MONTREAL 鈥� The Montreal Alouettes will look to remain undefeated without a key piece on their defensive line.
The CFL announced on Thursday that Montreal star defensive lineman Shawn Lemon's suspension for allegedly gambling on sports in 2021 was reinstated. The news came as the Alouettes (4-0) prepared to take on the Calgary Stampeders (2-1) at Percival Molson Stadium on Saturday night.
However, Montreal head coach Jason Maas is confident in whoever is tasked with stepping into Lemon鈥檚 shoes in the meantime.
鈥淵ou gotta have a certain ability, a certain toughness and a certain effort to play on our team on defence, and when you have those attributes, the expectation is you can go in there and play,鈥� Maas said.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been able to do that very successfully because of the way we coach it, the way our guys play it, and it鈥檚 a group effort.鈥�
Maas chose not to comment on the situation itself after practice on Thursday, but general manager Danny Maciocia questioned the timing of the decision.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 condone what took place, there鈥檚 no place for that, let me make that crystal clear,鈥� Maciocia said. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 bothersome, I will admit, is that we鈥檙e three years removed 鈥� three teams removed 鈥� and it just happens to pop up at the beginning of the year.鈥�
Lemon was originally suspended on April 24, but an appeal allowed him to play for the Alouettes until the scheduled arbitration hearing on Friday. His suspension will be upheld until Aug. 1-2, when a final decision will be taken on the 35-year-old鈥檚 fate.
Lemon, a 13-year CFL veteran and three-time Grey Cup champion, has been instrumental to Montreal鈥檚 undefeated start to the year, racking up six tackles and a sack.
While Montreal will have to get creative with its defensive personnel in Lemon鈥檚 absence, it was the offence that witnessed the emergence of an unsung hero in a 30-20 win over the Toronto Argonauts last week.
Third-year receiver Cole Spieker caught eight passes for 113 yards, marking the fourth time an Alouettes receiver has tallied over 100 receiving yards in a game this season.
Despite the limited playing time before his breakout performance, Spieker says he鈥檚 always ready to go out and make a difference when his number is called.
鈥淚鈥檓 just glad that I was able to make the plays that were called upon me and that my coaches trust me,鈥� the 27-year-old told reporters. 鈥淲e鈥檙e super deep at receiver and we鈥檝e got a lot of guys that can make plays and step up each gameday.鈥�
The Alouettes boast the CFL鈥檚 most potent offence so far this season, putting up a total of 127 points through four games. Spieker credits the tight knit group for their ability to work together to put points on the board.
鈥淲e鈥檙e just building on our chemistry together and working together,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e just bounce off each other鈥檚 confidence and step up when our number is called.鈥�
Montreal now turns its attention to the Stampeders, who travel to Quebec fresh off a 22-19 overtime win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Calgary general manager and head coach Dave Dickenson is embracing the challenge of facing the defending Grey Cup champs and top-ranked team this early in the season.
鈥淲e know it鈥檚 a big challenge, but it鈥檚 something we鈥檙e looking forward to,鈥� Dickenson told reporters in Calgary on Wednesday. 鈥淚t鈥檚 gonna be tough, we get it, but we do want that challenge.
"We want to see how good this team can be and we want to see if we can go out there and get a win.鈥�
CALGARY STAMPEDERS (2-1) AT MONTREAL ALOUETTES (4-0)
Saturday, Percival Molson Stadium
HOME SWEET HOME: After playing three of their first four games of the season on the road, the Alouettes will kick off a three-game homestand on Saturday. Montreal routed the Ottawa Redblacks 47-21 in its only home game this year.
BROTHERLY RIVALRY: Saturday's contest will mark the first time the Philpot brothers will face off against each other in the CFL. Twins Tyson and Jalen 鈥� both wide receivers 鈥� were drafted in 2022, but Jalen has missed all three opportunities he鈥檚 had so far to suit up against Montreal.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 5, 2024.
Olivier Neven, The Canadian Press
