Off Season Alservations- In case you Missed it

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.

Post Game Alservations: Als Well that Ends Well

It is a day late, but yesterday was a travel day, so without further ado the final Post Game Alservations of the 2010 season

-Even in the chill of Edmonton, I don’t think many people thought it was going to be a 39 total point game.

-Congrats to Jamel Richardson, who not only made any catch coming his ay, bu the timing of his catches really earned him the MVP.

-It seemed that SJ Green took over the job of Kerry Watkins on Sunday, making space for #18.

-I bet if he had even just 1 TD pass, AC is your game MVP.

-The OL made great adjustments after the first half, after allowing a couple of sacks early.

-Only 12 touches from Wes Cates, I felt Ken Miller Abandoned him too early in the game.

-Darian Durant is 0-2 in Grey Cups, Well AC was once 1-5, He’ll get his, Durant is a quality QB.

-Despite a rollercoaster season, #17 Billy Parker played tight and aggressive against the Sask Recievers,

-the Whole secondary that was being attacked stepped up and held string throughout the game.

-If Als fans are wondering, Vancouver has more than one 5 star hotel for Grey Cup 99.

-It most possibly could have been Ben Cahoon’s final game in an Alouettes uniform, don’t be surprised if Matt Proulx played his final game the week before. ACL injuries are tough on Football players.

-If Marc Trestman were to live for the State of Minnesota in NCAA or NFL. I think that the Als would be well placed under Scott Milanovitch, who has been learning for the Best CFL coach or three years running.

-Now learning what AC has gone through this season, anybody want to change their Most outstanding vote?

-Avon’s 2 TDs gives him 6 TDs in 6 games as a starting RB in the playoffs.

-Damon Duval struggled for the second straight grey Cup and was sub-par by his own accord all season long. Finding a Kicker that can Kick and Punt is hard to do. The Als have to play this one right, but first thing should be to bring in competition for Training camp in June in 2011.

-Grey Cup Parade is on Wednesday, get those work excuses ready today.

-I wonder how gaudy the 2010 Grey Cup ring will be

Grey Cup Predictions

Predictions are fun, and if you get them wrong who cares...
But if you get them right, then it's gloating time!

Via Twitter:
@7chose 33-29 Als
@heymynameiswill 31-28 Riders
@kristinaashqar 39-36 Als
@sluuby 42-17 Als
@shrekness 34-24 Als

Mitch Gallo, CP & TEAM 990, 30-27 Riders
Conor McKenna, TEAM 990, 29-27 Als
Nick Murdocco, The Franchise, 38-29 Als
Nick Russo, CJLO, 38-35 Als
Moe Khan, Midnight Snack, 37-24 Als
Trex Griffin, Midnight Snack, 27-21 Als
Sara, my GF, 24-13 Als
Tony Marinaro, Montreal Forum, 28-27 Als
Crazy Pierre, he's nuts, 34-31 Als
Jack Bedell, proplayers.ca, 28-24 Als
Randy Tieman, CTV, 31-26 Als
Sean Campbell, MFG, 33-31 Riders

there you go ENJOY!

Grey Cup 98-Keys to Victory

It's been a rather tame week for the Alouettes and Roughriders heading to their Grey Cup match this evening. besides the Als claiming second class treatment but that has nothing to do with on field play.

That is where we will focus MFG's Keys to Victory for both sides

How the Alouettes will win the Grey Cup:

-Offense, They will need to convert most drives into Touchdowns. Field goals will help however, short Field goals from the redzone could come back and haunt them.

-No dropped balls from Jamel Richardson, I think everyone knows how explosive and strong #18 is, however is is prone to drop some balls on occasion, that cannot happen in this game, it will stall drives.

-get Avon Cobourne involved, Last week I thought the magic number for Avon against Toronto was 16 touches, On his 16th he scored his TD and went on to dominate the Argos Defence. Magic number today 14 touches. AC will need him in pass protection.

-Defensive stand early, an early two and in most games for the Alouettes defence amplifies their game the rest of the way, its been that way all season.

