Larks | Another form of indiscipline

What was reproached to Khari Jones when he directed the Alouettes, it was the indiscipline of his players. You will admit that it is therefore a little ironic that his former team totaled 13 penalties for losses of 193 yards in its first game since the dismissal of Jones.

Miguel Bujold
The Press

Danny Maciocia generally liked what he saw from his players last Thursday. But the interim general manager and head coach admitted the numerous penalties were to blame for the 32-31 loss to the Edmonton Elks.

“The only thing we did was instead of taking penalties for roughing up the quarterback, we took penalties for interfering at the receivers’ expense. The good news is that we didn’t get unnecessary 15-yard penalties, the bad news is that we have to line up the right way and judge the ball better when it’s in the tunes,” commented Maciocia after practice with the Alouettes on Monday afternoon.

“I think we played well, but we have to learn to finish our games the right way. You have to win when you have a 19-point lead. »

The Alouettes’ difficulties in closing the books are nothing new, but that’s obviously no longer the problem for Jones, who officially joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Monday. His position will be that of a football operations consultant.

Barron Miles was fired at the same time as Jones, and his position as defensive coordinator is now filled by Noel Thorpe. The Alouettes believe that the implementation of a new game system is also the cause of the many penalties taken by the unit on Thursday night.

“I don’t want to use that as an excuse, but we have a new coordinator. We have to familiarize ourselves with a new system and it’s a lot of adaptation, because it’s completely different from what we had learned over the last year and a half, ”explained safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy.

Another start for Harris

Even though the Alouettes have lost their last two games, Maciocia will not make a change at quarterback. This means that Trevor Harris will get a fourth consecutive start, Thursday night, in Ottawa.

Maciocia, however, would not say if the veteran would keep his position in the event of another loss against the Rouge et Noir, which lost its first five games of the season.

” I do not know. But I know it will be Trevor Harris on Thursday. I’m not the most patient person, but Trevor will be our starter on Thursday. »

Sooner or later, the Alouettes will have to decide on Vernon Adams Jr.’s future with the team. Bonus playing time could increase the value of Harris’ contract significantly. If it becomes likely that he will reach them, the organization could choose to trade Adams Jr., who commands a starting salary.

“I’m still happy in Montreal, but it will be the organization’s decision. We’ll see what she decides to do with me. I love Montreal, it’s where I started my professional career and I love our fans. Even though I’ve played for other teams, I’ve been with the Alouettes in each of my CFL seasons, so this is home to me,” commented Adams Jr.

“I think I have the right attitude since being relegated to second. I support my teammates and I stand ready to play. »

“We have good assistants”

As he indicated in the days following Jones’ departure, Maciocia will be giving his coordinators a lot of freedom over the next few weeks. Whether it’s Thorpe (defense), Byron Archambault (special teams) or Anthony Calvillo, who is the de facto offensive coordinator in the absence of having the official title.

“I am an interim coach, and we have good assistant coaches. The organization is lucky to have good assistants like them,” said Maciocia.

“I would say that my job description is to manage all that and make important decisions, for example in a third down situation or for a fixed game. I manage the match, but they are the ones who will choose the games.

“I feel comfortable, but am I used to this role? No way ! I found it a bit difficult [jeudi], but that’s part of the current situation. »