Whether it’s offensive, defensive or special teams players, there’s been enough blame for everyone at the Alouettes since the start of the season. Their disappointing 2-5 record is there to attest to that.
Updated yesterday at 4:03 p.m.
But there may be an exception. Week after week, Eugene Lewis demonstrates why he is widely regarded as the CFL’s best receiver and certainly his club’s best player. Jaelon Acklin leads Lewis as the No. 1 receiver in yards, but if one were to poll the men’s football league, there’s little doubt Lewis would finish first in the standings.
Lewis currently has 36 catches for 619 yards (17.2 average) and 2 majors. He multiplied the spectacular catches and was at his best in 4e quarter.
But the difference between Lewis and many receivers is that he “really” puts the Alouettes’ successes ahead of his own. There’s nothing like a diva in a position where they abound. As you can imagine, the wide winger is therefore not a very happy man despite his great season.
I am a very bad loser. I hate defeat. There is always frustration when we lose and even more because we could have won all our games, except for the one in Regina.
Eugene Lewis
“We have to look in the mirror. If we find ourselves in this position, it is our fault. We can’t blame anyone but ourselves. At the end of the day, it’s up to the players to perform well. It is still possible to change the look of our season, but we have to stop talking and do it. »
Normally, the hopes of a football team showing a 2-5 record are hanging by a thread. However, the Alouettes have the chance to be part of the East Division, where nothing is decided yet.
A big challenge
The problem is that they are preparing to face the royalty of Canadian football, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Thursday evening (7:30 p.m.) at Percival-Molson Stadium, then August 11 in Manitoba. Remember that the Bombers have won the last two Gray Cups, as well as their first eight games of 2022.
Everyone is just talking about Winnipeg. Personally, I fear God, but certainly not a team because they are still undefeated.
Eugene Lewis
“We have to give them their due. They have been very successful for several years. But the identity of our adversary never concerns me. Whether you face the best or the worst team, anything can happen on the pitch. »
Like his receiving ace, Trevor Harris seemed a bit annoyed by all the flowers the Bombers are getting. Mentioning that one-sided games were rare in the CFL this season, the Alouettes quarterback added that there would be no parade in the event of a victory for the Birds.
In Danny Maciocia’s eyes, the Blue Bombers win because they’re always at their best when it really matters.
“They got six of their wins in the last three minutes of the game. […] They are very opportunistic and know how to win. »
The importance of the ground game
We can understand the Alouettes having no complex in front of the Blue Bombers. They have beaten them on their last two visits to Montreal. This time, however, they will have to do so without running back William Stanback (ankle), who could otherwise be back in time for the final month of the season, if all goes well by then.
Zach Collaros, Greg Ellingson and rookie Dalton Schoen play great on offense, but the Bombers’ biggest strength is their defensive front. In order to slow down quarterback fighters Willie Jefferson and Jackson Jeffcoat, in particular, the Alouettes will have to get good production from their ground game.
“We’ve had 29 runs in our last three games so we have to increase that total a bit,” admitted Maciocia.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Jeshrun Antwi
Canadian Jeshrun Antwi will share the job with a new carrier, rookie Tavien Feaster, who will replace Walter Fletcher in the lineup. This will be Feaster’s first game in the CFL.
The Alouettes have confirmed that linebacker Chris Ackie (ankle) will play after a five-game absence and that Pier-Olivier Lestage will be in uniform in a reserve role. Vernon Adams Jr. (elbow) has been on the six-game disabled list. Dominique Davis will therefore be the second of Trevor Harris for a second game in a row.