Their path to the playoffs having been clear since they won the Eastern section title, the Montreal Alouettes now have another objective.
With three games remaining in the regular season, the Alouettes have no intention of letting up and plan to use these three games to ensure they are ready for the Eastern Final on November 9 , regardless of the opponent. On Monday, Montrealers will receive a visit from the Ottawa Rouge et Noir.
“There is no game that is unimportant for us,” head coach Jason Maas said in an interview with radio station TSN 690 on Wednesday. “We talked to our guys after the Toronto game [le 28 septembre]while we were assured of first place and direct access [pour la finale de l’Est]. We told them not to stop there. We remain on our guard. »
Maas added that while he intends to make sure all players on the team have experience and are ready for the playoffs, he intends to play his starters in every game remaining.
“We told our starters that if they are healthy, they will play, like they would at the beginning of the year,” Maas revealed. “Even if they’re a little banged up, they’re going to play. That’s our mentality, that’s how we’re going to stay sharp. We will not offer rest unless there is a health problem. »
One of the players Maas wants to keep ready even if he isn’t a starter is quarterback Davis Alexander. The 25-year-old center assumed the No. 1 role for four games when Cody Fajardo sat out with a hamstring injury.
Davis kept the Alouettes afloat during Fajardo’s absence, going 4-0 with 972 yards, six touchdowns and an interception.
“Certainly you could see Davis play, because we will need him down the stretch,” Maas hinted. “If something were to happen in the playoffs, you want all your guys to have experience and be ready to play. »
The Alouettes are also in better health as the end of the season approaches. Entering Week 17, before their bye week, every player listed on their injury report was available except for backup quarterback Caleb Evans, who is out with a knee injury.
The team is still without receivers Tyson Philpot and Austin Mack, who just signed a new contract, but Maas believes his team’s journey with injuries this season has only enriched his club heading into the playoffs.
“We’ve faced challenges like every other team throughout the year, there’s no doubt about that. The reason we don’t use it as an excuse is that it has been positive at times because we have [maintenant] experienced guys in our locker room.
“We have a lot of guys who have played for us before, so our practices are better, and experience is what you want to have down the stretch. I think we’re where we need to be to finish the year strong going into the playoffs.
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