By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Montreal – If head coach Marc Trestman and his Alouettes plan on following the script that has prevented them from defeating a West Division team so far this season, then expect a loss this week when the Als host the BC Lions at Percival Molson Stadium.
With three straight convincing victories, however, momentum on their side, and a sense of revenge for their most recent loss – against the Lions in Week 5 – a rewrite may be in the works.
After outclassing the Argonauts in Toronto before the bye week, the Als and quarterback Anthony Calvillo are refreshed and will look to come out of the corner swinging against the Lions.
Credit the offensive line for that one, as since the arrival of new offensive line coach Vince Martino Calvillo has only been sacked 13 times in eight games, and only four times in the last four games.
Like the majority of the Alouettes roster, the offensive line had low expectations heading into the season, it was up to Martino to raise those expectations, and keep Calvillo healthy at the same time.
After eight games last season, the Alouette O-line had allowed 31 sacks, compare that to the 13 this year and it’s clear that Martino has achieved both his goals.
Having yet to lose since their Week 5 loss to the Lions in BC, the Als look to avenge the game which saw them blow a 17-6 first-half lead. It was beginning to look as if the Als were a first-half-only team, and were unable to finish what they started.
Since then however, Montreal has dominated the opposition, posting three-straight victories against East Division opponents, and amassing 111 points in the process.
Have the Als finally returned to their true CFL powerhouse form?
They’ve demonstrated signs of dominance on many occasions, and have been deemed the Beasts of the East by many. With their struggles against their Western counterparts, however, a win in this game will go a long way towards helping them reacquire the title of the CFL’s most feared team.
The road to the top continues for the Alouettes this Friday at 7:30 p.m. against the BC Lions (RDS, TSN, CKAC SPORTS, CJAD).
