Veteran DB Ciante Evans brings versatility in return to Alouettes

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An unrepentant Nik Lewis mentioned Alouettes administration can hit him within the pocketbook as typically because it desires, but it surely received’t change his character. He’ll proceed to talk his thoughts, the veteran slotback vowed on Thursday.

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“I’ve been right here 13 years. You’re not going to muzzle me,” Lewis mentioned after apply at Stade Hébert. “I stand behind it. I stand agency and I imagine in what I mentioned.”

Lewis delivered a profanity-laced diatribe following final Friday’s lacklustre 31-7 loss towards Hamilton at Molson Stadium. He criticized administration and the gamers — together with himself — for an unimpressive offensive efficiency that was devoid of a landing and got here following a bye week within the schedule. It was Montreal’s second consecutive defeat at residence.

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On Wednesday, TSN reported the Als levied a staff high-quality towards Lewis, though no announcement got here from the group. After Thursday’s apply, common supervisor and head coach Jim Popp wouldn’t affirm or deny the potential high-quality, saying such selections are inner issues.

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Nonetheless, the day after Duron Carter was ejected from a sport towards Ottawa, on June 30, the group issued a launch, stating Carter had been fined.

The Als are getting ready to fulfill the Argonauts at Toronto this Monday. Lewis mentioned he has spoken with security Marc-Olivier Brouillette, the staff’s participant consultant. Lewis has the choice of interesting any potential high-quality with the league’s gamers’ affiliation. Any high-quality, it appears, could be extra the results of Lewis’ language than the content material of his handle.

“If we exit and we play higher this week, it was price it. If we exit and we make a run, it’s price it,” mentioned Lewis, fast to state he respects the group, proprietor Robert Wetenhall, Popp and his teammates. “You’ll be able to’t put a greenback quantity on what we do.

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“I’m an emotional man. I play with my feelings. I do issues. I’m simply out right here attempting to inspire my staff to be higher. The one factor I can do, as one of many leaders on this staff, is inspire you to be higher.”

Veteran quarterback Kevin Glenn, who was Lewis’ teammate for 2 seasons at Calgary, intimated a high-quality may not be the most effective message for administration to increase — though he mentioned he may perceive why the group would take offence with among the language Lewis used.

“If he did get fined,” Glenn mentioned, momentarily hesitating, “I don’t know. I’ve been on this league lengthy sufficient. I’ve identified and seen and doubtless achieved it myself a number of instances … have spoken (with ardour) about one thing and people type of phrases have possibly come out.

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“I do know he’s not a malicious individual. He’s not doing it to attempt to achieve some consideration. He’s obsessed with what he was speaking about. And he cares.”

The Als returned to the apply discipline for the primary time since Monday. Glenn, who missed the Tiger-Cats’ sport with irritation in his left eye, took all of the reps with the beginning offence and is predicted to play at Toronto. Whereas his return may doubtlessly assist, it doesn’t diminish the very fact the Als have the Canadian Soccer League’s weakest offence. Montreal is averaging 14 factors per sport and has produced solely three touchdowns in three video games.

The staff has been ravaged by accidents to key offensive members, together with slotback S.J. Inexperienced, tailback Tyrell Sutton and receiver Kenny Stafford. And the Als aren’t serving to their trigger with undisciplined play, Montreal having been penalized 40 instances by means of three video games, a lot of that harm approaching particular groups.

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The Als have performed solely three video games since June 24, however are about to enter a stretch that may see them play 3 times in 11 days, together with twice subsequent week, with Montreal returning residence subsequent Friday to face Saskatchewan. Which means the Als’ struggling offence is about to match wits towards Wealthy Stubler and Chris Jones — two of the league’s sharpest defensive minds.

“We win in Week 1 and all people loves you. You lose two in a row and all people can’t stand you. That’s simply the best way it’s,” Popp mentioned. “Successful makes an enormous distinction. Now we have to discover a strategy to win.”

And with every defeat, the noose seemingly tightens round Popp’s neck. Eyebrows had been raised in November, when the GM introduced he’d be returning this season as head coach. Relationship to 2001, Popp has a 20-28 regular-season document as coach. He additionally has misplaced 4 of 5 post-season video games.

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“The diehard followers know what I’ve achieved. I’m the identical individual. I’m doing the identical factor. Folks wish to see wins. I perceive we haven’t had two superb video games at residence,” Popp mentioned. “That escalates and magnifies issues.

“I’m the GM and the top coach. If you wish to begin with any person, who else are you going to level the finger at? That’s regular. That’s the best way it’s. I’m in a big-boy’s job. I’ve at all times been in it, by means of thick and skinny. Some individuals can take it. Some can’t. We’re doing what we really feel must be achieved to win video games.”

Notice — Receiver Cody Hoffman, who failed his medical and was launched at the beginning of coaching camp, was put by means of a exercise by the Als on Thursday. He approached the staff not too long ago, saying he had recovered and was able to resume his profession.

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