CFL Preview: Alouettes hope to find QB to steady team

The Montreal Alouettes enter the 2016 season hoping a quarterback that can provide steady leadership is among their ranks.

Top Storylines

Stability at QB The Alouettes’ search for a regular No.1 quarterback continues in the post-Anthony Calvillo era. The ever-steady Kevin Glenn looks likeliest to start the season, and if the Alouettes – who have plenty of weapons – want to enjoy East dominance again, they’ll need Glenn to add to his near 47,000 CFL passing yards…and not indulge in another quarterback carousel of Rakeem Cato, Jonathan Crompton and Brandon Bridge.

Return of Duron From 2013 to 2014, Duron Carter complied nearly 2,000 CFL receiving yards, 12 touchdowns, and a catalogue of impressive grabs. The son of NFL Hall of Famer Cris Carter is back after an NFL sojourn, and if he can return to terrorizing CFL defensive backfields, Montreal could have the best pair of receivers – alongside SJ Green --  once again.

Bowman's rush Montreal defensive end John Bowman operates only one way: exploding downhill, seeking to hammer quarterbacks under their chinstraps. In 2016, Bowman set a career-high in the CFL with 19 sacks. Bowman is now 33, but still very much embodies the powerful, angry philosophy of defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe. And if Bowman doesn’t get to the quarterback, Gabriel Knapton, Aaron Lavarias, Bear Woods, or Kyries Hebert will.

Additions and Subtractions

+ WR Duron Carter Carter returns from a year in the NFL, hoping to resume the form that made him the CFL’s third-leading receiver in 2014.

- LT Josh Bourke For nine seasons, tackle Josh Bourke anchored the left side of Montreal’s offensive line, protecting the quarterback’s blind side. But Bourke is now with the Toronto Argonauts, leaving last year’s first-round pick, Jacob Ruby, to try and handle the job.

Canadian Content

The All-Canadian offensive line that has long been a part of the Alouettes’ identity has taken a hit with the offseason departure of long-time left tackle Josh Bourke and a knee injury that will force veteran centre Luc Brodeur-Jourdain to miss the start of the 2016 season. With former left guard Kristian Matte shifting to centre to replace Brodeur-Jourdain and Philip Blake moving over from right guard to fill Matte’s old spot, right tackle Jeff Perrett, the East’s top lineman in 2014 is the only Montreal O-Lineman expected to line up in the same place that he did on Opening Day 2015.  Jacob Ruby, the eighth overall pick in last year’s draft, will get first crack at the left tackle job, this year’s second overall selection, Laval guard Philippe Gagnon is the frontrunner at right guard. Jake Piotrowski, who became a starter down the stretch last year will push for playing time and the Als will also keep an eye on the progress of 2014 first rounder David Foucault, who remains under contract to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.

Veteran receiver Samuel Giguere will likely be the only other Canadian starter on offence, however fullback Jean-Christophe Beaulieu and rookie running back Wayne Moore (once he returns from injury) should also see their share of snaps.

Homegrown QB Brandon Bridge, currently locked in a battle for one of Montreal’s backup quarterback slots, may also emerge as a situational pivot.

Mirroring the offence, it is in the trenches where the Als possess their greatest Canadian depth on D. Returnees Mike Klassen and Jesse Joseph are joined by 2011 draftee Vaughn Martin, who spent five NFL seasons with San Diego and Miami. This trio provides Montreal with both the talent and depth to start a Canadian at defensive tackle. This flexibility could be a bonus if the Alouettes are forced to play an International on the offensive line.

Elsewhere on the defence, veteran Marc-Olivier Brouillette remains a fixture at safety, while second-year men Chris Ackie and Nick Shortill will likely command some playing time. Shortill made one start at middle linebacker as a rookie, and Ackie looks ready to jump in at either LB or in the secondary.

Impact Imports

With Calvillo now three years removed from his playing days, the Alouettes are presently most synonymous with their stacked receiving corps they’ve seemingly had since at least the Calvillo days. And the return of Carter after an unsuccessful stint in the NFL, likely ensures that will remain the case for at least another.

Carter arrives back in Montreal one year removed from a 1,000-yard season and joins mainstay Green, who’s eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving four of the last five years, and Kenny Stafford, also returning to the Als after a solid season in Edmonton. And we can’t forget Nik Lewis, who proved he still has some tread on the tire last year in Montreal after a Hall of Fame tenure in Calgary.

The receivers could really thrive if Montreal figures out a long-term solution at the position responsible for delivering them the balls. The Als have a number of intriguing options in the search for Calvillo and Tracy Ham’s heir, but the first crack will be given to the most uninteresting one, the sturdy Glenn. Glenn as an option is dull by design – the veteran often thought of as a backup plan to more extravagant considerations – but he gives teams a chance to win.

But after giving a first round pick to the BC Lions for Vernon Adams, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get a shot at some point this year.

Montreal’s import talent on offence is rounded out by league All-Star Tyrell Sutton at running back.

On defence, the Als have a linebacking corps that rivals their receivers in terms of continuing and lasting production. Cover linebacker Chip Cox is still a major contributor to the team’s defence but at 33-years-old this season, may be passing the torch to weak side ‘backer Winston Venable, a league All-Star last year. The trio is rounded out by Woods, another highly productive player, in the middle.

And finally, pass rusher Bowman is one of the best stories in the league heading into the season. Bowman is a player you can’t count out until you see it with your own eyes. The 33-year-old set a league and career high with 19 sacks last year, his third straight season – and sixth of seven – in double digits. The numbers suggest his downturn won’t be for at least another year. 

Who to Watch Linebacker Winston Venable exceeded 100 tackles last season and, paired with the return of a healthy Bear Woods, gives the Als a dynamic presence in the middle of the defence. 

Season Outlook

The Alouettes, once a model of stability, have suffered from a high rate of turnover among coaches and quarterbacks over the past three seasons, resulting in them missing the playoffs for the first time in 20 seasons in 2015. Along with improving on their six wins of a year ago, GM/HC Jim Popp wants to establish stability on the roster and identify the quarterback of the future.