THE CANADIAN PRESS

MONTREAL - The best catch the Montreal Alouettes may have made this season was Jamel Richardson.

The former Saskatchewan Roughriders wide receiver who signed as a free agent with Montreal last winter was an instant hit on a receiving corps that has been without injured slotback Elijah Thurmon for the entire season.

The six-foot-two, 225-pound Richardson led the CFL with 16 touchdown catches and added another in a 36-26 victory over Edmonton in the East Division final on Saturday, to go with a season of 98 receptions for 1,287 yards, fourth best in the league.

He will be one of quarterback Anthony Calvillo's main targets again on Sunday when the Alouettes play host to the Calgary Stampeders in the Grey Cup game at Olympic Stadium (6 p.m. ET).

"I finally got to show what I can do, given a fair opportunity," Richardson said Wednesday. "It's a blessing to be here in Montreal."

The Syracuse, N.Y., native played from 2003 to 2006 in Saskatchewan, but never had a year like this one. His best was 2005, when he had 55 catches for 663 yards, but injuries limited him to four games the following season.

Last season, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys, but was released at the end of training camp.

"I was mainly hurt by injuries (in Saskatchewan) and I was young," the 26-year-old said. "I was 20 years old when I went out there.

"I was just learning the CFL game. Now that I've learned it and got my weight up a bit, I'm ready."

In Montreal, he has become the big target the team has not really had since Jeremaine Copeland left as a free agent for the Stampeders in 2005. Calvillo certainly sees the similarity.

"They're both big, tall, big-time receivers who make great catches," the 15-year veteran said. "The difference is that Jamel is probably a bit faster than Jeremaine.

"Well, I know he's faster. But they're both awesome receivers who did a lot of good things so I definitely would compare the two."

Richardson has proven not only to be sure-handed, but with his size and speed, the extra yards he picks up after the catch are often what gets him to the end zone. He also turned up on highlight reels twice this season with one-handed grabs in the end zone.

"He's been phenomenal," said veteran slotback Ben Cahoon. "He's a tough guy to cover because he's so strong and big."

He's done so well, there are reports that a number of NFL teams have shown interest in bringing him back for another look next season. Richardson said he won't discuss it until after the championship game.

"I'm really enjoying myself in Montreal now," he said.

The Alouettes and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were the only teams this season with three receivers with more than 1,000 yards in receptions. Cahoon caught a league-high 107 balls for 1,231 and Kerry Watkins had 84 for 1,178 yards. Brian Bratton (636 yards) and tailback Avon Cobourne (616) may also have got there with more playing time.

Richardson credits his success with "a lot of one-on-one coverage.

"We've got Cahoon and Watkins and then we've got Avon. You got to pick your poison. You take one of them away and I've got one-on-one coverage and I've just got to win my match-up."

He insists that Montreal has the best receiving corps in the league, but added with a smile that "we keep that to ourselves."

The Alouette nearly lost one at practice on Wednesday when Watkins went down in pain after being brushed near the sidelines by defensive back Mark Estelle. He appeared to hurt his left side and left the practice with the team doctor, but sent word through a team spokesman that he would be fine.

The Alouettes have Bratton around for just that sort of situation.

The Augusta, Ga., native is Montreal's jack of all trades, who can play receiver, slotback and running back, and also returns kicks with main returner Larry Taylor.

Last week, Calvillo called Bratton the team's unsung hero.

"I like it," said Bratton, adding that he doesn't need media attention or awards to be happy. "Everyone has a role on the team and that's what mine has become.

"I'm glad to do it because it says I know what I'm doing in all situations and the coaches have confidence to move me around and know that I'll perform at a high level. It's fun for me because I get to do different things."

The 26-year-old Bratton signed with Montreal last season after failed attempts to crack the Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens rosters.

"There's a lot to say about the guys who play up here," he said. "Everyone started somewhere different, whether it be here in Canada or in the NFL or out of college in the States, but we all ended up in the same place and we're all playing because we love the game.

"It's more fun than I've ever had, really. It's enjoyable, seeing a different place, travelling all over Canada. Being from the States, that adds to it."