On the eve of the opening of the Montreal Alouettes training camp to begin Sunday in Trois-Rivières, the organization expects several hot battles. These are 95 players who will try to carve out a place in the formation.

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"I'm not referring to the starting position, but there are going to be quarterback battles on our team," general manager Danny Maciocia said Saturday. We have five good quarterbacks, three of whom have experience in the Canadian Football League [in Vernon Adams, Trevor Harris and Dominique Davis]. »

Davis Alexander and Ben Holmes will try to dislodge the veterans.

Defensively, Maciocia is particularly enthusiastic about his troops.

"We have young defensive backs and players who have played in the NFL," he said. We spent a lot of time convincing them to come with us [...]. I can't wait to see our defensive line perform. We have good athletes who can play inside or outside the line.

Canadian players

The general manager believes that his team will stand out with the quality of its Canadian players. The main interested party was also very active during the last draft by carrying out a transaction to draft linebacker Tyrell Richards from Syracuse University in first place. The Alouettes also selected receiver Tyson Philpot with the ninth selection overall.

"Our Canadian content will be our strength," Maciocia said. There are 21 Canadian players in uniform, including seven starters. We're going to play with eight Canadian starters, that's for sure, and maybe nine. It's a flexibility that we didn't have last year. We have improved a lot.”

The risk of a strike hanging over the CFL does not worry Maciocia. He believes an agreement will be reached shortly.

Installations trifluviennes

The Alouettes will train at Cégep de Trois-Rivières, on the Diablos field, until the end of May, before facing the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton on May 28, in a preseason game. The general manager of the Alouettes praised the facilities of the Trifluviens which will be useful for all the logistics of a camp.

“We lack absolutely nothing, both on the ground and outside with the meeting rooms or the residences of the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières (UQTR), praised Danny Maciocia. I have a lot of questions on the pitch, but I have no questions off the pitch."

“We will be open and available to discuss with the supporters who will come and take the time to see us, said added Maciocia […]. The team belongs to them and it will be a great experience to share that with them.”

Fans will be able to attend the training sessions. The first practice is scheduled for Sunday at 8:30 a.m.