2011 Grey Cup Predictions – Team Preview – Montreal Alouettes
Is the CFL’s Eastern Division finally up for grabs in 2011 after years of dominance by the Montreal Alouettes? That’s the big question entering this season, one of the most anticipated in recent years. The Als have traditionally owned the East, representing the division in the Grey Cup a whopping eight times from 2000 to 2010.
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2010 record: 12-6
ATS: 8-10
So why are so many of the Als’ rivals newly optimistic this season? After all, the Als have won back-to-back Grey Cups and are shooting for a three-peat.
The truth is that I’ve never seen Montreal enter a season with this many question marks during this current era of dominance. First off, there’s quarterback Anthony Calvillo. He’s a guaranteed CFL Hall-of-Famer, second all-time in passing yards, fourth all-time in passing yards for all of professional football, a three-time Grey Cup champ and a three-time MVP. Year in, year out, it seems there’s no better signal caller in the league. He’ll likely pass Damon Allen to become the all-time passing leader this season.
But the man had a major hurdle to overcome this offseason. Calvillo had surgery to remove a cancerous lesion from his thyroid; no one knew if he’d even play football again. By all accounts, the operation was successful and Calvillo looks like he’ll return to start Week 1 after all, but he’s 38 years old. Do we know for sure that the vet will return at full strength?
Even if he does, Calvillo has lost some key members of his supporting staff. Longtime stalwart wideout Ben Cahoon retired and will coach the receivers at BYU now. The Alouettes also let star running back and 2009 Grey Cup MVP Avon Colbourne walk as a free agent this offseason. They figured they’d be fine and replace him with former NFL star Ahman Green. [ad-4437448]
That didn’t work out so well. Green arrived at camp with a hamstring injury and has already been cut from the team. So who will get the rock for the Montreal Alouettes this season? It appears that Brandon Whitaker will battle with free-agent signees Yvenson Bernard and DeAndra’ Cobb for carries.
As for Cahoon’s void, coach Marc Trestman hopes Danny Desriveaux and Eris Deslauriers will step up. Another guy to watch is Prechae Rodriguez, who flashed major skill with 70 catches and 1,099 yards as a rookie but has faded since. Montreal could be the perfect place for his redemption. In the end, it’s up to S.J. Green to really carry the load. He caught 10 touchdown passes last season.
Montreal’s defense also has some question marks. Despite winning it all, this team had the league’s second-worst pass defense and lost Matthieu Proulx to retirement. The Als have, however, added mouthy corner Dwight Anderson to the secondary, so maybe they won’t miss a beat.
Alouettes 2011 Outlook
The Montreal Alouettes are the New England Patriots of the CFL. Every year, people write them off and assume this is the year the empire finally crumbles. It’s understandable why bettors may expect that to happen, as Montreal really did lose some important personnel over the offseason.
However, I still like the Als to persevere for the same reason the Patriots do: quarterbacking and coaching. Calvillo is long in the tooth but he’s shown no signs of slowing down, having won the last two league MVP awards. Sure, he’ll miss Cahoon, but Cahoon was largely good because he spent his whole career catching passes from arguably the greatest quarterback in CFL history.
Trestman keeps it simple and relies heavily on the passing game, so maybe Colbourne’s departure won’t be disastrous either. The road may be tougher – 10 or 11 wins may be more realistic – but I still expect Montreal to contend for the Grey Cup.
Alouettes 2011 Futures
Grey Cup odds: +250
Eastern Division odds: +100
Alouettes 2011 Predictions
East Division: 1st
Over/Under Season Wins prediction: Under 11.5 wins
3 replies on “2011 Montreal Alouettes CFL Team Preview/Predictions”
Ahmen Green is the answer at RB? Wow…shocking
Calvillio has had a great offensive line to protect him that is why he does well year after year the last decade……Greatest CFL qb of all time NO…..but by winning the last 2 Grey Cups he certainly has jumped into the Top 10 no question…….as for SJ GREEN he had the catch of the year in both the CFL and NFL in my opinion and is a tremendous receiver great hands and a big target…..look for the NFL to try and take him away when his contract is uo.
Calvillio has had a great offensive line to protect him that is why he does well year after year the last decade……Greatest CFL qb of all time NO…..but by winning the last 2 Grey Cups he certainly has jumped into the Top 10 no question…….as for SJ GREEN he had the catch of the year in both the CFL and NFL in my opinion and is a tremendous receiver great hands and a big target…..look for the NFL to try and take him away when his contract is uo.