. He then helped his team go on to win the Rice Bowl.

James (5’11”, 195 lbs.) played for the Dresden Monarchs in the German League in 2018, before stops in Australia, Finland, and his native Sweden. He played two seasons for the North Dakota University Fighting Hawks in the NCAA. In 23 games, he registered 94 tackles, one sack, while forcing three fumbles and knocking down four passes.

Kaya (6’4”, 175 lbs.) completed his collegiate career with a bang in 2019, as he finished the season in second place of the RSEQ with 597 receiving yards on 45 receptions, on top of scoring a major. The 26-year-old Nancy, France native was selected a RSEQ first team All-Star, as well as a second team All-Canadian. He caught three passes for 33 yards in the 2019 Vanier Cup against the University of Calgary Dinos.

https://en.montrealalouettes.com/202...in-kevin-kaya/

**Will** · 06-23-2021, 06:33 AM

Natey Adjei has decided to retire.

He signed with the Als in the offseason after "spending" the 2020 season with the Argonauts.

In fact, the Alouettes were hit with multiple retirements yesterday.

Interesting names on the @MTLAlouettes retired transactions list today.

Adjei, Natey (N), WR
Banner, Bo (N), DE,
Becker, Andrew (N), OL,
Jones, Malachi (A)
Richard, Hugo (N), QB
Wilkinson, Zach (N), OL,#AlsMTL #Montreals #CFL
— Alouettes Flightdeck (@AlouettesFLDeck) June 22, 2021

**jerrym** · 06-24-2021, 11:13 PM

The Als look like they have a lot of talent and depth along their DL.

https://en.montrealalouettes.com/202...sh-dline-2021/

**jerrym** · 07-02-2021, 02:00 AM

LS Martin Bedard after a 11 year career with the Als has announced his retirement.

**jerrym** · 07-02-2021, 02:05 AM

Former Argo Canadian FB Alexandre Dupuis and seven other players have signed with the Als.

Dupuis (6’3”, 243 lbs.) started his CFL career with the Toronto Argonauts in 2014, after the team drafted him in the fourth round (36th overall) that spring. He then played with Edmonton from 2017 to 2019. In 75 games in the CFL the 31-year-old former Université de Montréal Carabin caught 24 passes for 255 yards. ...

OL Chris Schleuger (6’4″, 305 lbs.) was impressive in his rookie season with the Alouettes as he started 13 games in the regular season, as well as the Eastern Semi-Final. The former University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazer was a member of an offensive line that limited opposing teams to 39 quarterback sacks in 2019. The 26-year-old also helped create the openings that allowed the team to finish in second place in the CFL with 2,236 rushing yards.

Canadian OL Patrick Davis (6’5′, 312 lbs.) was selected in the fourth round (28th overall) in the last Canadian Draft, after playing four seasons with the Syracuse University Orange. In 2019 the offensive lineman helped his receiver Devon Bibbens gain 859 receiving yards and score six majors in eleven games thanks to good quarterback protection. He was part of an offensive line which allowed running backs Zaythan Hill and RaShawn Allen to respectively amass 413 and 378 rushing yards. In 2020 the Gatineau, QC native was limited to only one game due to an injury.

The Alouettes also announced that the club has signed national receiver Rashaun Simonise, American defensive backs Robert Nelson Jr. and Simeon Thomas, American running back Anthony Jones, as well as American offensive lineman Nick Callender.

Simonise (6’4″, 200 lbs.) will enter his third season in the CFL after spending time in Winnipeg and BC. In his career, the Vancouver native and former Calgary University Dino made nine catches for 175 yards. The 26-year-old receiver did not miss a game since his professional debut.

Nelson Jr. (5’10, 174 lbs.) spent some time in the NFL from 2014 to 2018 with stops in Cleveland, Arizona, Houston, New England, New York (Jets), Baltimore and New Orleans. In 20 games he registered 21 solo tackles and three assisted. He also made an interception, recovered a fumble and added two knockdowns. The defensive back also played in the AAF with Arizona, as well as the XFL with Houston and St. Louis. In his final year with the Arizona State University Sun Devils, the 31-year-old was elected on the First Team All-Pac 12.

