After only scoring four offensive touchdowns in three games, the Montreal Alouettes have decided to shuffle the cards among their group of receivers.
Thus, during the last practice before the team flew to Vancouver on Friday, Quartney Davis and Tyler Snead took part in the exercises along with the first group of receivers, supplemented by Austin Mack and Keion Julien-Grant, who received most of Cody Fajardo’s passes so far, and Hergy Mayala.
Jake Harty, inserted into the lineup before the game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last week, was also used.
The arrival of Davis and Snead means Cole Spieker should be left out. The American Walter Fletcher could also bail, he who found himself more confined to the second unit.
Davis and Snead were eyeballs widened during last training camp, but the two Americans joined the Alouettes’ practice roster instead.
Tyson Philpot, who wanted to return to the roster, obviously did not get the green light from the Alouettes’ medical team, as he trained again with the other players whose names appear on the injured list for six games.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Tyson Philpot, last year, before he took number 6 and left 81 to Austin Mack
It is also possible that it is an administrative reason in order to respect the salary cap: a player whose name is prematurely removed from this list influences the salary mass of the team.
Halfback William Stanback, indisposed by a stomach virus during Wednesday’s training, had resumed his position alongside Fajardo. Jeshrun Antwi acted as the second running back.
Changes to Jason Maas’ roster for Sunday’s matchup against the BC Lions at 7 p.m. won’t be confirmed until the roster is announced on Saturday, however.
difficult week
With the heat wave, the Alouettes players paid a high price for their preparation for their next game. A few players were bothered by the heat, but the group of coaches did not slow down the pace.
“I am very proud of the work accomplished this week. I’ve been in Canada for 23 years and I can’t remember having two days in a row this hot, noted Maas. But we didn’t shorten the trainings, we didn’t decrease our work task. I think we have to suffer a little to get the best out of ourselves. They did it, on this point, it’s mission accomplished. »
PHOTO CHRISTINNE MUSCHI, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Alouettes head coach Jason Maas
“One thing is certain: we cannot question the level of commitment of our players,” said defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe.
This level of commitment continued in the weight room, where the players were invited after outdoor practices, as they do every week.
They took care of themselves for their rehydration and recovery, especially considering that we also lifted weights after those hard workouts. It’s good to see. These are the foundations of a winning team.
Jason Maas, Alouettes head coach
The Alouettes (2-1) will try Sunday not to increase the gap separating them from the Toronto Argonauts (3-0), who are enjoying a second week off since the start of the season.
“I think every week you have to forget the previous one. Last week it was good to be at 2-0: we slept better, everything seemed easier, admitted Maas. [Après notre défaite], we focused on us, on becoming better and enjoying being together here. We don’t want to lose any matches, we just want to learn from them. »
The Lions (3-1) will be looking to avenge their 45-24 loss at the hands of the Argos, in which quarterback Vernon Adams suffered six interceptions.