Follow MONTREAL ALOUETTES

© 2025 Montreal Alouettes. All rights reserved.

@

Alfieri’s Day 2 training camp notebook: Ellingson’s leadership, Murray’s new role

Alouettes training camp is sponsored by le salon de jeux Trois-Rivieres.

Heading into 2023, we all knew that the Alouettes receivers room was going to look different. There are many rookie receivers on the roster, but don’t be surprised if they rely on a CFL veteran to lead them.

Greg Ellingson is going to be the leader of the group. The 34-year-old has put together five 1,000-yard seasons, and he brings the most experience of anyone at the position.  He should go into the season as the number one receiver on the depth chart.

“I have been around for a while,” Ellingson explained after Monday’s practice. “I have been on a lot of teams that have gone to the Grey Cup. Knowing the standard that it takes to get there; I hope that I can bring that leadership to the guys and show them how to practice.”

Ellingson is coming off a strong season with Winnipeg in 2022. He finished with 598 yards on 38 receptions in only eight games with the Blue Bombers one year ago. Unfortunately, a foot injury sidelined him for most of the season.

“I’m not disappointed with last year,” Ellingson said. “I got hurt but we made it to the playoffs and got to the Grey Cup. I helped contribute at the beginning of the year when we were 8-1. I had a good start to the year, but injuries happen. It was unfortunate. I fought back from injury and then came back for the end of the year and the Grey Cup.”

Ellingson and head coach Jason Maas have worked together before. The two were together in Ottawa and in Edmonton, and Ellingson managed to hit the 1,000-yard receiving mark in both those seasons.

“It’s quick,” Ellingson said of Maas’ offensive scheme. “This is the first time I have actually done the back-to-back practices and the shotgun stuff. It’s intense, it’s fun, but it gets guys a lot of reps, especially with the playbook now. We’re trying to play really quick and catch defences off guard.”

Najee Murray’s new role

With the departure of strongside linebacker Adarius Pickett this winter, the Als will be forced to find someone to step into that starting role on defence. On Monday, Najee Murray spent a good portion of the on-field session in that role.

This is a new role for Murray, who was used as a starting defensive back last season.

“I actually like it,” Murray said of switching over to SAM linebacker. “It’s an adjustment. It’s more of a football player. You’re able to blitz, you’re able to cover, you’re more active in the game. I think it will be fun.

“It reminds me a lot of my days in college when I was moved to the nickel (position), transferring from corner my junior to senior year. Once I was able to do that, it was fun. I love to tackle, and I also like to cover. I’m able to tackle and get my nose into the things, but I’m also able to cover when I need to. I think it’ll be fun.”

The 29-year-old is going into his fifth season with the Alouettes. Injuries limited him to 13 games in 2022, but he still managed to make 40 tackles, one sack and one interception.

Coming up next:

The Alouettes will be back on the field at Stade Diablos on Tuesday morning beginning at 8:30 am.

Also, the team’s scrimmage will take place on Saturday, with the festivities beginning at 4:00pm.

Reminder: All practices and scrimmages are free and open to the public.

For more updates from training camp, be sure to follow Joey Alfieri on Twitter.