Updated June 9! Als news cont! Wow! Coach Mike Sherman fired!

[Myk Aussie]

Report direct from Als media. Alouettes acquire quarterback Johnny Manziel.

Montreal, July 22, 2018 – The Montreal Alouettes announced on Sunday that the club has acquired Hamilton Tiger-Cats' quarterback Johnny Manziel, as well as offensive linemen Tony Washington (I) and Landon Rice (N). In return, the Tiger-Cats receive the Alouettes' first draft picks in 2020 and 2022, defensive lineman Jamaal Westerman and receiver Chris Williams. 

Manziel is reunited with Alouettes' head coach Mike Sherman, who recruited him in the NCAA, in 2012, with the Texas A&M Aggies.

Manziel (6'0'', 210 lbs) was a first round pick in the NFL, 22nd overall, by the Cleveland Browns. He played 14 games in the NFL, in 2014 and 2015, throwing seven touchdown passes and won 1675 yards with the Browns. The 25-year-old athlete, from Tyler, TX, won the Heisman Trophy in 2012 with the Aggies, becoming the only freshman to win this honour. 

In two pre-season games with the Tiger-Cats, he completed 21 of his 31 passes (67.7%), including one for a touchdown. He also kept the ball six times for 19 rushing yards.

Washington (6'7'', 318 lbs) played 92 games in nine seasons in the CFL, playing forthe Stampeders, Argonauts and Eskimos before joining the Tiger-Cats. The 32-year-old native of New Orleans,LA, raised the Grey Cup in 2012 (Toronto) and in 2015 (Edmonton).

Rice (6'6'', 317 lbs) has been playing in the CFL with the Tiger-Cats since 2014. The Canadian offensive lineman, a native of Brandon, Manitoba, has played 58 games since his professional debut. He played with the University of Manitoba Bisons from 2007 to 2012 and lifted the Vanier Cup in his first year.

"We have acquired an exceptional quarterback with undeniable talent," said Kavis Reed, General Manager of the Alouettes. "With his great mobility, his athletic abilities and his instinct we believe that hewill have a positive impact on our offense. Landon Rice and Tony Washington are two skilled players that will considerably solidify our offensive line."

The Alouettes will host the Edmonton Eskimos on Thursday July 26, at 7:30 p.m. The game will be presented on TSN and TSN 690. Tickets are still available for the game at MontrealAlouettes.com.

Charles Rooke

[Myk Aussie]

Report direct from Als media. Montreal Alouettes acquire Slotback Adarius Bowman!

Montreal, July 23, 2018 – The Montreal Alouettes announced Monday that the club has acquired Slotback Adarius Bowman from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, in exchange for a conditional 8th round pick in the 2019 CFL Draft.

Bowman, (6'3'', 215 lbs) has played in 130 career regular season games, tallying 622 receptions, 9,119 yards and 48 touchdowns. He has also recorded 40 receptions for 622 yards and six touchdowns in postseason play, while also registering four receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown in a 2015 Grey Cup victory
with Edmonton. He is one of only 10 players to ever record at least three 200-plus yard receiving games.

Bowman is in his 11th season in the CFL. He previously played for the Roughriders, the Blue Bombers and the Eskimos. The 33-year-old Chattanooga, TN native played for the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the NCAA.

The new Alouettes slotback is also a three-time CFL All-Star (2014-2015-2016) and three-time West Division All-Star (2014-2015-2016). In 2017, he was honoured with the 2017 Tom Pate Memorial Award, given to a player who has made a significant contribution to his team and his community.

The Alouettes also added the following players to the roster:

Austin Apodaca (I), QB, New Mexico
Ryan Brown (I), DT, Mississippi State
Jermaine Robinson (I), DB, Toledo.

Charles Rooke

[Myk Aussie]

Report direct from Als media. Alouettes acquire defensive back T.J. Heath!

Montreal, July 29, 2018 – The Montreal Alouettes announced on Sunday that the club has acquired international defensive back T.J. Heath and the Toronto Argonauts third round pick in the 2020 CFL Draft, in exchange for national offensive lineman Ryan Bomben as well as the Alouettes fifth round draft pick in 2020.

Heath (6'1", 181 lbs.) was named a CFL All Star in 2016 and 2017. So far this season, the 30-year-old athlete made 24 defensive tackles, while intercepting two passes with the Argonauts. In three seasons in the CFL with Toronto and Winnipeg, the Alexandria, AL native amassed 139 defensive tackles in 40 games, while picking off an impressive total of 14 passes.

Charles Rooke

[Myk Aussie]

Manziel to start vs Tiger-Cats! Copy this link to read.
cfl.ca/2018/07/31/johnny-spot-manziel-make-debut-als-confirm-starter/

[Myk Aussie]

Report direct from Als media. Montreal Alouettes Statement. Montreal, August 15, 2018 – The Montreal Alouettes made the following statement on Wednesday.

"On Tuesday morning, Johnny Manziel mentioned to our medical staff that he felt symptoms that could be associated with the prescribed medication he uses for a previously diagnosed medical condition. He then missed practice in order to have some blood work done. In view of the hit he received on Saturday and the potential mitigating side effects of his prescribed medication, the Alouettes medical staff has placed Manziel under the CFL concussion protocol for further observation and precautionary reasons. Manziel will be closely observed and assessed in the next few days."
 
Charles Rooke

[Myk Aussie]

Report direct from Als media. Alouettes transactions.

