For the Back to back Grey Cup Champions, The Alouettes have had an incredibly busy off-season. You would think that Status-Quo would be the way to go. But winning titles has its downsides, like everyone else wanting a piece of that tasty winning pie. So if you have been hibernating or just decided not to pay attention the CFL or the Als he’s a quick overlook at what the Alouettes have been doing since the 98th Grey Cup in Edmonton.
Retirements:
- SB Ben Cahoon : Yup, Shocking News. #86 the all-time receptions leader in the CFL hung up the cleats. He loved Montreal and Montreal loved him. His press conference was a moment that he let fans and media into the real Ben Cahoon full of life and humour that was rarely shown outside of the Als Locker room. Even through his numbers were down in 2010 he will be the most missed by the club. Cahoon will continue in Football as a receivers coach at BYU
- C Paul Lambert: In an interesting couple of days, Lambert was released by the Als and chose the route of retirement after a couple of days thinking about playing elsewhere. Jim Popp asked Lambert to stay on but at a significant pay-cut. Lambert’s last 2 seasons have been filled with injuries allowing Luc Brodeur-Jourdain time to prove he can play at centre. Like Cahoon Lambert will join the College coaching ranks but a little closer to home with McGill.
Re-signings:
QB Anthony Calvillo: AC gets a brand new 2 year contract but better than that he’s healthy. In an emotional interview after the Grey Cup, Calvillo revealed that he had lesions on his thyroid that would need to be looked at. They were cancerous. But Calvillo’s treatment has been quick a success and he has been given the green light to prepare for the 2011 season as per usual.
LB Chip Cox: is here to stay. The dynamic linebacker who is coming off a career year has been re-signed in Montreal on a 4 year contract. Expect Cox to make plays in Montreal for a long time.
WR SJ Green: was being pursued once again by NFL clubs but Jim Popp convinced the high-light reel catching wideout to stay in Montreal with a 3 year contract. The big question is will they use him at the slotback position where Cahoon was or use him on the outside, either way expect big plays.
WR Jerry Porter: Former NFLer is in the fold in Montreal, but we’ve seen that train before (see OJ Santiago). There is a relationship with Trestman from his Raider days.
Plus, DB Jerald Brown (3 years), DL JP Bekasiak (3 years), LS Martin Bedard (3 years), RB Brandon Whitaker(2 years), WR Danny Derisveaux (2 years), RB Ahman Green –Yup the Former Packer(2 years)
Free-Agency Losses:
RB Avon Cobourne: The beloved Grey Cup MVP of 2009 is no longer an Alouette and it was all about money. It’s the CFL, No one in their right mind would blame another player for leaving an organization for greener pastures (pardon the pun). Avon will get $55 000 up front and $75 000 for the next 3 seasons from the Hamilton Ti-Cats. So don’t worry Als fans you’ll see plenty of Cobourne. Look for a battle at training camp in Hamilton with DeAndra Cobb. For the Als I think its Whitaker’s job to lose.
WR/R Andrew Hawkins: Off the NFl, he signed with the St.Louis Rams. Plus he’ll be in Geogre Clooney’s new Movie The Ides of March.
Plus, WR/R Larry Taylor (Cal), DL Shawn Mayne (Win).
ON the free Agent Market: QB Chris Leak, K Damon Duval, LB Ramon Guzman
Free Agent Acquisitions:
DB Dwight Anderson: Probably one of the bigger defensive names out there and Jim Popp decided to go out of his house to help improve the defensive backfield. Anderson is known for his big trash talking mouth. But he can also bring it, with 5 INTs last season for one of the best defensive cores in the league in Calgary. With Brown, Parker and Estelle already in the fold, the Als DBs will line up nicely with their star receiving core
S Tad Crawford: A Canadian safety go figure, from the BC Lions. He’ll battle with Etienne Boulay for starting time. What about Matt Proulx, don’t be surprised if he’s added to the retirement list, but he can still play (when healthy).
RB Yvenson Bernard: from Win. He’ll attempt to grab that starting position at RB. For all those RBs trying out, note of advice, make sure you can pass block.
Coaching Staff:
Def Coor Tim Burke: is no longer on Staff, he accepted the same position with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Burke wants to be a Head Coach in the league and did not see a future in Montreal
LB coach Tim Tibesar: is your New DC in Montreal. An Alouette move by promoting within, he’ll still work with the Linebackers.
DB coach Daronte Jones is the newest Coaching staff Member, Jones was a defensive assistant with the UCLA Bruins in the NCAA last season.
HC Marc Trestman: Nominated for the third consecutive year for Coach of the year in the CFL. He’s up against Ken Miller and Jim Barker, Trestman won it last season.
News and Notes:
-Former Alouettes Head Coach Don Matthews and Former Alouettes WR Terry Vaughn are both to be inducted to the CFL Hall of Fame in 2011
-Random Signings: RB Remene Alston Jr., DE Jermaine McGhee, LB Buster Davis, QB Paul Smith and WR Reggie Smith, R Rashaud Slaughter.
-LB Mike Labinjo was acquired via trade form Calgary but the Alouettes voided the deal due to concerns about his injured elbow.
-The Alouettes have had informal conversatiosn with former Ti-Cats Kicker Nick Setta
-Still no indication on the Alouettes new Team President
Well like I said it’s been a busy off-season and it will only continue. I’m sure I missed something along the way but I used to be a Kicker, so 80% is satisfactory.
