Posted at 8:00 a.m.
The logic behind selling clubs
CF Montreal has said in recent days that it is a selling club as it battles for the top spot in its division. Where is the logic ?
Luc Halle
Response from Jean-François Téotonio:
You would have told the CF Montreal staff at the start of the year that it was going to be among the best teams in the league at the very end of the calendar, and you would probably have been laughed in your face. Yes, the CFM finally wanted to qualify for the playoffs in 2022. But from there to becoming one of the favorites for the title?
It is true that the CFM calls itself a “training club”. That is to say, he wants to develop his own players either through his academy, or by acquiring them at a bargain price, and then reselling them at a profit.
This is the model that Olivier Renard began to offer over his last three years as the team’s sporting director. And this year, the first dominoes began to fall. Djordje Mihailovic, after being acquired from Chicago about two years ago for less than 1 million, has just been transferred to the Netherlands for more than 6. Ka-ching.
But the team has always maintained that this model does not prevent them from achieving their goals of success on the pitch. If we had a little more trouble believing her at the start of the year, we have to admit that the strategy is working for her today. Talent still needs to regenerate after the possible and almost inevitable sales of Kamal Miller, Alistair Johnston, Ismaël Koné and company.
What’s going on with the Cowboys?
PHOTO MICHAEL AINSWORTH, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Dallas Cowboys’ Michael Gallup receives a pass during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 27, 2020.
After a good season, it looks like this one will be tough for the Dallas Cowboys. No receivers, how did they get there? Unbelievable.
Yves Gagne
Response from Miguel Bujold:
The Cowboys traded Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns and lost Cedric Jones Jr. to the free agent market. They added former Steelers James Washington, but he was injured during camp. At least Michael Gallup started training with the Cowboys again this week, recovering from a knee injury suffered last season. Receivers, there are a dime a dozen in American football, so it’s actually quite difficult to understand how the Cowboys could find themselves in such a situation. Because there is currently no safe bet except CeeDee Lamb.
And the Alouettes, them?
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Trevor Harris, of the Alouettes, faced the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Percival-Molson Stadium on August 4th.
Can the Alouettes go to the Gray Cup with a quarterback like Trevor Harris?
Marcel Matthew
Response from Miguel Bujold:
Harris plays as a star quarterback one week, then as a declining quarterback the next week. It’s hard to make up your mind about it. One thing is certain, to go a long way in the playoffs — if the Alouettes participate — he will have to be very well protected by his line. That’s always the key with him.
Quioto, the heart at the party
PHOTO GRAHAM HUGHES, THE CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Romell Quioto of CF Montreal during a game against Inter Miami on August 6
Why does CF Montreal’s Romell Quioto put his index fingers in his ears after his goals? Abroad, I understand that he wants to taunt the crowd who boo him, to say: “I can’t hear you.” But why does he do it in Montreal too?
Mario Bolduc
Response from Alexander Pratt:
This celebration was first popularized by FC Barcelona’s Memphis Depay. “I am blind and deaf to the outside world, explained the Dutch player. I don’t feel anything. I’m focusing. I think sometimes in life it’s important to have tunnel vision, and focus on delivering the best version of yourself, without being distracted. Quioto offered much the same explanation last August, saying he doesn’t always listen to what others have to say about him.
A matter of colors
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Annual golf tournament of the Canadian hockey club at the Laval-sur-le-Lac golf club on September 12
Hello, about ten years ago, the NHL swapped dark jerseys (on the road at the time) and pale jerseys (at home)… So the Canadiens played in white in Montreal. Other leagues followed suit. My memory failing me, what were the reasons for this change? And are there any plans to go back to the old days?
Francois Chartrand
Response from Richard Labbé:
In fact, NHL clubs returned to dark home jerseys in 2003. It was never said publicly, but it was a marketing idea first: that way local clubs would be able to wear their third sweater (often black), and thus, you will understand, be able to sell more rags in souvenir shops. I would like to shed a much more philosophical light on it, but it is impossible.