Larks | Jake Wieneke finds his legs

Mike Sherman’s stint with the Alouettes was a failure, we all agree. He ended his only season as head coach with a 5-13 record in 2018.

Miguel Bujold
The Press

But Sherman was right on at least one thing.

“Keep an eye on that Jake Wieneke. He’s not the fastest, but he knows how to find holes in a defense,” Sherman told me of the receiver, who was then a rookie. It was during training camp in 2019, days before Sherman was replaced by Khari Jones.

In his first two seasons (2019 and 2021), Wieneke had 97 catches for 1,467 yards. But he was first and foremost illustrated by his flair for spectacular catches and his penchant for the end zone. His 19 touchdowns in 32 games earned him the nickname “Touchdown Jake,” as well as a spot on the 2021 CFL All-Star Team.

But it’s a bit more difficult for Wieneke this season. Slowed down by a hamstring injury that sidelined him during camp and caused him to miss a game, the receiver has just 12 catches for 162 yards and no touchdowns in 5 games. The good news is that 5 of those catches came in his last game.

“The fact that he wasn’t able to practice (during camp) slowed him down a lot. We all want him to return to the form he has accustomed us to over the past two years. I think his game last Thursday was encouraging,” interim head coach Danny Maciocia said Tuesday.

Indeed, Wieneke played his best game of the season, in Ottawa, notably signing a nice one-handed catch. The inserted half believes that the trajectory of his season will continue to point upwards.

“I definitely wish I could have trained more often and gotten more reps earlier this season. This is important in order to establish a good rapport with the quarterbacks and the coaches. But I feel that things are going in the right direction. I feel better day by day. »

Wieneke doesn’t think the quarterback change had any impact on his production, even though he had had a lot of success with Vernon Adams Jr.

“I played several games with Trevor (Harris). He’s an extremely intelligent quarterback, who knows how to spot receivers who are uncovered, so that’s not a factor in my opinion. »

If Wieneke has to live up to a certain level of expectation, it’s because he started his career with a bang, which isn’t a bad thing. “I was lucky to get a starting spot very early in my career, but I have to keep improving. »

From secondary school supply

Wieneke spends his off seasons in the Minneapolis area, specifically in the town of Maple Grove, where he is from. It is in a secondary school in this sector that he does some substitution, among other things in French. But it’s not because he speaks French.

“I’ve learned a few things over the past three years, whether it’s grocery shopping or looking at directions on the road. I know the basics, but I was doing replacement in several different subjects, not only for French. »

The father of a 2-year-old boy and a 9-month-old girl, Wieneke is lucky enough to be able to spend the entire season with his family, who live in Montreal. This is not always the case for young American players who make a career in Canada.

“I am pampered. My family attended our training yesterday (Monday) and I was able to have fun with my son on the field at the end of it. It’s a wonderful situation. »

Wieneke could get his autonomy next February, but if it was up to him, he would be back with the team in 2023 and for several years.

“We discussed it recently, my wife and I. We love Montreal and the people, it really has become our second home. We like it and I like the organization and my teammates. So for sure I would like to stay here long term. »

The Alouettes will play their next game, Thursday, against the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton.

Trevor Harris honored

Thanks to his brilliant performance last Thursday in Ottawa, Trevor Harris was named one of the CFL Players of the Week. He completed 25 of 31 passes for 341 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. He was the main architect of the Alouettes’ 40-33 victory over the Rouge et Noir.