By losing 19-14 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday, the Montreal Alouettes have made their lives much more difficult. And head coach Khari Jones may have revived the question of the starting quarterback.
Saturday’s loss put the Alouettes back two places (6-5) in the standings in the East. From the first that it was at the start of the day, the Montreal club slipped to third place following the victories of the Toronto Argonauts (7-4) and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (6-5) this weekend.
The Alouettes fell behind the Ti-Cats because of the points differential in games between these two teams. Hamilton has the advantage by 14 points.
With the two consecutive games against the Blue Bombers (10-1) – next Saturday in Winnipeg, the next in Montreal – one more victory on the clock would not have hurt the Alouettes.
Without saying that these two meetings are lost in advance, they will be among the most difficult of the season, without a shadow of a doubt. Meanwhile, the Tiger-Cats face the BC Lions (4-7) and the Argos, who face the Rouge et Noir (2-10) in two weeks.
Jones also revived the question for the Alouettes’ starting quarterback by quickly removing Matthew Shiltz by Trevor Harris in the third quarter of the game.
It is true that Shiltz, who has the no 1 in the absence of Vernon Adams Jr., injured in the left shoulder at least until the end of the season, committed an interception which changed the pace of this meeting. It was, however, the first real blunder of the no 18 in three starts.
“It’s the coach’s decision,” said Shiltz when asked if he found that his coach had the quick trigger with him. We had a chance to win at the end so I can’t blame him. “
“As a competitor, I always want to be on the pitch. At the same time, I play when my number is called; it was not that time. I support Khari, I support Trevor: I want us to win games. In addition, this interception was one of the turning points of the meeting. “
“I needed to see a change of pace [en attaque], for his part explained Jones. I didn’t like what I saw of our attack, so I wanted to change the pace. If Matt hadn’t been in bad shape, I surely would have continued with him longer. “
Now who will start Saturday’s game in Winnipeg, Shiltz or nine-season veteran Harris?
“I will wait until next week [pour le dire], Jones said. I have already decided, but I don’t want to say it right away. “
“I’m preparing like I’m going to be the starter next week,” said Shiltz.
“It will be at coach Jones to decide, added Harris, who played the diplomacy card. I think Matt did a fabulous job replacing Vernon. He won the game against Ottawa and the all-important game against Toronto. If I am called in, I will do my best to win. But we play for the Alouettes, not for us. “
Pressed again later in the interview, Jones was unwilling to open his game any further.
“I wouldn’t say Trevor gives me more [que Matt ou Vernon], but it brings something different. I have directed against him for many years, so I know what he brings. He’s a smart guy who makes good decisions. That’s why we made the transaction to go get it. I like Trevor as a quarterback, but I also like Matt and Vernon. It is a quarter of quality. “
The question remains unresolved.