Latest news with #WalterFletcher
Ottawa Citizen
3 days ago
- 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.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Veteran Fletcher, rookie Senecal among Montreal Alouettes final cuts
Veteran running back Walter Fletcher and rookie Canadian quarterback Jonathan Senecal were among the Montreal Alouettes' final cuts Saturday. Canadian Football League teams had until 10 p.m. ET on Saturday to make final roster selections. The '25 regular season kicks off Thursday night with the Ottawa Redblacks visiting the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina. Advertisement Montreal begins its season Friday night hosting the Grey Cup-champion Toronto Argonauts. The five-foot-eight, 200-pound Fletcher was entering his fifth CFL season and fourth with Montreal. Fletcher, 28, ran for a career-high 764 yards on 141 carries (5.4-yard average) and four touchdowns in 17 games — also both personal bests He appeared in seven regular-season games in 2023 when Montreal won the Grey Cup. Fletcher signed a two-year deal with the Alouettes this off-season. Fletcher appeared in 48 career regular-season games with Edmonton (2021) and Montreal (2022-24). The former Ball State star ran for 1,818 yards on 351 carries (5.2-yard average) and five touchdowns. Advertisement Fletcher added 145 catches for 1,388 yards and four touchdowns. He had 71 receptions for 682 yards and three TDs last season. The Alouettes selected Senecal, the '23 Hec Crighton Trophy winner from Montreal, in the seventh round, No. 62 overall, in the '2025 CFL draft. The six-foot-one, 201-pound Senecal completed 71.5 per cent of his passes last season for 2,320 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions in eight regular-season games. He also ran 27 times for 278 yards (10.3-yard average) with three touchdowns. In 2023, Senecal led the Carabins to a Vanier Cup title. Montreal placed the following players on the practice roster: Defensive backs Don Callis and Robert Kennedy; offensive linemen Des Holmes, Nouredin Nouili and Ed Montilus; defensive linemen M.J. Sherman and Kori Roberson; linebacker K.D. Davis; receivers Jalen Wayne and Daniel Oladejo; defensive back Vincent Delisle; punter Joshua Sloan and kicker Joshua Hutley. Advertisement Receiver Isaac Gaillardetz, linebackers Riley MacLeod and Gabriel Lessard and defensive lineman Gabriel Maisonneuve — all Canadians — were placed on the retired list as they're returning to their respective schools. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 31, 2025. The Canadian Press
Toronto Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Veteran Fletcher, rookie Senecal among Montreal Alouettes final cuts
Veteran running back Walter Fletcher and rookie Canadian quarterback Jonathan Senecal were among the Montreal Alouettes' final cuts Saturday. Canadian Football League teams had until 10 p.m. ET on Saturday to make final roster selections. The '25 regular season kicks off Thursday night with the Ottawa Redblacks visiting the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina.
Ottawa Citizen
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Alouettes' Walter Fletcher took fumble in Eastern final to heart
Article content ST-JÉRÔME — Sleep never comes easily to Walter Fletcher after a game. Article content Article content So, understandably, it was a particularly restless night for the Alouettes tailback after November's East Division final loss to the Toronto Argonauts at Molson Stadium. Article content 'After every game, I'm always up because I have that adrenalin from the game,' Fletcher said Monday after the Als' training camp practice at Centre sportif Claude-Beaulieu. 'My whole family came out to see me play, especially after the year before (when) I didn't play as much and didn't get to play in the Grey Cup. Article content Article content 'When you have the opportunity, you want to take advantage. Just unfortunately, it didn't work out that way, but it's also a blessing because you learn from it. I'm blessed to have the opportunity to come back this season, have a chance to compete in camp and work for another opportunity. But it was definitely a learning experience.' Article content Article content Fletcher wasn't the only reason why Montreal lost 30-28 to Toronto, which went on to defeat Winnipeg the next week for the CFL championship. But like many of his teammates, Fletcher contributed to the loss. Article content The Als committed six turnovers that day, including four fumbles — one by Fletcher early in the game at the Toronto 35 after a 14-yard gain. Had Montreal scored a touchdown on the drive, the game might have taken a different turn. Article content A pass in the same quarter also deflected off Fletcher's hands and was intercepted by Benjie Franklin, who returned it 23 yards for the game's opening touchdown. But it wasn't all bad. Fletcher scored a late fourth-quarter touchdown on a 22-yard pass from Cody Fajardo, pulling the Als to within two points. However, they were unsuccessful on the subsequent two-point convert. Article content Article content 'Every play matters,' Fletcher said. 'It came down to that last play, that two-point conversion. If I didn't make those mistakes, the game could have gone a different way. You take full responsibility. I'm here today to get better and learn from it. Article content 'It took me a few months to get over that game.' Article content Fletcher had a productive season nonetheless, rushing for 764 yards and four touchdowns. He also caught 71 passes for 682 yards and three scores. It was the 5-foot-9, 202-pounder's debut as the Als' starter, and he was productive enough that management signed him in December to a two-year contract extension. Article content But nothing's guaranteed in pro sports, and Fletcher could be in a fight to crack the team's roster despite his veteran status. Article content He was held to four yards on two carries in the opening half of Saturday's 23-7 exhibition loss to Ottawa before being replaced. Like most of his fellow vets, Fletcher isn't expected to play Friday night, when the teams meet again at TD Place. Stevie Scott, who spent most of last season on the practice roster, had three carries for 30 yards on Saturday.
