We are only a third into the Canadian Football League season, but already, the two points at stake Thursday night in Hamilton have great value in the eyes of Alouettes head coach Danny Maciocia. .
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The interim driver is keen to build on last week’s win over the Ottawa Redblacks, but he also recognizes that games against section rivals will be particularly important between now and the end of the campaign.
Is this duel against the Tiger-Cats one of those famous “four-point games” for the Alouettes, against opponents who are only two points behind them in the standings?
“It’s first the opportunity to start a winning streak,” said Maciocia. We have a great opportunity to get a second one. And the good news is that it’s against an opponent from our section. So that adds to the value of those two points. »
Better than their record
Yes, the opportunity is good for the Alouettes. Because if the team does not show the performance hoped for this year, with its record of two wins against four losses, “good” for second place, the Tiger-Cats are even less good.
In six games, Orlando Steinauer’s men show a sad record of 1-5. They are third in this East section where only the Toronto Argonauts have a positive record (3-2).
Maciocia also said he was surprised to see his rivals struggling so much.
“They are better than their record indicates, he points out. I believe that is the case with many teams in the East, including Ottawa [0-6] who, like us, lost close matches. »
“The Tiger-Cats are a talented team, which, unfortunately, lacks opportunism during its games, adds the coach. I expect them to be tough opponents and it will be a physical matchup. »
Photo Pierre-Paul Poulin
Dominique Davis at Alouettes practice last Monday.
Penalties and turnovers
This will be the first meeting between the Alouettes and the Tiger-Cats since last year’s Eastern semi-final, during which Montreal suffered a 23-12 loss.
As if it were a premise of one of their main problems this year, the “Sparrows” were guilty of 15 penalties in the game.
They had also suffered five turnovers. Two pitfalls, underlines Maciocia, that the Alouettes will “absolutely” have to avoid against a formation as “physical” as the Tiger-Cats.
“They are built in such a way as to impose themselves physically, he notes. They have good players on the defensive line and on the offensive line. And when they play in front of their fans, it’s a very hostile environment. »
reunion evening
Fired three weeks ago, former head coach Khari Jones will already return to the Alouettes Thursday night, he who has since been hired as a consultant by Hamilton.
To the local media, the Tiger-Cats driver said he could not bet too much on Jones’ expertise against Montreal.
“It’s a new diet, so we only have a small glimpse [de ce qu’ils feront] said Steinauer.
The Tiger-Cats will also be counting on the return of receiver Lemar Durant and running back Cariel Brooks, who were on the sidelines since training camp.
As for the Alouettes, they announced on Wednesday that the name of Vernon Adams Jr. had been placed on the injured list for the game in Hamilton.
Harris must be well protected
Trevor Harris is wary of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats defense, and he’s not the only one: for the Alouettes, the main order of Thursday night’s game will be to protect the starting quarterback.
The veteran was the spark plug for Montreal last Thursday in the 40-33 win over the Rouge et Noir in Ottawa. The American completed 80% of the passes he attempted (25 for 31), for gains of 341 yards and two touchdown passes.
These statistics earned him the title of MVP of the last week in the Canadian League.
“But the Tiger-Cats are a whole different challenge,” Harris said after practice earlier this week. Their defensive line is aggressive and they have a lot of good players in this position. »
Six bags in November
Recognized for his arms more than for his legs, the quarterback had also tasted the medicine of Hamilton during the Eastern semi-final last November, at Tim Hortons stadium, lost by the Alouettes on account of 23 to 12.
Thanks to pressure from the Tiger-Cats defensive front, Harris had been hit with six sacks. Two of them had allowed the locals to add points to the scoreboard.
Photo Pierre-Paul Poulin
Danny Maciocia
“The line of scrimmage will be important [jeudi soir]said interim head coach Danny Maciocia. We must protect Trevor Harris! If we are able to do it, it will increase our chances of going for the win. »
A long evening?
Although the quarterback had often been left to his own devices during this game, he still managed 28 of his 44 pass attempts (63%) and a touchdown. Figures more than honorable in the circumstances.
Seeking to vary the strategies, the product of Edinboro University also distributed the ball to seven different receivers.
Maciocia believes that the protection that will be offered to his starter will again be the difference between a win and a loss on Thursday night.
“If he is well protected, he will be able to distribute the ball to his receivers who, themselves, will be able to execute plays”, he declared, before adding: “Without this protection, this will be a long evening for us. »