First victory in a preparatory match | The Alouettes in eight observations

The Montreal Alouettes were back at Percival-Molson Stadium on Saturday evening for the first time since winning the Gray Cup. At the start of the preparatory schedule, the Montrealers won 30-13 against the Toronto Argonauts. Summary of the meeting in a few observations.

Good first impression of Cantin-Arku

The Alouettes’ first choice in the last draft, Quebec linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku, played his first game in five years in his native province, after a long stay at the American universities of Syracuse and Memphis. In front of his family, the 25-year-old left a very nice business card. Used in his natural position on the second defensive wave, it will be difficult for him to dislodge Darnell Sankey, ahead of him in the hierarchy. Still, he was one of the most impressive players on defense with four tackles and a forced fumble. He also played on special teams, where he should spend a good part of the season. “I’m satisfied with what I did, but there will be work to do on special teams. But I had a good match,” he revealed.

Charleston Rambo: a name to remember

He appeared in the spotlight for the first time during the Alouettes’ intrasquad game a week ago, and Charleston Rambo continues to make headlines. Not only because of his flamboyant attitude and his name worthy of the big Hollywood stars, but above all because of his athletic qualities. Coming from the prestigious University of Miami, the receiver was used in the third offensive wave, probably to avoid being seen by other formations. When called upon, the 24-year-old responded, with four successful catches for 71 yards. “I just want to be the best,” he admitted. When the ball comes, I want to make big plays. No matter what he [Jason Maas] want me to do, I will do it. » He represents a frankly interesting hidden card for the Montreal attack. He has all the qualities of a number one receiver.

Cody Fajardo in great shape

Fajardo was only on the field for the Alouettes’ first two offensive sequences, but he proved that he had lost none of his touch and was ready to pick up where he left off. Even his excellent start to the match was something surprising. With his foot on the accelerator, he called upon his receivers on almost every play with ambitious passes and explosive plays. The MVP of the last Gray Cup completed seven of his eight passes for 107 yards, in addition to throwing a touchdown pass. “I just wanted to score points. So to score on our first sequence, it certainly gave momentum. »

Fletcher as a potential starter

The fight looked set to be fierce in the Alouettes’ backfield. Who, Walter Fletcher, Jeshrun Antwi or Sean Thomas-Erlington, would take over from William Stanback as the starting running back? The answer came quickly in the game, as Fletcher, the most serious contender, was part of the first repetition of the game alongside Fajardo and the regular receivers. He ran the ball three times, for 14 yards. Antwi and Thomas-Erlington, in order, followed during the meeting.

Kaion Julian-Grant in relief

The Alouettes managers were impatient to see which receiver would step up during training camp. In Saturday night’s game, Kaion Julian-Grant was quarterback Cody Fajardo’s go-to man and primary target. The Canadian receiver’s qualities were never in doubt, but he was limited to nine games last season due to two injuries. He was smoking hot in this preseason game. He also scored the first touchdown of the game on a 48-yard pass.

The surprise named LeBlanc

Cre’von LeBlanc played 52 games in the NFL between 2016 and 2020 with the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles. Today, at 29, the cornerback is fighting for a position with the Alouettes. In his first match, he was amazing and he will undoubtedly be able to force the hand of Jason Maas and Danny Maciocia. He was in all the fights with four tackles. His sense of the game and his reading are his main assets. His addition would be quite a tour de force for the Alouettes.

The return of Lyon

If Nafees Lyon’s name is unfamiliar to you, it’s because a knee injury suffered early in the season kept him out of action for the remainder of the schedule. The cornerback started Saturday’s game on the first wave. He stayed on the second one. Then he even continued his evening of work on the third. Lyon is the only regular member of the team to have persisted this long in the match. The 27-year-old stood out with an interception and a return for nearly 30 yards in the first quarter. The fight between him, Wesley Sutton and Najee Murray will be thrilling to watch.

Shawn Lemon in uniform

He first announced his retirement, he was then suspended by the CFL for betting on league games, including one involving him, then he returned to the Alouettes camp because his case was appealed. Shawn Lemon, like last season, was part of the starting lineup on defense. Like the first offensive unit, it was on the field for only two sequences and it gave nothing. Like last year, we should expect big things from the unit led by Noel Thorpe.