MONTREAL 鈥� The Montreal Alouettes have some questions on offence as they look for a third win in a row Friday against the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Starting quarterback Cody Fajardo is expected to be a game-time decision for the Als (4-3) after taking a hit against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last week, Meanwhile, Walter Fletcher will start at running back, replacing William Stanback who suffered a hip injury.
鈥淲e鈥檙e preparing to play with Cody and the other two guys have to get ready to play as well,鈥� said offensive co-ordinator Jason Maas. 鈥淎ny time during the season there are going to be players who aren鈥檛 fully capable of practising 鈥� because of bumps and bruises. As long as he can go out there and do it, that鈥檚 what we鈥檙e fully prepared to do.鈥�
The health issues of two key cogs in an already struggling Montreal offence could put even more demand on the defense and special teams. Despite scoring 79 points over its past three games, Montreal鈥檚 offence has only converted five touchdowns in that time.
This will also be a reunion of sorts for two members of the Alouettes, as both Maas and Fajardo were part of the Roughriders until they arrived in Montreal this offseason.
鈥淚鈥檓 not lying and saying it鈥檚 not personal and the emotions get there, but I鈥檓 excited every week for our guys, and this has nothing to do with going against Saskatchewan,鈥� said Maas. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 been done has been done. I鈥檝e moved on, they鈥檝e moved on and we鈥檙e both in the middle of our season.鈥�
There were similar sentiments on the other side of the field for Saskatchewan (4-4), which is coming off a short week. Head coach Crag Dickenson played off any bad blood between the organization and the two Montreal additions.聽
鈥淚t really doesn鈥檛 matter who you鈥檙e playing. Coaches say that all the time, but it really is true,鈥� said Dickinson. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be a tough game regardless of who鈥檚 over there. If it鈥檚 Jason and Cody, maybe it could add a little motivation on their end but not really for us, we鈥檙e just trying to play our best game.鈥�
The Roughriders had difficult start to the season, facing a rebuild after losing their last seven games of the 2022 season and missing the playoffs. With a new-look offence, the main goal this year has been to field a more assertive and aggressive team with the ball.
While Trevor Harris would have relished playing his old team as well, the Saskatchewan starting quarterback is set to miss an extended period of after undergoing surgery for an injury suffered last month. His replacement Mason Fine is looking forward to the potential battle with Fajardo, should he be ready to play.
鈥淗e鈥檚 taught me a lot, even last year it was more of a big brother little brother type of thing,鈥� said Fine. 鈥淚 still look up to Cody and can still learn a lot from him. He鈥檚 been in the league and has had success, it鈥檚 just overall a good relationship.鈥�
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 10, 2023.
Elias Grigoriadis, The Canadian Press
