THE CANADIAN PRESS
MONTREAL — Veteran guard Scott Flory may have spoken for the entire Montreal team — not just the offensive line — when he talked during training camp of bringing the Alouettes back to their accustomed spot as a CFL power.
"We have the Grey Cup game in our back yard this year and that sour taste in our mouths and no doubt, we have something to re-prove to this league," Flory said.
The Alouettes slumped to 8-10 in 2007 — their first losing season since they rejoined the league in 1996 — and were edged 20-17 by Winnipeg in the East Division semifinals.
So they have much ground to make up in a season in which Montreal will play host to the championship game at Olympic Stadium in November.
A weak season brought sweeping changes at the top — including the removal of Jim Popp as head coach to concentrate on his general manager’s duties and his replacement by long-time NFL assistant Marc Trestman, who had no previous CFL experience.
Only one of nine assistants — former quarterbacks coach Scott Milanovich, who is now offensive co-ordinator — is back from Popp’s staff.
But as soon as camp opened, a more business-like approach was noticeable as the new coaches got to work on a team that may have grown complacent after 11 years at or near the top of the league.
Player changes were relatively few, but perhaps all they needed was a jolt of energy and new ideas.
Or, as back-up quarterback Marcus Brady said of the Trestman administration: "Everyone’s more focused. He’s pretty tough on us, but I think it’s going to be good for us. We’ll be mentally prepared for each game."
A concern to start the season is injuries, as Brady will miss the opener with a sore left (non-throwing) shoulder, along with slotbacks Ben Cahoon (quadriceps) and Elijah Thurman (ankle). Running back Jarrett Payton and safety Mathieu Proulx are also banged up.
But at least the team looks to have some depth at quarterback.
Veteran Anthony Calvillo, who needs only 206 yards to pass Danny McManus for second place in career passing yards, is back after missing the end of last season and the playoffs to tend to his wife Alexia, who was suffering from cancer but who appears to be progressing well.
After years with no reliable back-up, Montreal suddenly has a string of them, including Brady, who was strong in Calvillo’s absence and should be back in a month. Third-stringer Brad Banks has looked good in the pre-season, but even he is being pushed by the athletic Adrian McPherson.
Brady is settling in to his second-string role.
"Me and Anthony have a great relationship," said Brady. "He’s a great guy to learn from.
"I have a lot of respect for Anthony and that helps. He’s going to be a Hall of Famer. He’s an excellent quarterback. So I’m just waiting for my turn."
Protecting the quarterback is a priority this season, after a weak 2007 campaign in which Calvillo was sacked repeatedly and the team failed to put up 400 points for the first time since their 1996 revival.
But the big setback for the offensive line last season was its failure to come through in third-and-short yardage situations, including on their final play of their playoff game when they turned the ball over after a feeble attempt to gain less than a yard.
The line had always been one of Montreal’s strengths, but fingers were pointed at guards Flory and Paul Lambert, centre Bryan Chiu and tackles Dave Mudge and Luke Fritz, who may play behind Jeff Perrett this season. It is also possible that an American tackle will be used.
"What went wrong, I don’t know," said Flory. "It was just a crack and then the avalanche came down.
"There were times when everything was going great and then we’d come out the next week and it would be completely different. It was Jekyll and Hyde, and that’s tough. You have to be consistent on the offensive line. We just didn’t have that last year and that’s what we need to get back to."
At running back, Avon Colbourne likely to start in Payton’s spot.
Veteran Jason Armstead, who also returns kicks, was added to a receiving corps that when all are healthy will have the sure-handed Ben Cahoon and Elijah Thurman at slotback and Kerry Watkins at receiver, while tall target Eric Deslauriers should play a lot.
Damon Duval, an excellent punter who had a so-so 2007 on field goals, is back to handle the kicking.
The defence saw tackle Dario Romero leave and Keron Williams come in from Calgary to join tackle Devone Claybrooks and ends Anwar Stewart, Alain Kashama (also out with an injury) and John Bowman.
Dwayne Taylor missed the entire 2007 season with an elbow injury, but is back at middle linebacker. Fiery linebacker Tim Strickland is gone and may be replaced by Diamond Ferri or newcomer Reggie Hunt, with T.J. Hill on the left side.
The only change in the backfield saw Etienne Boulay bolt to the New York Jets. With Proulx out, he will likely be replaced by Pascal Masson, to go with backs Randee Drew and Chip Cox and cornerbacks Davis Sanchez and Mark Estelle.
The Alouettes begin the season Thursday night in Hamilton, where it will be seen how much Trestman and his staff have come in turning the team around after a short training camp and only two pre-season games.
It may be well into the season before all the adjustments are made, but Flory is confident they have the personnel to win.
"We’ve got some great offensive systems, we have great quarterbacks, great receivers," he said. "We have potential to be a very good team, but that’s on us.
"We have to do our job first. We understand that and we’re ready for the challenge."
