The Canadian Press
MONTREAL — With Darian Durant as their quarterback, the Montreal Alouettes appear to be a contender.
That’s the prevailing thought as the skies calm and the dust settles in the wake of Friday’s blockbuster trade, which saw the Riders send Durant east in exchange for a pair of draft picks.
“We have to say right away, the East was wide open last year,” CFL.ca analyst Davis Sanchez said immediately following the trade. “There’s no question this was a top defence, not only in the East but in the league.
“Now, with Darian Durant, a proven, top-level quarterback in this league, you have to put the Als in the talks as the number one team in the East, or at least a team that’s going to compete at the top of the East.”
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The Riders acquired a fourth round pick in 2017 and a conditional second round pick in 2018. Durant, meanwhile, still has to sign a new contract with the Alouettes before he becomes a free agent on Feb. 14 — although reports indicate a new deal has already been worked out.
While the Riders move on from Durant after 11 seasons in Green and White, the Alouettes solidify a quarterback hierarchy that now has a proven veteran starter, two quality backups and a quarterback of the future.
Sanchez says that’s a definite shot in the arm for a franchise that’s already gone through an off-field transformation this off-season. It was only a month ago when the Alouettes re-structured their front office with the addition of Patrick Boivin as president and CEO and the promotion of Kavis Reed to general manager.
“I’ve talked to a couple of guys on the Als, all of a sudden they’re rejuvenated,” said Sanchez. “Talking to guys around the organization, they’re really happy about the new regime. There’s a new level of excitement in the front office, and now they can move that excitement onto the field – they finally got a pivot.”
Ghosts of the great one
For nearly 15 years, there was never any question in Montreal as to who was the starting quarterback. Anthony Calvillo became the CFL’s all-time leading passer throughout his 16 seasons in Montreal, his final full season coming in 2012 and his retirement arriving part way through 2013.
The Als spent four long years after that looking for Calvillo’s replacement but, despite valiant efforts from Kevin Glenn and Jonathan Crompton, among others, they failed to find a permanent answer.
“Since Anthony retired, this has always been the problem for the Als – trying to find someone to play quarterback to meet the level of that defence,” said Sanchez. “Now they have that and the guys are excited. Coming into training camp, this is going to be a rejuvenated football team, an exciting team.”
Now an offensive assistant, Anthony Calvillo was the Als’ starting QB for 16 seasons (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
Kavis Reed still has a busy off-season ahead of him. Of the 23 players currently slated for free agency on Feb. 14, six were regular starters on Noel Thorpe’s 12-man unit last season — and that’s just on the defensive side of things.
Still, scratching off the quarterback position is a major win for Reed and his staff. And doing so before free agency brings clarity to the rest of their off-season plans.
“If they can get those guys on defence re-signed and bring back the core of the defence along with maybe getting another receiver or two,” said Sanchez, “this is definitely a team that’s going to be exciting and will compete from day one, which is what they’re trying to do in Montreal.”
The perfect fit
Jacques Chapdelaine’s time with Darian Durant in 2015, while brief, may have paved the way for Friday’s transaction.
The veteran quarterback thrived in Chapdelaine’s offence throughout camp and pre-season before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury just one half game into the regular season.
While Chapdelaine departed the following off-season, their past success makes for a favourable reunion.
“Jacques Chapdelaine is known for a balanced attack,” said Sanchez. “He always starts with a strong running game and the play action comes off of that. That’s what Jacques’ known for and it fits perfectly into Darian’s skill-set.”
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Last year, Sanchez added, the Riders’ offence focused on the short passing game and getting the ball out quickly with three-step drops.
“That doesn’t suit Darian as much as it would the offence that Jacques runs,” he said. “Darian’s a guy who is great off play-action deep balls, corner routes, posts – that’s what Darian does.
“It’s a big reason the Als have been trying to get Darian — that’s why they went out and got him. They feel like Darian’s a guy that fits into Jacques’ offence and I think that’s why they made this happen. I’m sure Montreal’s feeling really good about this move.”
The quarterback hierarchy
How does the trade affect top prospect and 24-year-old Vernon Adams Jr.? The question gets a little lost in Friday’s shuffle but is an important one considering the Alouettes invested a first round pick in the former college star.
Adams is no longer the projected starter in Montreal but that might be a good thing, both for him and the future of the team. Instead, Adams gets to watch and learn, a luxury young pivots in Montreal haven’t been afforded the last few years.
“Kavis Reed has said from the outset his number one priority was to get a quarterback into Montreal to either take the job, or at least to help groom these young guys,” said Sanchez. “He’s done that. Durant will be the starting quarterback of the Alouettes and he will also groom these young guys, Vernon Adams especially, who they traded a number one pick for.
“He’s obviously someone they think highly of,” he added of Adams. “Darian’s a vet, he’ll help groom a young Vernon Adams while instantly turning this team around.”
The development of Vernon Adams Jr. remains a priority for the Alouettes (CFL.ca)
While Durant is the now and Adams is the future, don’t count out Jonathan Crompton as a quarterback that could hold a key spot on the Alouettes’ depth chart. If that happens, Rakeem Cato may just be the odd man out for the Alouettes.
“I think they’re high on Crompton,” said Sanchez. “He was injured this year . . . but I saw him often in the spotter’s booth during road games. That means, to me, they like Jonathan Crompton — they like what he brings to the table.
“You have the young guy of course to groom; Darian, the proven starter; you have a gunslinger coming off the bench, Crompton, who’s proven he can win games in the CFL.”
Whatever happens, the quarterback position is as solid as a rock for the Montreal Alouettes — something we haven’t seen since No. 13 was leading the huddle.
“I think the Als are looking good at the quarterback position coming into training camp, no question.”
