Herb Zurkowsky
The Gazette

MONTREAL -- S.J. Green has spent a lifetime defying the odds, having been signed on the spot by the Alouettes following an open tryout camp in Tampa Bay, and then sticking with Montreal as a rookie.

But the final act is proving to be the most difficult - becoming a starting receiver on a team that's deep and talented at the position.

"Any player that signs a contract with a team is trying to make an impact," said Green, beginning his third season with the Als and about to turn 24 on Saturday. "It's my third year, and I haven't played much. That's not what I foresaw, but I guess it's part of the process."

As a rookie in 2007, the 6-foot-2, 216-pound Green was behind Elijah Thurmon, dressing for only three games. Last season, Green mostly sat and watched while Jamel Richardson was Montreal's leading receiver. Green dressed for only two games, but started the regular-season finale, at Edmonton, catching five passes for 41 yards, including a seven-yard touchdown from Marcus Brady.

"Certainly, S.J. can play," said Scott Milanovich, the Als' offensive co-ordinator. "He's got strong hands, is physical, runs great routes and is smart. He's just been in the right place at the wrong time, but he can play."

And Green might finally get that opportunity, even if it's only temporary. Richardson, suffering from pneumonia, has yet to appear at the Fort St. Jean campus. Head coach Marc Trestman said he hopes to have Richardson on the field by Friday, but nothing's guaranteed, meaning the Als might start the season without him while he rounds into shape.

Richardson has been replaced by Green who, through the opening eight days of training camp, has been the team's best receiver.

"He (Green) has had a chance at training camp and has made some big plays," said quarterback Anthony Calvillo, who received a second consecutive day off to rest, providing his backups with some much-needed work.

"He has really opened up the eyes of the coaches. My eyes as well," Calvillo added. "He deserves an opportunity. He's young and large. He has speed and the potential to do good things."

"You certainly don't want to lose one of your best players, which Jamel was," Milanovich said. "But we have no reservations about putting S.J. in. We're comfortable with him. But it will always come down to a ratio issue."

It seems virtually certain the Als' four starting receivers this season will be Ben Cahoon, Kerry Watkins, Brian Bratton and Green or Richardson; Cahoon the only non-import among the lot. When the fullback comes out and Montreal utilizes a five-receiver set, either Eric Deslauriers or Danny Desriveaux, both Canadians, will be called upon.

This could result in Bratton exploding and coming into his own.

Entering his third season with Montreal, Bratton became a starter over the final half of 2008, catching a respectable 54 passes for 636 yards but scoring seven touchdowns - a high number given his receiving total. He was the Als' fourth-leading receiver. A potential free agent last winter, Bratton didn't hesitate to re-sign with Montreal.

"I hope my role's increased and I become more productive," he said. "You'll see an explosive player with confidence and speed. Someone who's versatile and can run and go deep. Possession-style football."

This likely means Deslauriers and Desriveaux once again will be fighting for crumbs. But both are young and eventually figure to play more of a prominent role, especially following Cahoon's retirement.

"When the coaches called me during the offseason and said I'd be coming back into the same role, I was disappointed at first," said Deslauriers, the Als' first-round (seventh overall) draft choice in 2006. "I have a role to play, not that I accept it. I'm getting better at it, but I've got to accept it."

At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, the native of Gatineau certainly is a physical specimen. And he has made some incredible catches through the opening week of training camp. But that potential hasn't always carried over into games. In 18 games last season, including seven starts, Deslauriers caught only 12 passes for 89 yards. There were times when he didn't seem to fight for the ball and, with time, he started receiving less attempts.

Desriveaux, conversely, made the most of his opportunity, especially early in the season, when he replaced an injured Cahoon. Although only 5-foot-9 and 188 pounds, he seems willing to cut across the middle and make catches in traffic. In 18 games, including eight starts, Desriveaux caught 27 passes for 278 yards, including one touchdown.

Note: The Als will have their final workout this morning before travelling by train to Toronto tomorrow. Montreal's first exhibition game is Wednesday night against the Argonauts. The Als complete the exhibition schedule June 23, at home, against Winnipeg.

Courtesy: www.montrealgazette.com