I listened intently as quarterback Cody Fajardo and head coach Jason Maas spoke to the media after the Alouettes’ painful 3-17 loss in the rain to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday night. I was relieved because none of them came up with the famous cliché that a Canadian Football League season is long.
On the contrary, despite the smell of damp that permeated the small room under the stands at Percival-Molson Stadium, the two members of the Alouettes held their heads high and emphasized the importance of each game. There’s a sense of urgency and we’ve already talked about the next game, which is Sunday in British Columbia against the Lions.
• Also read: The case is in the bag for Mathieu Betts, the Alouettes need to be wary of the Quebecer
The real test begins for the Alouettes. This game will reveal the identity of the team and show how the Montreal team can overcome defeat.
Against the Blue Bombers, it was as if the Alouettes spent the game playing “King of the Mountain.” Winnipeg was at the top and when Montreal seemed to be able to climb a little higher, they always fell due to losses of the ball. Such difficulties must help shape a team’s character, and to win in western Canada the Alouettes must show staying power. This time, the Lions, who have won three of their first four games, are installed at the top of the Rockies. It’s up to the Montreal club to oust them.
Betts is looking for an NFL job
The task doesn’t seem easy for Fajardo and the Alouettes. The next opponents include in particular the Quebecer Mathieu Betts, who plays in the defensive line of the Lions. It is absolutely necessary to highlight here the accomplishments of this athlete who, in my humble opinion, is probably the best defensive line player in the entire CFL right now. Betts has seven quarterback sacks in four games. Even better, the Quebecer often gains full control of his actions when he knocks down the opposing quarterback.
Daniel Crump / Photo courtesy of the CFL
Betts is likely to benefit from the teachings of a former Alouette, John Bowman, who is the Lions’ defensive coach. After just four games, the Quebecois already seems on track to surpass the 19 sack mark that Bowman recorded in the Alouettes jersey in 2015.
I’ll take it a step further and say that because of the way he’s playing, Betts may be signing his return letter to the NFL right now. At the age of 28, he is physically at the peak of his potential. It takes a lot more than good offensive work against the Lions to counter him. Running back William Stanback is better off putting on his helmet as he will likely be called upon to block Betts and other Lions elements for multiple plays. Players who play as central defenders must also support the Alouettes’ offensive line.
Watch out for Vernon Adams Jr.!
Another player the Lions should keep an eye on will obviously be quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., formerly of the Alouettes. He threw six interceptions in a loss to the Argonauts on Monday night. Don’t worry about Adams Jr., he’s a quarterback who stays true to himself.
I think in Toronto he seriously underestimated the fact that his receivers were playing on a different surface, mostly grass, which didn’t allow him to cut the field that aggressively. In the second half of the game, the quarterback was just looking for a big play to turn things around.
Interview by Benoît Rioux
