When the Alouettes announced that four of their five offensive line starters had accepted an extension on the same day last fall, it was a clear message: Danny Maciocia and the organization believed that these four Canadian players formed the one of the strengths of the club.
Posted yesterday at 4:32 p.m.
Kristian Matte, Landon Rice, Philippe Gagnon, Sean Jamieson and the player who would occupy the position of left tackle would be at the heart of the offensive successes of the Birds. But after two particularly difficult games against the formidable defensive fronts of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Alouettes have decided to reshuffle the cards and are looking for the right combination on the line.
“All options are on the table,” Maciocia confirmed on Monday.
Among these, the possibility that Pier-Olivier Lestage gets his first career start, Thursday night in Winnipeg. The former Seattle Seahawks took several reps with the starters on Monday and should at least play more than in his first game last week. The Quebecer participated in a handful of plays on offense and on special teams during the first game against the Bombers.
“I feel ready, the assimilation of the playbook was not too complicated for me,” said Lestage, who trains as a left guard, a position normally occupied by Philippe Gagnon.
“It’s the reality of professional sport, no one is ever assured of their job. We have a 2-6 record, so we won’t hide, we have to try things, ”commented Gagnon.
“If it’s me who drops the sixth man and gets the shot, I’m going to come back to work next week to try to be a starter again. I don’t think there’s anything else we can do. This is the unpleasant side of professional sport. There are decisions that are made by people, and you have to live with them,” he added.
One of the other options being considered is to mute Matte to the center. It is Jamieson who would then find himself on the bench, while Gagnon and Lestage would be the guards.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Trevor Harris (7) was roughed up by the Blue Bombers last Thursday.
“Of course it’s been difficult lately, but personally, I’m watching the whole attack. Sometimes it’s the line that doesn’t do the job, other times it’s the running backs, the receivers or the quarterback. We form a group, we are 12 guys, ”recalled Matte.
The force of the war
Still, it’s normally offensive line play that dictates the kind of performance an offense has. An opinion shared by Maciocia.
“It’s the line that sets the tone. If we can give Trevor time [Harris], it is sure that our receivers will benefit from it. And I think our ground game would be productive, too.
“We have to move the defensive line. If you have the ball at the 35 line, you have to move it to the 33 line, and the only way you can do that is by being physical,” said Maciocia, who expects to more intensity of the quintet.
You have to have a little more dog and want a little more than the player in front of us.
Kristian Matte
And it is precisely for this reason that the Als are considering inserting Lestage into the starting lineup, even though he has only been with the team for a few weeks.
“He’s a player with a mean side, and everyone on the pitch will know he’s playing. It is this kind of attitude and fighting spirit that we need. It represents part of our future, but also of our present,” Maciocia said.
“The other linemen have that quality too, but you can never have too many of them. So if I can bring more to the field, that’s what I’m going to do, and I think it can’t help but benefit the team,” said Lestage.
A matter of time, according to Brodeur-Jourdain
While Luc Brodeur-Jourdain admits that it might be a little risky to send Lestage into the fray on a permanent basis on Thursday given his inexperience, the offensive line coach seems convinced that it is only a matter of time.
“As a starter, I would find it fast, in terms of knowing the staff of the players, the coordinators and the league. But to go sparingly giving him a few sets, I’d feel good about it.
“His approach, ethics, techniques and intensity are all professional, so I’m not worried. »
Also, after being off on Sunday, Trevor Harris and Eugene Lewis were back in practice on Monday. Hampered by a back injury, Harris will still start in Winnipeg.