After spending half of the season without an official fullback, the Montreal Alouettes will rely this season on a committee in this key position in the attack of head coach Jason Maas.
Without returning to the incidents that shook Danny Maciocia’s squad last August, the loss of Christophe Normand, accused of luring a teenage girl for sexual purposes, left a gaping hole in the Alouettes’ backfield, already deprived of services. running back William Stanback for most of the season.
Alexandre Gagné, called in reinforcement of the special teams, held the position for a few games, as did the running back Jeshrun Antwi. The team has also used a sixth lineman on occasion. But none of those players have been used in any function other than clearing the way for the ball carrier or acting as a blocker on aerial plays.
That won’t be the case this season.
The Alouettes repatriated James Tuck, who began his career in Montreal, but who mainly played under Maas in Edmonton, in addition to drafting former Rouge et Or David Dallaire with their second-round pick, 13e in total, and Jacob Mason (5e turn 39e) in 2023.
These three players, in addition to Gagné, share the rehearsals at the Alouettes camp, at the Diablos stadium at Cégep de Trois-Rivières.
“Tuck, Dallaire, Mason, Gagné: they’ve all done a good job so far,” Maas said earlier this week. I will even add Régis Cibasu and offensive linemen to this position to ensure that our offense has a fullback in good and due form. »
Maas is adamant his centre-back won’t just block.
“That’s why we went for James Tuck, because he’s the guy with the most experience in the system we want to play, but I would say Gagné has improved a lot, like Mason. Gagné, who is one of the key players on the special teams, did very well when we used him. Obviously Cibasu’s jig makes it perfect for use there. We are very excited about this group. »
“It’s clear that Tuck is the most experienced of the group, on the field and with the system of coach Maas, but he shares his knowledge with the youngest, ”said Tyrell Sutton, halfbacks coach.
“It’s an important position, which we will use a lot,” continued Maas. We will use several offensive formations, and it is important that all personnel can become a potential weapon. Anytime you have an athlete who can do more than block in that position, who can carry the ball or catch passes, you have to use them. That’s what we want to do. »
“It’s a lot more than a blocker, but it’s true that at its core, it’s a blocking position,” admitted Tuck, who has the physicality for the job, at six feet and 230 pounds. It is a difficult position, which requires character. What we want is for Cody to stay on his feet and clear the way for our running back. »
Because it’s obvious that with Stanback healthy, it’s no secret that the Alouettes will often bet on the ground game. But in Maas’ system, centre-back will be more of an option.
“It does not require me to adapt a lot, because it is very similar to what we did at the Rouge et Or, especially during the last season, for his part indicated Dallaire, who has a format very different from that of Tuck, at six-foot-three, 217 pounds. You mostly have to learn the patterns, but it’s a system I’m very comfortable with. »
He is especially happy to arrive at a club where his position is valued.
“It was one of my wishes to find myself under the orders of a coach who values the play of the centre-back. On this point, it is mission accomplished! »
As these lines were written, Tuck didn’t know if he was going to be in the roster for Friday’s first preseason game in Ottawa. Maas said he wants to play several players with less CFL experience, which means Dallaire and Mason should see plenty of action.