(Montreal) It’s a kind of new era that begins for the Montreal Alouettes as of Thursday, when they visit the Toronto Argonauts. They will have to learn to live without William Stanback.
Posted at 11:58 a.m.
The running back suffered a serious left ankle injury in the Alouettes’ inaugural game (0-1) last Thursday. They then suffered a 30-27 loss against the Calgary Stampeders.
The 2021 CFL MVP finalist and the Ambrosie League’s leading running back in recent seasons had surgery on Monday and was on the injured list for six games, but his absence will be longer than that. .
Running backs coach André Bolduc said earlier this week that he was preparing to play the season without him. General manager Danny Maciocia, perhaps more optimistic, hopes to find Stanback for the last games of the calendar.
The ground attack will therefore rest mainly on the shoulders of Jeshrun Antwi. The Canadian did well when he was used last season and as a replacement for William last week, but he will now have to do it on a regular basis, which Bolduc hardly worries.
“It’s a big piece to replace, but the system works. It doesn’t matter who the running back is, the plan remains the same,” noted the one who is also an assistant to head coach Khari Jones.
“(The success of our ground game) is based on several elements put together: our excellent offensive line, but also the coaches, like Luc (Brodeur-Jourdain, at the head of the offensive line) and I who work from concerts throughout the year. I bring the concepts, the ideas, the structures and Luc tells me what makes sense or not. Our line is veterans, it’s the fun to work with these guys. »
Bolduc has already adapted its catalog of games so that Antwi’s talent is put to greater use.
“I added plays that I know Jeshrun has been doing for two or three years and used to play at (the University of) Calgary. He did some in training this week and I allowed him to do them in Toronto. It’s exciting for everyone to see that this kid will be successful. »
Defensively, the Argonauts have a new coordinator in Corey Mace, who arrives from the Stampeders.
“At the moment, he did the same things as in Calgary in preseason games,” noted Bolduc. He will bring his touch, but we know it: that’s what he did in Calgary. So we worked on two fronts this week, that of Calgary and that of Toronto. They have done almost nothing in preseason games, so we expect more than that. »
As for the Argos, they will play their first game of 2022, they who had a week off to start their season, which is not necessarily an advantage, believes Bolduc.
“The difficulty is for them. Last year, it was our case and it was difficult. You finish the camp and you have another week to wait, it’s hard. “Eating” the first shot is important, it helps you feel good. I think on their side, it’s going to take a sequence on each side of the ball before they feel good. Finding cohesion within the special units is also something that is not easy. So I think we have the advantage. »
The Argonauts still rely on McLeod Bethel-Thompson at quarterback and the excellent Henoc Muamba at linebacker. Their top free agent acquisitions this winter were receiver Brandon Banks and running back Andrew Harris, who had just had three 1,000-plus rushing seasons (including two 1,300-plus) before being limited to seven games last season.
In addition to Stanback, the Alouettes will be without defensive back Greg Reid and kick return specialist Mario Alford. The two men, who were also injured during the meeting in Calgary, did not train all week.
Kick-off at BMO Field is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.