Diminutive rookie James Letcher making a giant impression with Alouettes

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TROIS-RIVIÈRES — At 5-foot-8 and 175 kilos, James Letcher is among the smallest gamers at Alouettes coaching camp. However he’s additionally had one of many largest impacts by greater than two weeks of exercises.

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Now the issue turns into getting the diminutive kick returner and receiver on the sphere, since it will likely be tough for Letcher to dislodge Chandler Worthy, final season’s East Division particular groups excellent participant.

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“If we resolve to do this we’ll must juggle some issues round,” head coach Jason Maas acknowledged on Wednesday. “That will likely be very tough after we really feel we’ve got among the best within the league again there. It’ll be a type of issues we speak about and talk about. In the end, we’ve got to see him do it once more this recreation — and he’ll get loads of alternatives.”

In final Friday’s opening exhibition recreation at Ottawa, Letcher returned 5 punts for 118 yards — together with certainly one of 40 yards — and two kickoffs for 34 yards. Worthy was certainly one of quite a few veterans who didn’t costume for the sport and, whereas he’s anticipated to be activated Friday evening when the Als host Hamilton, the coaches undoubtedly will wish to take an in depth take a look at Letcher and rookie Tyler Snead.

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One, if not each, ought to at the least make the apply roster to again up Worthy in case of harm.

“I’m glad for any alternative I get and must make the most effective of it,” stated Letcher, 23. “You by no means know in case your final faculty recreation is the final recreation you’ll ever play of soccer.”

Letcher has misplaced depend of the variety of occasions he was informed his dimension would maintain him again from enjoying and has used that as motivation.

“I take that and put that on my shoulders with all the opposite chips,” stated the native of Kansas Metropolis, Kan. “That is one thing I can’t change. I used to be born this fashion. I’ve had this my complete life. I make the most effective of it and use it as motivation, gasoline to assist me push by something I’m going by.”

A tailback and security as a highschool senior, faculties weren’t recruiting Letcher due to his dimension. Of the 2 faculties that have been , Letcher chosen Division II Washburn in Topeka, Kan., occurring to rewrite quite a few faculty information.

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Over his 48-game profession, he caught 228 passes for two,992 yards, scoring 29 touchdowns. His three kickoff return scores have been essentially the most at school historical past, as have been his whole receptions and 5,623 all-purpose yards. He’s tied for first with two punt-return majors, together with an 89-yarder final season towards Missouri Southern.

Letcher additionally graduated from a prison justice program and hopes to finally pursue a profession in legislation enforcement.

The Als first seen him in January, when he performed within the Faculty Gridiron Showcase, however needed to stay affected person. Letcher attended mini camp with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, however wasn’t supplied a contract.

“He’s a man we acquired enthusiastic about,” stated Byron Archambault, the Als’ assistant head coach and particular groups co-ordinator. “He got here in a bit late, however has been performing some actually great things and appeared actually good (towards Ottawa).

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“The gamers do the combating for themselves with what he’s going to do on the sphere. When you will have wonderful, explosive expertise, and the flexibility to attain a TD expertise, these guys are inclined to discover a technique to keep. Hopefully he will get to combat for that and we don’t must on our finish.”

Letcher stated his imaginative and prescient and really feel for the sport units him aside and makes him profitable, whereas believing he should do extra to impress the coaches than a participant with extra dimension.

“You’ll be able to’t please everyone,” he stated. “All it takes is one individual to need you or want you on their staff. However everyone this dimension has to combat and work tougher.”

In the meantime, receiver Cory Philpot, final season’s division excellent rookie, is predicted to overlook the beginning of the common season after re-injuring his hamstring. Rush-end Nick Usher hasn’t practised all week, however Maas refused to reveal his harm.

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