MontrealAlouettes.com
It may be Montreal’s first appearance in Moncton for the CFL’s NAPA Touchdown Atlantic event, but not all of the Alouettes are strangers to Canada’s East Coast. Cornerbacks Byron Parker and Geoff Tisdale have already been the visitors in New Brunswick before, in 2010 and 2011 with the Argonauts and Stampeders, respectively.
We sat down with the Alouettes’ two off-season acquisitions to find out what to expect in Moncton, gauge their love for lobster, and talk magnetic hills.
Question: You guys are the only two players currently on the Alouettes roster to have played in a previous NAPA Touchdown Atlantic game in Moncton. What can you say about the experience / What do you remember from the game the last time you were in it?
Byron Parker: It was a good experience. The fan base was good, and I think it’s a good thing that the CFL is doing just because in the future this might be the next city to get a team. So it was good, the fans support us a whole lot and they deserve it.
Geoff Tisdale: All I can think about is that hill where you park your car at the bottom and it rolls up.
Q: Does that make you two the de facto team tour guides this time around? What are some of the Moncton hotspots?
GT: (Laughs) I guess you could say that. Definitely the hill.
BP: Well, the last time I went we stayed for a whole week. This time it’s just like a regular road game for us, in that we’re just getting there one night early. This year the guys probably won’t get to experience the whole Touchdown Atlantic experience the same way I did, but it’s something that I think the CFL should still do every year, even if it’s not a whole week but maybe just an extra two days. So to answer your question, I wouldn’t say that I’ll the THE guy this time, just because there isn’t enough time for me to be.
Q: Moncton is famous for its magnetic hill. Was there ever a better opportunity to impress the coaching staff with some hill training?
BP: (Laughs) That would definitely be a cool experience. I don’t know what it does for the body as far as training goes, but it would definitely be cool to check out once in my lifetime.
GT: (Laughs) You know, it might be, but to be honest, we’ll be getting in so late this week that it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to try.
Q: Do you guys like sea food? What about tailgate lobster?
BP: As funny as it is, I’m actually allergic to shellfish, so I definitely won’t be able to partake in the fruits of this trip.
GT: I love seafood.
Q: You’re both off-season acquisitions and you both play the same position, but Geoff, you’re from coastal California while Byron is from landlocked Kentucky. Does that give you an edge heading into Moncton?
BP: (Laughs) Yeah, that’s something that Tis’ might enjoy, being a coastal guy. I know he likes his seafood, so maybe it’ll give him the edge at the restaurants.
GT: I wouldn’t quite say all that. I don’t go to the ocean that often during the offseason, so the advantage playing-wise probably isn’t there for me.
Q: Unlike the rest of the CFL’s stadiums, Moncton Stadium is home to a natural grass surface. When’s the last time either of you played on grass? Is it something that will affect your game this weekend?
BP: No. We’re prepared as far as cleats and equipment go, but it won’t change our game. It’s probably even going to benefit us in that it’ll be a lot easier on our joints because we play on turf every day.
GT: I just hope that it’s good grass.
Q: Moncton is home to the largest French-language university in Canada outside of Quebec. Despite being the designated ‘away’ team heading into this weekend, the Alouettes may not feel so far away from the comforts of home after all. Are you expecting a receptive crowd?
BP: Absolutely. We’re coming here representing Quebec, so I definitely believe that we’ll have the French-speaking fans on our side.
GT: Yeah, hopefully.
Q: Thoughts on a potential tenth team in Moncton?
BP: Like I said, I think it would be good for the league. Ottawa’s coming back next year so if Moncton gets a team, that would put us at an even ten. I think they deserve it, and it would be good for the league.
GT: That would be real good. With nine teams playing next season, I think a tenth one would make things a lot easier schedule-wise.
Q: Do you have a message for the Alouettes fans who will be in attendance in Moncton?
BP: Get ready for a great game. We’re gonna put on a show.
