Sherbrooke – The Montreal Alouettes held their last practice ahead of their much anticipated intra-squad game on Bishop’s University’s Coulter Field. Only one practice was held on day six of training camp, but it certainly did not lack intensity, and the team looks ready ahead of its first real test.
No lack of talent
Since the start of the 2017 camp, the Alouettes’ secondary has warranted the attention of fans and coaches alike, thanks to their mixture of experience and talent. A healthy competition between veterans with numerous years of CFL experience and young, energetic players is taking place for the much coveted starting spots. This group is making life tough for the Montreal offence, giving both quarterbacks and receivers headaches.
Since the opening whistle, international defensive backs Jovon Johnson and Ryan Philips have been making plays. The two veterans show a total of 22 years of professional football experience between them. Due to the depth of the secondary, no one has a guaranteed spot on the roster once the team breaks camp. The two veterans know this and it is reflected in their play. Their natural instinct when covering receivers is exceptional, and they defended a number of deep passes on Friday.
Greg Henderson was impressive once again on Friday, consistently being right on top of the receivers and forcing the quarterbacks to bring their A-game. Henderson looks sharp heading into his sophomore season. Another player entering his second season of professional football is Raymon Taylor. The University of Michigan alum did really well to climb above a receiver and break up a nearly perfect pass from Jacory Harris. However, it was Donald Unamba Jr. who won the day. The rookie had not one, but two interceptions, one of which came in the end zone, depriving the offence of a touchdown.
Rapid Fire
Guest quarterback Hugo Richard completed several passes during the one-on-one drills, including two magnificent passes to B.J. Cunningham and Ernest Jackson… Jackson is starting to look right at home with his new teammates and is getting familiar with the Alouettes’ playbook. He was the best receiver on the field on day six… His teammate Tiquan Underwood also had a good outing on Friday. Underwood made it a long day for the defensive-backs, getting on the end of a couple of long passes…Speaking of defensive backs, Tyran Finley and Jalen Rodgers each had interceptions…Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. saw a lot of the ball on Friday. The former Oregon Duck showed that he could come through in the clutch, performing well in red zone drills.
A one of a kind coach
An addition to the Alouettes’ staff this season is Lorenzo Della Foresta, wha was appointed as the team’s Life Coach. This will mark Lorenzo’s sixth year with the franchise, but general manager Kavis Reed has asked him to take on a bigger role in 2017. With an office at Olympic Stadium and the full support of the football operations staff, the team’s chaplain will be around the players much more in 2017. His responsibilities with the team include meeting with each and every player on an individual basis to help them with any situations that may be taking place in their personal lives. He will meet with every player one-on-one in the coming days to discuss their personal goals and lives away from the field. Della Foresta will help players with their family and personal lives, as well as facilitating the solving of conflicts within the team.
Alouettes’ faithful – See you tomorrow!
The team will be playing its annual intra-squad game on Saturday, June 3 at 3:00 p.m. on Coulter Field at Bishop’s University (2600 Rue College, Sherbrooke, QC J1M 1Z7). Fans of the Alouettes are looking forward to this special day, as they’ll be able to meet the players and coaches of their favorite football team. Admission to the game is free for all.
Tomorrow
The 2017 Alouettes training camp continues on Friday, June 2, as the team will partake in a single practices on Bishop’s University’s Coulter Field at 2:45 p.m.