Thomas (6’3″, 197 lbs.) was drafted in the sixth round (188th total) by the Cleveland Browns, in 2018. The 27-year-old Miami, FL native was then a member of the Seattle Seahawks, before playing for Washington where he made eight tackles in 12 games. In the collegiate ranks, Thomas played for the University of Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns, having his best season in 2016, registering 40 tackles, on top of knocking down five passes and making two interceptions in 13 games.

Jones (5’11”, 211 lbs.) completed his collegiate career with the Florida Atlantic University Cougars on a strong note, as he scored nine rushing touchdowns in 2019, completing the season with 867 yards on 187 carries. He also caught ten passes for 123 yards on top of scoring two receiving touchdowns. In four seasons with the Cougars, the 24-year-old Miami, FL native cumulated 2,010 yards and 21 touchdowns, adding 271 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He took part in the Seattle Seahawks training camp in 2020.

Callender (6’6”, 321 lbs.) played for the Houston Roughnecks in the XFL in 2020 after stops with the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks. The 27-year-old played for the Colorado State University Rams, where he helped the offence rank eighth in the country for sacks allowed and 12th for passing efficiency in his senior season.

https://www.cfl.ca/2021/06/30/alouet...-seven-others/

**jerrym** · 07-10-2021, 02:12 AM

The Als have been bitten by the same type of major injury that hit four Riders. The achilles heel injury has already cost them WR Teo Redding and DB Ryan Carter.

On the eve of camp, DB Ryan Carter and receiver Teo Redding - both of whom were long shots to make the team - have suffered Achilles injuries for #AlsMTL
— Herb Zurkowsky (@HerbZurkowsky1) July 10, 2021

**jerrym** · 07-17-2021, 02:02 AM

Here are Als TC reports for the first four days:

https://en.montrealalouettes.com/202...eport-day-1-5/

https://en.montrealalouettes.com/202...eport-day-2-4/

https://en.montrealalouettes.com/202...eport-day-3-4/

https://en.montrealalouettes.com/202...eport-day-3-4/

**jerrym** · 07-20-2021, 01:56 AM

Montreal has cut former Argo Canadian kicker Tyler Crapigna, who was 22/27 with Toronto in 13 games in Toronto in 2019. He had also played for Calgary and the Riders.

**jerrym** · 07-23-2021, 12:31 AM

Former Canadian CFL player and coach Chuck McMann has passed away. He played for the Alouettes from 1976 t0 1985. He received praise from around the league.

Chuck McMann, who won Grey Cups as a CFL player and assistant coach, has died. He was 70.

The Calgary Stampeders made the announcement Wednesday. McMann served as an assistant coach on head coach Wally Buono's staff from 1992 to 2000, winning Grey Cups in 1992 and '98....

McMann, a Toronto native, spent 10 seasons as a running back with the Montreal Alouettes and Montreal Concordes, winning a Grey Cup title in 1977. He was a third-round pick of the Alouettes in 1976 out of Wilfrid Laurier and is a member of the Golden Hawks Hall of Fame.

McMann served as the head coach at both the University of Waterloo (1988-91) and McGill (2001-06). He also served as a special-teams coach with the B.C. Lions from 2008-15 under both Buono and Mike Benevides, earning a Grey Cup ring in 2011.

"The .BCLions are sad to learn the passing of former longtime assistant coach Chuck McMann," the Lions tweeted. "Chuck was a member of the coaching staff of our 2011 Grey Cup championship. Thoughts are with his family." Neil McEvoy, the Lions' co-GM and football operations director said in a statement that McMann was dedicated to both football and coaching. "Chuck's passion for football and coaching was second to none. He also brought a classy and professional approach to the Lions organization, those of which we made sure were emulated throughout the entire club," McEvoy said. "The Lions organization was truly better for having Chuck around for a long period of time. Our thoughts go out to his wife, Marg, and their entire family at this difficult time."

The Alouettes also paid tribute to McMann. "The Alouettes are saddened by the passing of Chuck McMann, who proudly wore the Alouettes colours from 1976 to 1985, helping the team win the famous 1977 Ice Bowl," the club said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with his family and friends."

Former Lions linebackers Adam Bighill and Solomon Elimimian both paid their respects. "Rest easy Chuck," tweeted Bighill, now with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. "You were such a passionate coach and person. "I appreciate everything you did for me and so many others! You are missed by so many." The retired Elimimian also added on Twitter: "Rest In Peace Coach Chuck. A great coach and wonderful person. You had such a positive impact on so many!"

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/c...f-70-1.6111865