Media notes
Depth chart – interactive/text
Roster (PDF)
Montreal (5-1-0) visits Winnipeg (2-4-0)
By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Montreal – The Alouettes’ Week 6 shutout over the Toronto Argonauts was in many ways an important win for Montreal.
But heading into the mid-stages of the CFL season, the two points gained in the win may prove to be the most vital of their five wins so far. Montreal has earned 10 out of a possible 12 points so far this year, but still sits just two points up on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a tighter-than-normal East Division.
As precious as any win may be in the eight-team league, divisional victories are by far a key factor in having success in the CFL. It should come as no surprise that the Als continue to be the set bar that teams would need to pass in order to enjoy such a success.
In only two contests against their own division, Montreal is 2-0-0 with a 46-8 advantage in points scored, including their shutout last week against the Argonauts. Since re-joining the league in 1996, the Als have an impressive 80-plus wins against the East and a .670 win percentage.
But this season, it’s clear that head coach Marc Trestman wants to be more than just the Beasts of the East.
Off to the ‘Peg
This week, the Als head to Winnipeg to take on the Blue Bombers at Canad Inns Stadium in a battle of two teams heading in different directions. Sitting in the cellar at 2-4-0, the Bombers have endured a rough start to the season.
Since pouring in 44 points in a win against Calgary, they’ve scored just 41 in three games and now face a difficult task when they host a stingy, fast and hard-hitting Alouette defence that leads the league in sacks with 20. Veteran rush-end Anwar Stewart leads the way for Montreal with five, good enough for second in the league.
Last week saw Winnipeg fall to the Stampeders 31-23, with quarterback Michael Bishop completing just 53 per cent of his passes and adding an interception, while tailback Fred Reid provided the majority their offence, rushing for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
Reid’s effort launched him into a one-yard lead for the league’s rushing yards totals at 486, while Montreal’s Avon Cobourne sits in second with 485.
Though Reid has a slim edge in yards, Cobourne has a distinct lead in touchdowns, leading that category with seven, two of which came last week against Toronto.
The Alouettes visit the Blue Bombers at Winnipeg’s Canad Inns Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 8 p.m. (RDS HD, TSN HD, CKAC SPORTS, CJAD 800 AM, 98,5 FM).
