(Montreal) The Montreal Alouettes had two receivers that we hadn’t seen for a long time in training this week: Greg Ellingson and Reggie White Jr. But you shouldn’t expect to see them in uniform on Saturday against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats or during the playoff games.
Alouettes head coach Jason Maas, however, indicated Thursday that at this stage of the season, the return of these two players to training was more of an insurance policy.
“They are healthy and ready to play, which is very good news for us,” Maas said. But it is more to make up for the loss of a receiver in training or in the playoffs that they will be used. »
Ellingson, hired on the free agent market by Danny Maciocia this winter, came to camp having the de facto No. 1 receiver position, Maas admitted at the time.
He has only played one game this season.
White established himself as a reliable receiver last year, catching 53 passes for 722 yards and a touchdown. He has not played a single game this season, after suffering a serious knee injury at the end of the campaign.
“They’re ready to play, but they hardly played at all in Ellingson’s case and none at all in White’s case. For them it is therefore a question of chasing away the rust. However, they were able to train all week, which is a good thing,” summed up Maas.
It is therefore as reserves that they should experience the playoff journey of the Alouettes (10-7), who will host the Tiger-Cats (8-9) on Saturday for the last game of the season at Percival-Molson stadium. The two clubs will face each other at the same place the following week, in the Eastern semi-final.
Stanback also back
After missing the last two games, running back Williams Stanback will be back in the Alouettes’ starting lineup on Saturday.
Maas established a very precise game plan to ensure that his No. 1 halfback was in great shape when the playoffs arrived, and both men assure that it worked wonderfully.
“We have three excellent running backs who can handle the task very well,” Maas said, referring to Walter Fletcher and Jeshrun Antwi. We asked William not to be selfish as a player, and he was a great teammate. I couldn’t be happier with the way he has played this season and his fitness heading into the playoffs. »
“It was the best thing for my health,” Stanback admitted. I agreed with him. »
Stanback, who has 752 rushing yards in 13 games, blamed his son for the virus that forced him to miss his team’s last two games, although he said he could have played before the last one. break of the Alouettes season. However, he and Maas agreed that he would miss this meeting.
“I trained, but it was already agreed that I would not play this match,” assured Stanback.
No. 31 of the Birds considers himself in better condition than most attacking halfbacks on the circuit at this stage of the season due to this carefully calculated use.
“My “cardio” is there, I feel very good […] Getting some time off in season like that, I realize it was good for me. I am 100%; I have all my legs and I don’t deal with minor injuries like all the other ball carriers in the league. I think I will be very effective in the playoffs. »
“He feels good,” added Maas. It’s clear, when you see him, that he’s got his legs back. It’s clear that even despite almost a month of inactivity, he is at his best. »
Cibasu in the spotlight
Receiver Régis Cibasu is the Alouettes’ candidate for the Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Trophy, which rewards a Canadian CFL player who best displays the attributes demonstrated by Canadian veterans, namely strength, perseverance, courage. , camaraderie and community involvement.
Cibasu was selected because of his versatility and the great respect he has for his teammates and the organization, in addition to his significant community involvement, notably with Sun Youth, a program which supported him in his youth.