A look at the favourites to replace Larry Smith as president of the Alouettes.
So Larry Smith is leaving as president of the Montreal Alouettes after 12 years.
My source tells me his task was to build up the business end with sponsors and complete the expansion of Molson Stadium, which has gone from a rundown dump in 1997 to a decent facility seating 25,000 and change and with some nice suites.
He left the Als once as president to take on the role of publisher for the Montreal Gazette. We suspect that's not in his plans. Maybe politics. Maybe writing his memoirs. Maybe grooming himself for a return to the commissioner's job with the Canadian Football League.
Well, Perry's Peerless Predictions has scoured the football world and has assembled potential successors and their odds. As usual, Randall the Handle, the Sensei of the Selections, suggests going against the favourites because there's better value with the dogs. Then again, good luck trying to make a bet on this.
Jim Popp (5-2): Veteran Als general manager can handle presidential duties as well - he would become the Ayatollah of the Als - with some help on the business side. Hey, he signed an extension earlier this year and owner Robert (Call Me Bob) Wetenhall likes him like a son.
Eric Lapointe (3-1): Former Als running back has done well in his post-football career as a financial analyst in Montreal. Has all the requisite qualities: good looks (not that ugly people can't do the job), speaks English and French with equal style and charm, knows the organization and the marketplace and is well-respected. Could be added to help Popp in the business side of things.
Jock Climie (6-1): Another former Als player who is well known as a football analyst. He is a full-time lawyer and communicates with the best of them - in English, French and legalese, collectively known as Jock Talk. Then again, fellow analyst Matt Dunigan calls Climie Jacques.
Michael Soles (10-1): Continuing the theme of former Als, this one-time fullback is also in the investment business and is similar to Lapointe in pedigree but a better blocker, which is needed when running interference from the rabid Montreal media.
Darren Gill (12-1): A sharp, young football agent who works in a major marketing role for FieldTurf in Montreal. Knows the CFL inside and out and is multilingual.
Serge Savard (15-1): Hockey great is an outstanding businessman who proved his ability to run an organization, winning two Stanley Cups as managing director of the Montreal Canadiens. Has made a fortune in a variety of ventures but he might not want to take on this challenge at this point in his life. Then again… why not? The stadium is built, the crowds are coming in and Anthony Calvillo is still launching the leather.
Larry Fairholm (20-1): Ex-Als player (I think I've exhausted them all so far) who has been linked to the organization in the past. And, hey, it will continue the Larry theme.
Peter Dalla Riva (30-1): Was a lanky tight end with the Als in the '70s and is a fixture in the Montreal community. Has great hands, which is important if you're repeatedly accepting the Grey Cup.
Danny Maciocia (50-1): Not well-liked in Edmonton, in which he won a Grey Cup as a head coach but didn't do well as a general manager. Extremely popular in Montreal and the province of Quebec. Edmontonians just didn't appreciate him because he didn't look the part of a football guy. Then again neither does Rex Ryan.
Gil Scott (75-1): Veteran player agent practically runs the CFL. He doesn't speak French - not to my knowledge anyway - but nobody parlays contracts better than him.
All others (99-1): Could be lots of hidden talents lurking in the proverbial weeds - and by that I don't mean the sweet smell filtering through air at home games.