-Tackling Darian Durant, When an Alouettes defensive player as a hand on him, they cannot let him loose. He will make you pay.

-Minimum 2 turnovers, 1 may not be enough.

-Focus on the game not the crowd, the Alouettes have not been strong on the road all season long, just like last year the Rider fans travelled in droves, it will be 85% green in Edmonton.

How the Roughriders will win the Grey Cup:

-Scoring, the Als will score, so Saskatchewan will have to be able to go shot for shot with them, just like they did in the Week one thriller.

-Keep Kerry Watkins under wraps, his sideline and deep play opens up the middle of the field for Jamel Richardson, if he has 4 or less catches, The Riders will be pleased.

-Wes Cates, He is a double threat just like Cobourne, With the pressure that will be forced on Durant look for Draw and Screen dump offs. If he turns them into first downs, it'll be a long day for the Als D. He Needs a Minimum of 17 touches in the
cold.

-Hit Anthony Calvillo, it may not be a sack and it may be a penalty but its cold and AC likes his comfort, they need to make him uncomfortable, look for the rushes to come on the left side of the line.

-Patience, the Alouettes drives may be quicker and shorter, but Durant may want to take his time down the field and keep AC cold on the sidelines.

Either way it I think we are in for another treat from these two teams, I would be pretty shocked if one team blew out the other. If there is going to be a blowout, I can only see the Als putting their foot down. For the Riders their victory will have a flare for the dramatics.
Predictions, coming next!

It's a Rematch... I think the CFL can sell this game

Post Game Alservations: AL-berta Bound

Well the Alouettes are back on top of the football world after taking the last month off. Big victory 48-17 over the Argos, I'd like to say I told youso but I predicted 47-16, maybe next time.

On to the Alservations...

-3 straight 2 and outs on defence, a 53 yard bomb for a TD and an 85 yard Punt return for A TD is one hell of a way to get 58 021 fans into a game quickly.

- Avon Cobourne is a playoff performer, check the numbers: in 5 playoff games as a starting RB he has 89 touches for 609 yards and 4 TDs.

-AC looked rested after a couple of weeks off, dont't you think.

-John Bowman and Chip Cox both showed why they are the leaders on this team defensively, Cox led the team intackles with 8 and Bowman had 2 sacks.

-Both Matt Proulx and Mark Estelle were injured in this game, Looks like a knee injury for Proulx, more to come tomorrow.

-Eric Wilson said it best after the game 'If you really want to talk you better show up, Montreal is a team that can back it up and we found out today that Toronto is not'

-Cleo Lemon looked lost and thats a props to Tim Burke and his defensive game plan.

-Kerry Watkins brings a different dynamic to this Als line-up, he's a guy that opens lanes up for himself and his teammates.

-I don't think Hamilton would have faired any better.

-Toronto's Defence got AC to the turf three times in the Als first two drives, which is what they wanted to do, however they trailed 10-0.

-Cory Boyd may have played his last game in the CFL' not because he was hurt, but because he is NFL good.

-At least Duval didn't miss a FG, he only had it blocked...

-And good for Tim Maypray, alot of eyes were focused in on him... except Toronto's Punt cover team...

-Despite all speculation to the contrary, Paul Lambert is going to The Grey Cup to cheer on his teammates.

the Alouettes leave on Tuesday for Edmonton, still not sure if MFG is hitting Alberta this year, nonetheless we will have it covered for you.

Press Box Predictions

Alouettes and Argos

Who is taking who...

Mitch Gallo, Team 990 & CP, 33-13 Alouettes
Randy Tieman, CTV & TEAM 990, 44-12 Alouettes
Arash Madani, Sportsnet, 18-16 Argos
Steve McCormick The Score, 45-14 Alouettes
Mark Lidbetter, The Suburban, 27-14 Alouettes
HerbZ, The Gazette, 30-23 Alouettes (accrding to www.alsinsideout.com)
Moe Khan, TEAM 990, 38-17, Alouettes
Sean Campbell, Myself, 47-16 Alouettes

Enjoy the game, Here's hoping for excitement throughout the afternoon.