For anyone seeking a quarterback controversy on the Alouettes, there is none. We hate to disappoint you.
What this season has established is that Montreal can win no matter who’s behind centre — veteran starter Cody Fajardo or his more-than-capable backup Davis Alexander. The Als haven’t had this much depth, or talent, at the position for years. All that remains to be determined is whether general manager Danny Maciocia can get Alexander, a potential free agent in February, under contract.
Playing for the first time in nearly two months while Fajardo remained home in Nevada following the birth of his second child, Alexander led the Als to a hard-fought 19-12 victory against the Ottawa Redblacks on Thanksgiving afternoon at Molson Stadium before a capacity crowd of 23,035 — many of the ticket-buyers deciding to remain home given the constant rain that fell, along with the cold and blustery conditions.
The win improved the Als’ record to 12-3-1 and marked the first time since 2010 the team has won that many games in a season. If you believe in good omens, Montreal captured the Grey Cup that season. It also marked the Als’ eighth consecutive victory against the Redblacks.
Alexander, now in his third season with Montreal, was far from perfect. But he certainly played well enough, given the elements. He completed 14 of 24 passes for 208 yards. And while he threw an interception just before halftime that resulted in an Ottawa field goal — one of four for the visitors — that can be attributed to miscommunication between the quarterback and the intended receiver.
Nonetheless, Alexander shouldn’t have thrown the ball directly to Damon Webb.
“I thought we played well,” Alexander said. “We started out pretty good, going up 13-0. We had the interception at the end of the half which kind of sucks. Just a little bit of miscommunication. Ultimately that falls on me. I have to make a better decision. I kind of thought it should have been an out-route. I can’t throw that ball, regardless. There’s an easy reset back to the middle. That’s on me.”
There’s something exciting and unpredictable about Alexander, 25. Not only is he fun to watch, he’s a winner. He’s now undefeated in four starts and 5-0 overall this season, having filled in for Fajardo (hamstring) earlier. And he clearly has nerves of steel, seen signing autographs in the end zone before the opening kickoff.
Alexander throws a good ball with velocity although, given the conditions, some of his passes floated. He can deliver a ball into a tight window, although there were times he ill-advisedly threw into coverage. And Alexander has spunk, not afraid to get in the face of Redblacks safety Monshadrick Hunter, the two continuing an early-game verbal battle.
Alexander’s a leader. Period.
He’s also elusive and is a threat along the ground. He gained 45 yards on six carries and scored Montreal’s only touchdown on a six-yard run. There’s no doubt he took some hits and will have to be more prudent as his career evolves, but he’s not afraid to lower his helmet and take the brunt of a collision.
“The (hits) where he doesn’t have a chance to do something? No, we’re never excited about him taking any hits like that,” head coach Jason Maas admitted. “If he manoeuvres out of the pocket and he starts to move, he’s going to get hit. If he can protect himself, great. It’s the ones in the pocket you’d prefer him not to be (hit).
“We’ve got to be better in front of him. That’s the bottom line. Our quarterbacks are tough. They have to stand in the pocket to deliver and show that resiliency and resolve. But you never want (hits) to happen.”
Alexander was sacked four times behind an offensive line that continues to seek more consistency.
Austin Mack, in his return after missing four games with an ankle injury, proved dominant. He caught four passes for 92 yards, including a 50-yarder. And while tailback Walter Fletcher was ordinary along the ground, he also caught two passes for 45 yards. Ever reliable placekicker Jose Maltos added four field goals for Montreal, the longest from 47 yards.
The Als also produced a solid defensive effort, bending but never breaking. Montreal kept Ottawa out of the end zone, although the visitors three times were inside the 15-yard line. Defensive-back Wesley Sutton had one interception and made a great play in the end zone when the Redblacks threatened to score. Defensive-end Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund had both of Montreal’s sacks. And while the Als have had trouble stopping the run, Ottawa tailback Khalan Laborn was held to 55 yards on 10 carries.
All of this should be kept in perspective, however. The Redblacks have been decimated with injuries and were missing leading receiver Justin Hardy (ankle) along with quarterback Dru Brown, although 36-year-old Jeremiah Masoli isn’t a bad alternative. Ottawa (8-7-1) has now lost four consecutive games.
The Als, on a short week, must now fly across the country to meet B.C. on Saturday — an absolutely ludicrous decision that could result in injuries. Montreal then returns home against Winnipeg on Oct. 26, a game that has significantly more meaning to the Blue Bombers in their pursuit of first place in the West Division.