The Montreal Alouettes find themselves with a record of six wins against three losses halfway through their season, just two points behind the Toronto Argonauts (7-1) and first in the East. This record that very few experts predicted for the Birds before the start of the season, general manager Danny Maciocia would have accepted it if it had been offered to him.
“Probably I would have signed right away,” he said as his proteges toiled away on the synthetic turf outside the Olympic Stadium on Tuesday.
“When you look back from January 1st, with all that we’ve been through, there are many great stories we’re writing. With all the changes we’ve been through, all the adversity we’ve faced and all the people we’ve surrounded ourselves with, here’s where we’re at, with a 6-3 record. Of course there are more stories to write in the second half, but I am very proud of the whole organization. »
What made the difference in this first half of the season in his eyes? Jason Maas.
“I think the most beautiful story, which we don’t talk about much right now, is that of Jason Maas. He accepted the job under less than ideal conditions. I told him to think about it properly, because I was not convinced that I would have accepted it in his place. We could not hire players, a situation that lasted almost two months. […] Without him, we are not here. The credit goes to many, including the players, football operations, but a lot of it goes to Jason and the coaching staff. »
“I wouldn’t say there were a lot of uncertainties,” Maas corrected after practice. I signed knowing that Danny Maciocia was going to be the general manager. It’s the only one I needed. I knew ownership changes were going to happen at some point, but I had 100% confidence in Danny. I knew that under his leadership, the team was going to do well.
“He is right about one thing though: I give my coaching staff a lot of credit for explaining our good first half. »
The departures of big names over the winter – Eugene Lewis, Trevor Harris, Jake Wieneke – and the many injuries suffered since the start of the season could have undermined the team. Again, according to Maciocia, it was thanks to Captain Maas that the ship did not sink.
“Look at the culture change Coach Maas brought about. His attitude when you lose a player, for him it’s just an opportunity to prove himself for the next one that will be inserted,” Maciocia noted.
“Again, it comes down to my coaching staff,” Maas said. They are doing a colossal job and the players have embraced our plan wholeheartedly. […] It takes a whole team to win football matches, not just one person. I am proud of the whole organization. »
“We must also recognize the work of our scouts,” added Maciocia. We have over 70 players here and probably another 35 that we can call tomorrow morning in case something goes wrong. I hope that will not be the case for the “second nine”, but it shows how all these people knew how to roll up their sleeves in the situation in which we were. »
Maciocia did not fail to highlight the work of his team of receivers, young players with very little experience who had to replace at short notice veterans unavailable since the start of the season, as well as his tertiary, also deprived of elements keys.
The Alouettes will kick off this second half of the season against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and there will be no last-minute decision at quarterback this week: Cody Fajardo was confirmed as of Tuesday as a starter for Thursday’s game.
Fajardo took all but two reps with the first unit during the very long — but unique — workout outside Olympic Stadium.
The Alouettes’ No. 7 has missed his team’s last two games. Caleb Evans took over, leading the Alouettes to two wins to extend their streak to four wins.
Head coach Jason Maas noted in his press briefing that he didn’t hesitate long despite the short week (the Alouettes played Saturday in Ottawa).
“The plan was always to put him back in the starting lineup as soon as we were sure he couldn’t aggravate his injury,” Maas said.
This injury to the left shoulder is not likely to be aggravated in the event of significant contact against the pugnacious defense of the Bombers (8-2). Fajardo assured that it is rather the way he hits the ground after a shock that caused this injury, not a tackle as such.
The Alouettes will be happy to find in Fajardo the one who occupied the third rank of quarterbacks on the circuit with 1,877 yards when he was injured. This total is still good for fifth place after two games away.
Evans completed 32 of 49 passes for 482 yards and 3 touchdowns against as many interceptions as a replacement for Fajardo. He added 111 yards and 3 touchdowns on 18 carries.
Other changes could be made in view of this meeting, which kicks off at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
Receiver Quartney Davis did not participate in practice and on some rosters kick return specialist Chandler Worthy was used as a receiver.
Worthy, who has been okay, nothing more, as a returner since the start of the season, has sometimes given way to running back Walter Fletcher on special teams.
Is this the formula that will allow the American to carve out a place in the starting lineup? The answer on Wednesday, when the Alouettes will release the position chart.
