(Trois-Rivières) The Montreal Alouettes launched their 2023 training camp at the Cégep de Trois-Rivières Diablos stadium on Sunday, a camp that will be played under the sign of novelty.
The Alouettes have a new president, Mark Weightman, a new head coach, Jason Maas, and a new starting quarterback, Cody Fajardo.
Fajardo, who had a tough season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, wants to use this camp to prove to everyone that 2022 was just a hiccup.
“I want to earn the job. I don’t want it to be given to me automatically, ”he said after speaking the few words of French he has acquired since his arrival in Trois-Rivières on Saturday. “I want people to be happy that I’m the starting quarterback, that Danny Maciocia, Jason Maas and our new owner are proud to put me in the starting quarterback position.
“I want to earn that confidence and that’s my goal from the start of camp until the end of the season when hopefully we lift the Gray Cup.
PHOTO HEYWOOD YU, THE CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Cody Fajardo, new Alouettes quarterback
“It’s not every day that we get a second chance. I don’t want to take her for granted and I’m going to give it my all. »
Knowing Maas’ system of play should make it easier for him to lead the Montreal attack.
“That’s one of the main reasons I wanted to come here: my relationship with coach Maas. We know our strengths, our weaknesses and we know how to work together. As a quarterback, when you know the playbook and the terms used, you can work on your mechanics and that makes things easier. »
“It’s been a tough year for him, but also for coach Maas in Saskatchewan,” noted Maciocia. If you look at his career as a whole, he has a winning record. We’re talking about a 30-year-old quarterback who is able to complete plays with his legs. I think the people of Montreal are going to fall in love with this quarterback. »
Under the eyes of the big boss
Another great novelty of this camp: the team is counting on a Quebec owner for the first time in several decades in Pierre Karl Péladeau, who has come to spy on his new protégés for this first day of the camp.
The new owner admitted to being moved to see his team step onto the pitch for the first time.
“It’s impressive, very impressive to see his team on the pitch. It gives me the impression of having a very motivated team of coaches and managers,” said Péladeau.
“I’m really looking forward to the first game. I admit that [samedi], when I entered the meeting room, it was impressive to see this whole group. It’s very joyful and it creates a sense of identity, recognition and affection. »
To do: find a receiver noh 1
The next 21 days will be mostly used to find a new receiver noh 1, the team having lost the services of the best of the Canadian League in this position, Eugene Lewis, as well as the excellent noh 2 in Jake Wieneke. General manager Danny Maciocia and his group of coaches had also invited 21 receivers for this first training. A 22eChandler Worthy, will join the group on Monday.
“I spent the whole day watching our receivers,” admitted Maciocia. I don’t need to tell you that we lost guys like Wieneke and Lewis. I brought in 21 receivers. […] We have set ourselves the challenge of finding three or four and a few Canadians who will come and support their work. This will be the challenge for the rest of the camp and the two preparatory games, that’s clear. »
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Danny Maciocia, General Manager of the Alouettes
“There are 21 receivers here today for a reason. We want to find the guys who can play at a high enough level to play in this league, added Maas. Guys [de l’an dernier] who come back will be a key part of our training, but we want to find them a good support group. »
“There are four or five who stood out, but it’s only training, there was no competition 12 against 12, analyzed Maciocia. We will see how they will react when fatigue sets in. It’s quite a process, but we have a few players who can help us. »
Struggles are also expected to take place at the long snap specialist and fullback positions, as well as at the center of the offensive line.
The camp will conclude with the preseason game on June 2 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Percival-Molson Stadium. The club’s other preseason game will be played the week before, in Ottawa.
“Coming onto the field, with the off-season we had, it was hard to imagine that day,” said Maciocia, recalling all the obstacles he had to overcome this winter. ” We are happy. Everyone is excited to be here and training. We can’t wait to see this 2023 edition of the Alouettes. There are still three weeks and two preparatory games to this camp, but I think it’s promising. »