The Alouettes may have won their first game of the season last Saturday at Percival-Molson Stadium, but victory tends to hide mistakes. It was general manager Danny Maciocia, who I met on the field immediately after the game, who himself reminded me of this reality.
There have indeed been many blunders in the Alouettes’ camp, but I won’t be too critical of the players because I myself made a mistake in my debut on the press gallery.
Quarterback Cody Fajardo had just completed a long pass to rookie Austin Mack, a 61-yard play, when I jumped out of my seat cheering. I love football so much that I cannot remain indifferent to such a game. It was quickly made clear to me that encouragement was forbidden in the world of journalists. Here is my little story! Nothing serious. Like the Alouettes players, I will have to adapt for the next games.
About the performances of Mack, who accumulated 120 yards through the air against the Rouge et Noir, they are very good news. Already, in future Alouettes games, he could be targeted by opposing defenses, which could open up the game for other receivers.
A chemistry to build
Regarding the errors hidden by the victory, we must admit that the chemistry is to be perfected between Fajardo and the offensive line. The quarterback was too often deep in the pocket, which allowed opponents to attack him. By stepping back like this, Fajardo made his linemen more vulnerable to being overwhelmed.
I also have in mind a pass captured by Nate Behar, of the Rouge et Noir, when he had just passed the end zone towards the end of the first half. On this sequence, the Alouettes’ defense was beaten, but we don’t talk about it because there was no touchdown. The pace of the match could then have changed completely. A disturbing fact: it should be remembered that the Montreal club did not face veteran quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, still injured, but Nick Arbuckle. The challenge would have been different. All in all, we must still highlight the excellent work of the defense and the special teams in this 19 to 12 win.
Makes some noise!
Among other positives, I liked the energy present in the Percival-Molson stadium. I felt like I was watching the return of Montreal fans. There was noise in the stadium which, without a doubt, remains an attractive factor for a local club. When the crowd roars as the opposing offense prepares, communication inevitably takes longer between the quarterback and the other players. Sometimes he has to call the game two or three times for everyone to understand.
Back when I was playing for the Calgary Stampeders, the Montreal crowd was rightly known to be very loud. It was mind-boggling! So I remember certain practices where, before visiting the Alouettes, we put on fake crowd noise at more than 100 decibels during our practices. It allowed us to prepare to face the Alouettes, but also the fans of the Percival-Molson stadium.
A beneficial break
The next game in Montreal will not take place until July 1, since after the current bye week, the Alouettes will first play their second game of the season, Friday June 23 against the Tiger-Cats, in Hamilton.
I also believe that the current respite of the team is not a bad thing. Concretely, it allows new players to better settle in Montreal and reduce their mental load, if only by buying some furniture on the classifieds. The organization can also take the opportunity to sharpen its blades. A great opportunity to assess the current situation of the team, identify strengths and…weaknesses. In short, to find how to correct the errors hidden by this victory in the first game.
– Interview by Benoît Rioux