Looking to 2022 | The Alouettes’ sites

No one in the Alouettes is happy with the last season, which ended ten days ago. The team did not perform up to expectations, and indiscipline was a big factor in these disappointing results.

Miguel bujold
Press

But the organization is now looking towards 2022, when several cases will have to be settled over the coming weeks and months.

Take a look at the main projects on which general manager Danny Maciocia and the Alouettes will be working during the offseason.

The first domino

The first major decision the Alouettes will have to make concerns the future of head coach Khari Jones with the team. Even though both sides have expressed a wish to continue their association, according to the latest news, nothing has yet been confirmed. Jones has only one season left on contract, who has basically said he would agree to lead the team in 2022 even if he doesn’t sign an overtime by then.

The team’s lack of discipline in 2021 has been a serious problem, and general manager Danny Maciocia has made it clear that some things need to change in order for Jones to keep his job. This is the first domino that will have to fall before the other parts of the equation can follow.

Adams son in good graces

The second most important decision of the offseason for the Alouettes: the starting quarterback for the next season. What we do know is that Vernon Adams Jr. is in the good graces of the organization and that he is very much loved by a majority of people. Adams Jr. certainly doesn’t have the same arm power or precision that Trevor Harris has, but he does have several qualities Harris doesn’t have, starting with good mobility. Adams Jr. helps his line with his ability to pull out of his pocket when there is too much pressure.

Recall that Harris lost the ball three times after being struck behind his line in the Eastern semi-final in Hamilton. Adams Jr. was often in top form late in games when he absolutely had to, which Harris has rarely been in his career. Add to that the age difference between the two players (Harris will be 36 at the start of next season while Adams Jr. will be 29), and the fact that the Alouettes are currently leaning towards Adams Jr. should come as no surprise. anybody.

Who will protect the blind spot?

Danny Maciocia wasted no time keeping 80% of his offensive line intact for 2022 as he recently struck two-year deals with guards Kristian Matte and Philippe Gagnon, center Sean Jamieson and tackle. right Landon Rice, all Canadian players. However, the most important position of the quintet remains to be filled, that of left blocker.

Tony Washington’s contract will expire in February, and it may be time to make a change. Washington has been injured for much of the season and will turn 36 this winter. The Alouettes could opt to replace him with another player who is currently part of the club and who could become a free agent in a few months, Chris Schleuger. Every time Schleuger has played, he has done well with the Alouettes. He’s 10 years younger than Washington and surely wouldn’t command a very high salary for a left-tackle.

Lewis, Wieneke, or both?

Eugene Lewis and Jake Wieneke aren’t just two of the CFL’s top receivers, they’re also two of the Alouettes’ top players. Will Danny Maciocia manage to keep the two men in Montreal, them who will obtain their autonomy in February? Otherwise, we can assume that a few young receivers who will receive modest salaries will have to hatch and play an important role next season.

Reggie White Jr. is expected to be one of those players and Quan Bray is under contract for another season. BJ Cunningham and Dante Absher will be free to negotiate with the team of their choice in two months and dust. In addition to their game, Lewis and Wieneke are good team players who lead by example and have an exemplary attitude, which is not so often seen in receivers.

Spoiled for choice

When discussing his priorities before the free agent market opens next February, Danny Maciocia mentioned the names of a few defensive linemen during the Alouettes’ staff report last Thursday. Nick Usher, Woody Baron and Michael Wakefield to be more specific. That’s not to mention Quebecer David Ménard, who should be back in the nest if the price is fair to both sides. Almondo Sewell and Jamal Davis II are already under contract for 2022.

Maciocia wanted to improve the defensive line in his first season with the Als and he did. He will certainly want to make sure that he keeps this knowledge. In the tertiary sector, the Alouettes will also be spoiled for choice as Greg Reid, Patrick Levels, Monshadrik “Money” Hunter, Najee Murray and Tyquwan Glass could all test the market. Reid, Levels and Hunter should be the priority.

Any changes to special teams?

Danny Maciocia made many smile when he said, during the end-of-season review last Thursday, that he sometimes felt, watching them play that the Alouettes’ kicking return units did not know that they could perform blocks … There was also a lot of talk about the indiscipline of special units during this meeting with journalists.

The Alouettes have given up a few long kicking returns and achieved very little in 2021. In short, with the exception of kickers David Côté and Joseph Zema, the Oiseaux special teams have been a weakness this season and significant changes could follow. The team’s special teams coordinator since 2018, will Mickey Donovan be back?

Mario Cecchini’s tenure

The Alouettes made the right decision by choosing to stop offering free tickets in industrial quantities. In addition to distorting the deal, this strategy was not respectful for paying customers, as club president Mario Cecchini himself pointed out last Thursday. While the audience has been a bit disappointing, the numbers overall have been better, after a year of inactivity and while the pandemic is still not over.

A few factors can explain this progression: a better team than during the desert crossing from 2016 to 2018; the arrival of Cecchini and Maciocia, as well as the increasingly important place occupied by Quebecers in the team; then the presence of some star players like William Stanback, Eugene Lewis and Jake Wieneke, in particular.

The organization must continue to build on this modest success, and Cecchini’s mandate will be to improve the club’s presence in the Montreal and Quebec landscape. The president has the necessary contacts in the business world, and the closeness between the team and his audience seems to be close to his heart, which is currently not so easy to do due to COVID-19. Expanding the target clientele, particularly in different cultural communities, should also be an important objective of the club.

We saw that the Canadian would not do any favor to other professional teams in Montreal when he announced the departure of Marc Bergevin in the middle of the Alouettes playoff game on November 28. Cecchini and the Alouettes will therefore have to keep fighting to find their place.