SHERBROOKE – The Montreal Alouettes players took to Bishop’s University’s Coulter Field on Monday morning for a single practice. The end of the 2016 training camp is rapidly approaching, and after working tirelessly for more than two weeks during practices and team meetings, the players are inching closer to what the coaches expect them to be come opening day. The excitement exuded by Jim Popp’s group could be felt throughout practice, as all the players are looking forward to going back home to Montreal and performing in front of their fans on Friday night.
The offensive line is building chemistry
A football team’s offensive line must work as a cohesive unit to open up holes for the running game, protect the quarterback, and give receivers time to get open. Cohesion and chemistry take time to develop, and offensive line coach Kris Sweet knows that. So far, coach Sweet seems happy with their progress. “They do a great job working together. They communicate well, they play well with each other and for each other,” said Sweet, who is vocal on the practice field every day, pushing his offensive line to be the best they can be, both individually and as a group, while making sure they’re ready for game day.
Rapid Fire
There was an emphasis on the running game Monday, as the quarterbacks handed the ball off to their running backs on multiple occasions during simulated play. This commitment to the running game allowed Kenny Stafford to be the beneficiary of a deep and easy touchdown on a play action pass from Kevin Glenn… SJ Green was his usual self at practice on Monday, making spectacular catches one after another, jumping over defenders and using his big body to his advantage… The defensive backs and linebackers were great in coverage all day long today, making several coverage sacks and making the receivers fight for every catch as each ball was tightly contested… Among the standouts on the defensive side of the ball was veteran Billy Parker, as he displayed tight coverage all morning, making several plays on the ball… Samuel Giguère and Corbin Louks also made outstanding catches… Linebacker Bear Woods made an interception after teammate Dominique Ellis tipped the ball.
Violence against women training
Alouettes players, coaches and staff took part in a training session on violence against women Monday afternoon. The training is part of the new league policy, and it had everyone’s full attention throughout. Former Edmonton Eskimo and BC Lion JR LaRose was one of the speakers in front of the players, along with Melpa Kamateros and Polly Tsonis from Shield of Athena, a non-profit organization for victims of family violence based in Montreal.
What to watch for at the Stadium this summer
Alouettes football games have always been considered as the sporting event of the Montreal summer, and that shouldn’t change in 2016, starting on Friday night when the Toronto Argonauts will be the visitors at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. The whole team has worked relentlessly during the offseason in order to offer fans the best football experience in the country. If 2015 brought its fair share of surprises, fans can expect a 2016 season unlike any other!
The 2016 season is shaping up to be a very exciting one, both on the field and at the stadium. A newly-renovated Fan Zone is awaiting Alouettes fans this season. A micro-brewery kiosk presented by Labatt has been erected in the Fan Zone in order to quench fans’ thirst on the hot summer nights and fall afternoons at McGill’s Stadium. For those who want to get to the stadium early, the Fan Zone now makes that possible as it will be open 2 hours before kickoff via a special entrance on Avenue des Pins. Finally, healthy food products will be available at the concession stand situated at the North-East part of the stadium.
Tomorrow
The 2016 training camp continues at Bishop’s University’s Coulter Field tomorrow as the team will take the field for a single practice starting at 10:30 a.m.
