By Noah Sidel,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Montreal – The last time the Alouettes stepped on the field, it was in front of over 66,000 screaming fans at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium.
The table was set – after an impressive 11-7-0 season under rookie head coach Marc Trestman, the Als were hosting the Calgary Stampeders in the Grey Cup at home.
It was not meant to be, however, as the Stamps took the Cup in a 22-14 win.
The last time the Toronto Argonauts stepped on the field, it was to close out what could politely be called a “rough” season, with a 45-38 home loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
After a pre-season full of hope with the acquisition of defending league MVP Kerry Joseph and a new coaching staff, the Argos shocked the league by going 4-14-0 and finishing third in the East Division.
Now it all starts anew for both teams as they play their first pre-season game this Wednesday night at Toronto’s Rogers Centre (7 p.m. – CKAC SPORTS, CJAD 800 AM).
The Alouettes will give quarterback Anthony Calvillo and veterans like Ben Cahoon, Bryan Chiu, the night off, giving a chance for rookies and fringe veterans to try and grab a spot with the CFL’s defending East Division Champions.
At quarterback, expect to see Adrian McPherson, Ricky Santos and Chris Leak, with two of those three potentially being slotted in as Calvillo’s backup and the third-stringer.
On offence, guys like Andrew Woodruff, Luc Brodeur-Jourdain, Dylan Steenbergen and Matt Singer will try to break into an established offensive line, while the SJ Greens of the world will try and establish themselves on a veteran receiving corps.
