I announce it to you at the start of this column: Danny Maciocia does not appear in the 5 favorites that I selected. For good reason, Maciocia is in a class of his own, he is out of category. In my eyes, he is quite simply the best general manager in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Point bar.
• Also read: Time to rediscover the pleasure of playing for the Alouettes
Despite all the injuries among the Alouettes, the team has a record of 11-3-1 and Maciocia is one of the main culprits. Now, after a well-deserved week off, Montreal will take the lead again on Thanksgiving Monday, October 14, against the Ottawa Rouge et Noir. This seems an ideal opportunity to recognize my favorites within the team since the start of the season. Here are my personal choices.
The supporters
Photo MARTIN ALARIE
I am informed that next Monday’s match against the Rouge et Noir will be sold out. Alouettes fans know how to treat champions when the game will have no stake in the standings. The team is already guaranteed to play the Eastern final at home on November 9. Once again, during this match, the fans risk being an important factor by making noise to disturb the opposing attack and make the work of the Alouettes’ defensive unit easier. The fans have already done it admirably well, several times, this season.
Tyrice Beverette
Photo MARTIN CHEVALIER
Defensive player Tyrice Beverette is having an extraordinary season with 97 tackles, also leading the CFL with four fumbles forced in 15 games. It’s Beverette’s preparation for each encounter that fascinates me the most. He often guesses the plays that are called by the opponent. I feel Darnell Sankey has a superb influence on him, making him a star player now.
Davis Alexander
Photo MARTIN ALARIE
Quarterback Davis Alexander is a role model. At 25 years old, he shows great maturity. Alexander would have the talent to be a starter in the CFL, but he is waiting his turn wisely. He is always smiling and shows enthusiasm. Alexander, who recently had to deal with the death of his father, was successful in the matches in which he participated. I see it in the long term in Montreal.
Geoffrey Cantin-Arku
Photo MARTIN CHEVALIER
Quebecer Geoffrey Cantin-Arku must be standing in a magic lamp, because for me, he is a genius. This rookie, who plays at linebacker, has the gift of making big plays at opportune moments. Sometimes he just deflects the ball, but that breaks the opposing attack. Cantin-Arku managed to adapt to the CFL and the defensive system recommended by Noel Thorpe, who, for his part, was able to place him in a position allowing him to be successful. My only fear for the 25-year-old Quebecer is to see him one day leave for south of the border, in the NFL.
James Letcher Jr.
Photo MARTIN ALARIE
These are all the special teams players who really helped the Alouettes offense have opportunities thanks to positioning on the field. That being said, my favorite goes to James Letcher Jr., kick return specialist. He is always threatening, so much so that the opponent often keeps his best elements of the defensive unit on the field to control him on special teams. Letcher Jr. also has the quality of taking care of the ball, almost never being a victim of turnovers.
–Comments collected by Benoît Rioux