Ferguson: Alouettes in search of an identity

Marshall Ferguson

CFL.ca

The Montreal Alouettes offence is in search of an identity.

During the Alouettes organizational evolution from the Jim Popp era to the new regime of General Manager Kavis Reed and Head Coach Jacques Chapdelaine many changes were made both on and off the field.

Understandably the number of changes made should lead to some new learnings and forced friendships but we are now into the second half of the CFL season and the Alouettes offence has yet to find its rhythm.

Is Darian Durant to blame for Montreal’s identity struggles? (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

The Alouettes offence ranks 8th in most offensive categories, trailed only by the one-win Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who have changed play-callers, head coaches and quarterbacks. Montreal is averaging 20.3 points per game, 346.1 yards per game, 51.6 plays from scrimmage per outing and 27:36 time of possession.

There is never one aspect of a struggling offence which can be blamed for a systematic struggle to move the football but the conversation in Montreal inevitably revolves around Darian Durant.

This is not a new phenomenon. Quarterbacks get too much blame and too much credit depending on their teams win-loss record but the situation of Durant is unique in that his acquisition in the off-season was viewed by many as a game changer in the CFL’s East Division.

Alex Brink, Dan LeFevour, Rakeem Cato, Tanner Marsh, Brandon Bridge, Troy Smith, Josh Neiswander, the list goes on and on of starting quarterbacks come and gone in Montreal who will never compare to the career of Durant.

The problem is you can’t tell right now based on the on-field product.

What is especially concerning for the Alouettes decision makers is the early game inefficiency of Durant and the offence.

Of the eleven interceptions thrown by Durant this season three have come on the first drive. Not the first quarter, the first drive. That means that over a quarter (27.2%) of Durant’s interceptions thrown set the tone for the game which inevitably has a negative effect on offensive flow.

Through Week 11 the Alouettes opening drives have gone as follows,

Week 1: Three first downs on rushing plays before an incompletion and punt.
Week 2: Two and out.
Week 3: Two and out.
Week 4: Three plays and a punt.
Week 5: Interception thrown on the second play.
Week 6: Interception thrown on the second play.
Week 8: Four plays and a punt.
Week 9: Two and out.
Week 10: Six play drive ended with an interception thrown.
Week 11: Two and out.

It’s not how you start, football is about how you end. For the 2017 Montreal Alouettes offence I believe the end would be a lot better if the start was more productive.

Ernest Jackson has yet to find himself in a star receiver role in Montreal (The Canadian Press)

Part of the reason Montreal has a limited identity is the turnover at receiver. No matter what, Durant was going to be introducing himself to several new names due to his move East from Regina, but the Alouettes themselves have receivers trying to learn both the offence and Durant’s preferences.

Ernest Jackson has to be the most frustrating situation of this CFL season and it’s no fault of his own. Jackson has earned the right to be a feature receiver, especially in an offence devoid of multiple threats.

Nik Lewis is your possession guy and B.J. Cunningham has become the home run hitter which leaves Jackson in the sweet spot of the Alouettes offence where he can catch a lot of balls at intermediate distances and stretch the field occasionally.

That HAS happened. Just not with enough consistency to validate the offseason excitement when Jackson signed in free agency.

The Alouettes have a tall his to climb before the offence can be discussed amongst the CFL’s best and with an aging quarterback the mountain gets taller with each day.

The challenge falls to Jacques Chapdelaine and Anthony Calvillo to re-shape the offence to a productive force that can peak as the weather gets cooler.

It won’t be easy, but it’s possible.

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