By Jack B. Bedell,
MontrealAlouettes.com
The second week of CFL pre-season usually affords clubs the opportunity to give their starters extensive playing time to establish some kind of rhythm heading into the regular season. Unfortunately, when starting spots are still very much up for grabs, there’s hardly a surplus of reps available for evaluation.
When the Toronto Argonauts head into McGill Stadium this Saturday (1 p.m. – CJAD 800 AM), they will be bringing a heated battle for the starting quarterback spot with them. All four Argos QBs should see the field, and with the top spot to sew up, the ball should be in the air early and often.
H2H: Toronto’s QBs vs Montreal’s secondary
Besides all the drama Toronto’s situation at pivot provides this weekend, it also sets up an interesting match-up for the Alouettes’ secondary, which has its own battles for playing time raging.
Toronto’s QBs: A four-way battle
For the Argos, former-NFLer Cleo Lemon seemed to be emerging as the favourite to inherit the starting job in training camp until last weekend’s uneven performance against the Hamilton Ti-Cats. Lemon completed three of 10 passes for 41 yards, and while he was the victim of a few drops, he looked uneasy in the pocket more often than not against the Hamilton’s active secondary.
Former Queens Golden Gaels pivot Danny Brannagan didn’t fare much better, completing three of 11 passes for 31 and an interception, overthrowing several balls and having some difficulty with the tempo of the game.
The performances of Lemon and Brannagan really opened the door for Dalton Bell and Ken Dorsey, who put in much more effective games against Hamilton, combining to go 15 of 27 for 190 yards. Both should see extended time against the Als this weekend in a final push to stake their claim on the number one spot.
Montreal’s secondary: Which young gun will step up?
In the Als’ secondary, several young players are vying for time at cornerback, and all the extra work in pass defence should be exactly what the doctor ordered in the final dress rehearsal before the real games begin.
On one side of the field, second-year Alouette Paul Woldu might have the inside track to start at corner after his excellent performance last week against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Woldu racked two tackles and a nice pick against the Bombers, and I’m sure he’ll be looking to make plays against Toronto to put a lock on a starting spot himself.
Woldu will be pushed by newcomers Alex Chandler and Sir Snowden, though. Chandler had a fine game last week as well with six tackles, and Snowden will be more than eager to show what he can do considering this weekend’s game may be his only shot to impress the Als’ coaching staff.
On the other side of the field, veterans Mark Estelle and De’Audra Dix might not have nearly as much at stake in terms of securing a roster spot, but it’s a safe bet they’ll be licking their chops at the chance to snag a few picks with so many balls in the air this Saturday.
It should make for some high drama with so many jobs on the line and so many plays to be made, and I couldn’t be more ready to see how it all plays out.
The Alouettes will face the Toronto Argonauts this Saturday, June 19 at 1 p.m. at the brand new McGill Stadium (CJAD 800 AM). Tickets are still available – click here to purchase or call 514-790-1245 now!
