MontrealAlouettes.com
MONTREAL – Back in Montreal to just ahead of Alouettes training camp, general manager Jim Popp took a moment to sit down with MontrealAlouettes.com while at the team’s Montreal open tryout on Wednesday.
How did the open tryouts in the U.S. go this year, the ones in Florida and Carolina?
We actually had two in North Carolina and one in Florida this year. All three mini camps or open tryouts as we call them, were high level camps. This is nothing new for the Alouettes. We’ve been inviting players from all over to display their talent. Most teams in the CFL have as many as 10 open tryouts per year, but we feel that only holding a handful is necessary.
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Jim Popp scopes out the local talent with Jeff Reinebold. |
How important was it for you to hold one of these in Montreal?
It’s very important since this serves as a gauge for us to take a closer look at the players who registered. The last time we had one of these here in Montreal was about four years ago, right here in Lachine. Most of the guys that show up in Montreal are local products or from this side of the border. We know that they can play at the CIS level, but now we need to see if they can elevate their game to play in the pros. A lot of guys that showed up here could have been easily been drafted, a perfect example of why this is important. That’s why I believe there should be an extra two rounds in the CFL Draft. Now we can only draft a certain amount, so these tryouts help the players and our club as well.
What’s the best advice you could give to a local player who is trying out here today?
Take something from this experience. We are constantly evaluating the players we have. This is a first for both sides as we’re getting the chance to see them for the first time. That is the first step. Now if we like what we see when we go back and watch the tape, the second view would be at training camp.
We try to mesh together guys who we think look good on paper. Every year is different as we have new players and new coaches coming in. So we try to mix all these different individuals from all over and create the best possible football team.
Is this all skills based or is there an interview component like at the combines?
Everything we do here consists of an interview. How you conduct yourself on and off the field is always measured. For this tryout our scouts were recording their time in various events such as the 40-yard dash. We also had one-on-ones to evaluate how well they can compete with the other 30 guys that were here.
In your time with the Alouettes over the past 17 years, how far has Quebec football come?
It’s vastly improved over the years, no question. You look at the Laval Rouge et Or and what they have accomplished over the past decade. It’s very impressive. That alone has set the bar for football in the province and for the rest of Canada. That has created awareness and really help put football on the map. CIS games are being televised now and people are getting a chance to see firsthand what their local guys are able to produce out on the football field.
You just got back in the city, what do you miss most about Montreal and what’s the first thing you do when you get back?
Well I just landed and I’m already scouting guys on the football field. I guess that answers that. (laughs)
