Latest news with #Alouettes'
Ottawa Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Davis Alexander era off to a good start for Alouettes
Now that Davis Alexander has reached a certain status level as the Alouettes' starting quarterback, he might want to eschew having to play exhibition games next season. Article content Alexander in general, and the Als' offence in particular, struggled mightily in the first half against Ottawa on May 24 in the teams' first exhibition game. Montreal failed to score a touchdown over the opening 30 minutes and even had trouble generating first downs that afternoon. Based on two weeks' of training camp workouts to that point, there was a modicum of reason to wonder — especially since Alexander and the starters didn't play the following week on the road against the Redblacks. Article content Wonder no more. Article content Article content While one game does not a season make, the early reviews on Alexander are positive. Despite starting only four games last season — all wins — the 26-year-old fourth-year veteran showed the moment wasn't too big for him on Friday night. Article content Alexander and his teammates delivered a beat-down on the Toronto Argonauts, handling the visitors with ease during this complete 28-10 victory at Molson Stadium in their regular-season opener before 21,480 Molson Stadium spectators. Article content The Argos might be the defending Grey Cup champions, but on this night they looked like chumps. Article content 'His mental toughness,' said receiver Tyson Philpot, who scored Montreal's first offensive touchdown on a 26-yard pass from Alexander late in the first quarter. 'He raises the level of competition. He demands excellence from all of us. As a receiving corps we know we have to show up for him. Article content Article content 'I think that's the start of the D.A. era right now.' Article content Article content Simply based on statistics, there was nothing spectacular about Alexander. He completed 19 of 26 passes for 205 yards along with the touchdown to Philpot, who suffered a freak season-ending foot injury last August against Hamilton. Alexander also was intercepted once in the third quarter, while underthrowing Philpot on a long attempt that was as good as a punt. Article content In the process, Alexander showed a quarterback need not throw for 300 yards to be effective. He was accurate with his passes and was able to find receivers while moving the pocket. Austin Mack was Montreal's leading receiver, catching five passes for 51 yards. Philpot had four receptions for 48 yards. Article content Alexander utilized seven different receivers. Article content 'I'm not going to say the pre-season doesn't mean anything to me,' Alexander said. 'You know I go out there and compete every single time. Maybe it was knocking a littler bit of rust off? Or just a different type of competitive juice. We've got playmakers everywhere. We had guys making crucial second-down conversions, and our run game was spectacular.
Montreal Gazette
3 days ago
- Sport
- Montreal Gazette
Davis Alexander era off to a good start for Alouettes
By Now that Davis Alexander has reached a certain status level as the Alouettes' starting quarterback, he might want to eschew having to play exhibition games next season. Alexander in general, and the Als' offence in particular, struggled mightily in the first half against Ottawa on May 24 in the teams' first exhibition game. Montreal failed to score a touchdown over the opening 30 minutes and even had trouble generating first downs that afternoon. Based on two weeks' of training camp workouts to that point, there was a modicum of reason to wonder — especially since Alexander and the starters didn't play the following week on the road against the Redblacks. Wonder no more. While one game does not a season make, the early reviews on Alexander are positive. Despite starting only four games last season — all wins — the 26-year-old fourth-year veteran showed the moment wasn't too big for him on Friday night. Alexander and his teammates delivered a beat-down on the Toronto Argonauts, handling the visitors with ease during this complete 28-10 victory at Molson Stadium in their regular-season opener before 21,480 Molson Stadium spectators. The Argos might be the defending Grey Cup champions, but on this night they looked like chumps. 'His mental toughness,' said receiver Tyson Philpot, who scored Montreal's first offensive touchdown on a 26-yard pass from Alexander late in the first quarter. 'He raises the level of competition. He demands excellence from all of us. As a receiving corps we know we have to show up for him. 'I think that's the start of the D.A. era right now.' Simply based on statistics, there was nothing spectacular about Alexander. He completed 19 of 26 passes for 205 yards along with the touchdown to Philpot, who suffered a freak season-ending foot injury last August against Hamilton. Alexander also was intercepted once in the third quarter, while underthrowing Philpot on a long attempt that was as good as a punt. In the process, Alexander showed a quarterback need not throw for 300 yards to be effective. He was accurate with his passes and was able to find receivers while moving the pocket. Austin Mack was Montreal's leading receiver, catching five passes for 51 yards. Philpot had four receptions for 48 yards. Alexander utilized seven different receivers. 'I'm not going to say the pre-season doesn't mean anything to me,' Alexander said. 'You know I go out there and compete every single time. Maybe it was knocking a littler bit of rust off? Or just a different type of competitive juice. We've got playmakers everywhere. We had guys making crucial second-down conversions, and our run game was spectacular. 'I refer to it as cowboy football,' he added. 'If things break down it's on me as a quarterback to make something happen.' This might have been the Alouettes' most-balanced offensive attack since Jason Maas became head coach in 2023. Canadian tailback Sean Thomas-Erlington gained 86 yards on 17 carries. Alexander had four carries for 50 yards, while American rookie Travis Theis chipped in with three carries for 22 yards. The Als had 163 yards rushing. Montreal generated 22 first downs along with 354 yards' net offence while running 55 plays and controlling the ball for 34 minutes. 'He (Alexander) showed me a little bit of everything,' Maas said. 'He did some really good things throwing the ball down the field, did a lot of great things with his legs. Some toughness and leading us on offence. I thought he did a tremendous job of making really good decisions and didn't put the ball in harm's way. 'We still have to look at the film and get better; I know that.' The teams were meeting for the first time since last November's East Division final, when the Alouettes committed six turnovers and lost 30-28 at home, denying themselves the opportunity of defending their CFL title. If Montreal was seeking revenge on Friday night, it succeeded. 'I'd be lying if I didn't say that a big part of that came from that sour taste we had in our mouth from that game,' said linebacker Tyrice Beverette, last season's division finalist as outstanding defensive player. 'We know we left something on the field. We know we were the better team that (day), but didn't come out to play. We wanted to show the world tonight who was the better team.' Toronto quarterback Nick Arbuckle might have been the Grey Cup's most valuable player last season, but Montreal's' defence made his life miserable. While Arbuckle passed for 273 yards and a touchdown, he also was intercepted twice — a trademark that has dogged him throughout his inconsistent career. Arbuckle also fumbled just before halftime when under duress from defensive-tackle Shawn Oakman. Rush-end Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund recovered the ball, returning it 17 yards for a touchdown. Short-yardage quarterback Caleb Evans scored the Alouettes' other touchdown on a one-yard run in the third quarter after James Letcher Jr. returned the opening second-half kickoff 67 yards. Jose Maltos added two field goals and a single. Montreal's next three games are on the road beginning next Friday at Ottawa.
