Herb Zurkowsky
The Gazette
In 2007, the Alouettes learned about the Canadian Football League’s salary cap the hard way – relinquishing a first-round draft choice after overspending.
A year later, the football operations department is determined to better control its budget.
The Als have released three veterans – fullback Mike Vilimek, slotback Elijah Thurmon and defensive-tackle Jeff Keeping. None played a down for the team last season because of injuries. Placed on the nine-game injured list, their salaries didn’t count against the $4.2-million salary cap. But they had to be paid nonetheless.
“It was not an insignificant amount,” assistant general manager Marcel Desjardins said, discussing the trio.
“People don’t understand. You have the cap, but you still have a budget. And you want the two (figures) to be close. We won’t put ourselves in that position again. You can’t afford to do it. We won’t roll the dice.”
Vilimek, a seven-year CFL veteran – including the last four with Montreal – was a starter, but missed the final 13 games of 2007 with a torn ligament in his right knee. He was slow to recover, but was placed on the practice roster in the second week of the season, probably meaning the team anticipated his return. Vilimek went on the nine-game injured list the next week. It was believed at the time, and not discounted by Vilimek, that he threatened arbitration against the team to ensure he continued getting paid.
Thurmon suffered a nerve problem in one of his feet during training camp. In 16 games with Montreal in 2007, he caught 67 passes for 926 yards, scoring three touchdowns.
Hamilton, thin at receiver, probably would have traded for Thurmon last season had he recovered. He might yet resurface with the Tiger-Cats, depending on his health. The Als signed Keeping as a free agent from Toronto in
February, although he was coming off knee surgery. Keeping was medically cleared, but was injured at camp.
Canadian slotback Dave Stala, who has played only two games the last two seasons because of injuries, remains safe for now, according to Desjardins. “It’s too early to tell,” Desjardins said.
While Stala’s non-import status works to his benefit, he might also have to accept a reduced salary before being invited back.
Courtesy of: www.montrealgazette.com
