Alouettes host the Eskimos: Five things you should know
Here are five things you should know about the Edmonton Eskimos-Alouettes game at Molson Stadium on Sunday (1 p.m., TSN, RDS, TSN Radio-690).
Matchup: Both teams are new to the CFL playoffs. The Eskimos failed to qualify last season while the Als haven’t reached the post-season since 2014. Montreal (10-8 finished second in the East Division, while the Eskimos (8-10) were fourth in the West Division, but qualified as a crossover team because they had more wins than Toronto and Ottawa. These teams split two games this season. The Als were outscored 32-25 at Commonwealth Stadium in the opening game, but exacted their revenge July 20, at home, winning 20-10.
Injuries: Although he was able to practice on Thursday and Friday, the Als have decided to place veteran receiver DeVier Posey on the one-game injured list. He also was scratched from the last two regular-season games. He’s joined by receiver Chris Matthews, who hasn’t played regularly since his release from Winnipeg. The visitors will play this game with a depleted secondary. Forrest Hightower sustained an injury in practice this week, while Monshadrick Hunter underwent wrist surgery on Friday. To try to compensate, Edmonton pulled Canadian cornerback Arjen Colquhoun off the six-game injured list. He’s expected to back up non-import Godfrey Onyeka.
QBs:Vernon Adams Jr. became the Als’ starter in Edmonton, after Antonio Pipkin sustained an injury. And Adams has held onto the role ever since. He passed for 3,942 yards this season along with 24 touchdowns. While he was intercepted 13 times, four of those came in one game, in Winnipeg. The mobile Adams poses a dual threat as a runner as well. He gained 394 yards on 82 carries (4.8-yard average) while scoring 12 touchdowns, mostly on short-yardage plays. This will be the first CFL playoff start for the 26-year-old.
Trevor Harris, conversely, is 33, and now in his eighth CFL season — first with the Eskimos, who signed him from Ottawa as a free agent last February. Harris, however, missed significant time this season with a forearm injury. He started only one game down the stretch, against Saskatchewan, then was rested in the season finale. He has considerable playoff and Grey Cup experience. Despite being limited to 13 games, he threw for 4,027 yards and 16 TDs. He was intercepted only six times.
Receivers: Without Posey and Matthews, the Als will rely heavily on Eugene Lewis, their leading receiver this season. He caught 72 passes for 1,133 yards while scoring five TDs. Quan Bray returns to the active roster, while Jake Wieneke is the division finalist as outstanding rookie. The Eskimos have two of the league’s top-10 receivers in Greg Ellingson and Ricky Collins Jr. Ellingson, who came over from the Redblacks last winter as a free agent, caught 86 passes for 1,170 yards, while Collins had 78 receptions for 1,103.
They combined for eight TDs.
News you need: These teams last met in the playoffs on Nov. 15, 2008 in the East final, with the Als prevailing, 36-26. … This is the Als’ sixth playoff game against a crossover team. They’ve yet to lose. … Defensive-lineman Gabriel Knapton, just signed by Montreal on Wednesday, has been activated although he hasn’t played in a year.
montrealgazette.com/sports/football/cfl/montreal-alouettes/montreal-alouettes-host-the-edmonton-eskimos-five-things-you-should-know
In other CFL news today, Rick Campbell resigned as head coach of the Ottawa Redblacks. Wish you well Rick.
GO DIRTY BIRDS GO!