Ottawa Citizen
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Walter Fletcher departs Alouettes with head held high
Article content Walter Fletcher won't cast stones on his way out of the Alouettes' organization. But at the same time, the veteran tailback believes he did what was required to make the team. Article content 'I understand the business of things,' Fletcher told The Gazette by telephone after his release on Saturday. 'Part of you is a bit surprised. But on the other side, you understand the business. Things like this happen. You have to be professional about it, move on and pick things up.' Article content Article content Fletcher, 28, wasn't the only veteran released on Saturday, but he clearly was the biggest name on the Als. Article content Article content Also handed their walking papers were defensive-back Bryce Cosby and offensive-tackle Josh Donovan. Both players were heading into their second season with Montreal. Article content Cosby played all 18 regular-season games, registering 55 tackles and 12 on special teams. He had one sack and two interceptions. He also dressed for the East Division final. Donovan, 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, played 17 games for Montreal. Both players are American. Article content Fletcher was heading into his fourth season with the Als after launching his CFL career with Edmonton. The 5-foot-9, 206-pounder was the Als' leading rusher last season, gaining 764 yards on 141 carries (5.4-yard average) while scoring four touchdowns in 17 games. His season high came on Sept. 14 at Calgary, when he gained 90 yards on only seven carries. Article content Article content Fletcher never had more than 12 carries in a game. It could be argued he was underused, but he also caught 71 passes for 682 yards, scoring three touchdowns. Article content 'They wanted to give the young guys an opportunity,' Fletcher said. 'That's the game that we play. It's a young man's game. I'm 28. I'm not up there in age, but at the same time you understand the nature of the game, the business and the league that we're in. We're professional athletes. We can't take any day for granted — or any year. Article content 'This is the bad part of the business. No one wants to go through this.' Article content Article content Heading into Friday's regular-season opener against Toronto at Molson Stadium, head coach Jason Maas still has an assortment of tailbacks at his disposal, including imports Stevie Scott III and Travis Theis, along with Canadian Sean Thomas-Erlington. Article content Scott, 25, is 6-foot-1 and 218 pounds. He spent most of last season on the practice roster, but dressed for an Oct. 19 game at B.C., gaining 33 yards on seven carries and adding three receptions for 20 yards.
Ottawa Citizen
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Players on Alouettes roster bubble get final chance to impress coaches
Article content ST-JÉRÔME — The Alouettes' veteran players have done everything they could through nearly three weeks of training camp to ensure they'll remain with the team. Article content Now, it's up to the CFL rookies to show the coaches they should take a chance on them. Article content 'We've never been shy talking about the competition on this team,' Als head coach Jason Maas said. 'Every single position, every single player, has been told that since Day 1. We've told the vets: 'Don't you dare think that you've made it.' And told the rookies: 'Don't think you're out of it.' Article content Article content 'Every single guy needs to go on that field and feel he can make our team.' Article content Article content The Als play their final exhibition game Friday against the Ottawa Redblacks at TD Place (7 p.m., TSN4, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM). The teams played on Saturday in Montreal and, despite veterans playing throughout the first half, the Als were dreadful during a 23-7 defeat — at least on offence. Article content The optics have changed this week, with 37 veteran players not taking the two-hour bus ride to Ottawa. Article content One rookie battling for an Alouettes job is defensive-back Tiawan Mullen. The 5-foot-9, 182-pounder was Indiana University's outstanding defensive player in 2020. In 40 games, he intercepted five passes and forced four fumbles. He was a first-team all-American as a sophomore and spent 2023 with the Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles. His brother, Trayvon, plays for Baltimore and he's a cousin of Ravens starting QB Lamar Jackson. Article content Article content 'I'm handling this game like any other day,' said the 24-year-old Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native. '(Wednesday) I had to buff the car. (Thursday) I'm able to polish it. Once I'm done polishing, the result is going to show on Friday.' Article content The car? 'A Ferrari,' Mullin said. Article content Although the Redblacks are playing at home, head coach Bob Dyce has elected not to dress 29 veterans, including starting quarterback Dru Brown, tailback William Stanback and receiver Eugene Lewis — the latter two former Alouettes. Matt Shiltz, who also played for Montreal, will start at QB. Article content Caleb Evans is scheduled to start at quarterback and is expected to play the first quarter, at least, before being replaced by James Morgan. Mirabel quarterback Jonathan Sénécal, a seventh-round draft choice this year from Université de Montréal, should play the fourth quarter in what will probably be the epilogue of his short-lived pro career.