Montreal, August 21, 2018  – The Montreal Alouettes announced the following transactions on Tuesday:

Players added to the practice roster
Jamari Staples (I), WR, Louisville
Tresor Buama-Mafuta (N), DL, St.Mary's

Players released
T.J. Graham (I), WR, North Carolina State
Michael Hill (I), DL, Ohio State
Joe Rankin (I), DB, Morgan State

Charles Rooke

[Myk Aussie]

Report direct from Als media. Gabriel Knapton back with the Alouettes.

Montreal, August 27, 2018  – The Montreal Alouettes announced on Monday that the club has signed international defensive end Gabriel Knapton.

Knapton (6'3'', 265 lbs.) returns to Montreal after playing the first four seasons on his career in the city from 2014 to 2017. In 76 career-games in the CFL, the 29-year-old amassed 192 defensive tackles, including ten for losses, while registering 33 quarterback sacks. He also forced two fumbles and recovered one. Following his first CFL season in 2014, he was voted the Alouettes Most Outstanding Rookie.

In eight games this season with the British Columbia Lions, Knapton cumulated 15 defensive tackles, including a quarterback sack.

The Alouettes also announced that the club has signed international defensive back Greg Reid to the practice roster. The former Florida State University Seminole most recently played for the Washington Valor in the Arena Football League (AFL). He led the NCAA with an 18.4-yard punt return average with the Seminoles in 2009. He was elected the AFL rookie of the year in 2014 and was twice voted an AFL all star.

The club also announced that defensive tackles Tresor Mufata and Michael Hill were released, as were defensive back Armagedon Draughn as well as quarterback Austin Apodaca.

[Myk Aussie]

"Really looking forward to watching @JManziel2 start for the Als tonight! #CFL ! I took him in TSN #CFLFantasy re the price and believing he will play well!" @MykAussie

[Myk Aussie]

Transactions. Report direct from Als media.

Montreal, September 25, 2018 – The Montreal Alouettes announced on Tuesday that the club has added the following players to the practice roster:

Zachary Parker (I), WR, Virginia State
Damond Powell (I), WR, Iowa

Charles Rooke

[Myk Aussie]

Report direct from Als media. Alouettes acquire BC Lions 2019 second round pick.

Montreal, September 25, 2018 – The Montreal Alouettes announced on Tuesday that the club has acquired the BC Lions second round pick and a conditional sixth round pick in the 2019 CFL Canadian Draft in exchange for international running back Tyrell Sutton, as well as the Alouettes 2019 third round pick (acquired from Saskatchewan).

Sutton (5'8", 213 lbs.) played six seasons in Montreal, amassing 3,573 yards on 649 carries in 69 games. The 31-year-old running back gained 417 yards and scored one touchdown on 86 rushes in nine games this season.

"We would like to thank Tyrell for everything he has done for the Alouettes on the field and in the community. In both cases, he gave it his all," declared Alouettes General Manager Kavis Reed. "It is never an easy task to trade a veteran player who is liked by his teammates and our fans. We are confident that the players we have in place will be able to get the job done as they have stepped in when their numbers were called this season."

Charles Rooke

[Myk Aussie]

Report direct from Als media. Alouettes extend quarterbacks Antonio Pipkin, Vernon Adams Jr. and Jeff Mathews' contracts.

Montreal, October 28, 2018 – The Montreal Alouettes announced on Sunday that the club has extended international quarterbacks Antonio Pipkin, Vernon Adams Jr. and Jeff Mathews' contracts. Adams Jr. and Pipkin signed two-year extensions and will remain with the Alouettes in 2019 and 2020, while Mathews signed a one-year deal through 2019.

"We have stabilized our quarterback position by extending the contracts of these three young, talented and hard working players," said General Manager Kavis Reed. "All three have proven this year that they have the assets to excel at this position. "

Pipkin (6'3'', 225 lbs.) joined the Alouettes in 2017 and saw action in the team's season finale. In eight games this season he completed 65 of 106 passes for 857 yards and a touchdown. He gained 211 yards on 36 runs and leads the team with six rushing touchdowns.

He appeared in 44 consecutive games at Tiffin University, including 41 starts, and guided the Dragons to their first winning season since joining the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 2007. He generated 13,147 yards of total offence, including more than 2,200 rushing yards. Over four seasons, he threw 88 touchdown passes and scored 25 times. Pipkin remains only the third player in Division II history to have passed for more than 10,000 yards and rushed for over 2,000.

Adams Jr. (5'10'', 195 lbs.) returned to the Alouettes in June 2018, after starting his professional career with the team in 2016. The 25-year-old played 38 games in the CFL, including 27 with the Alouettes. This season, the Pasadena, CA native earned 220 passing yards while completing 16 of 33 passes. He added 99 rushing yards on 13 carries to his total, while reaching the end zone twice.

Since joining the CFL, the former Oregon University Duck completed 59 of 111 passes for 803 yards and four touchdowns.

Mathews (6'4'', 225 lbs.), who is playing in his fourth season in the CFL and joined the Alouettes in June 2018. In 43 CFL games, the former Cornell University Big Red completed 173 of 265 for 2,122 yards and threw eight touchdowns, and also registered nine rushing touchdowns. He played his first two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats before joining the Argos. This season, he completed 29 of 47 for 396 yards and one touchdown.
 
The Camarillo, CA native completed his collegiate career with 11,284 passing yards, which is not only a Cornell record, but also an Ivy League mark. In 38 games with the Big Red, he completed 901 of 1447 passes, including 72 for touchdowns. Following his stellar days at Cornell, he was a member of the Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals.

Charles Rooke

[Myk Aussie]

Report direct from Als media. Alouettes 2018 Most Outstanding players: Muamba, Stanback and Matte honoured.

Montreal, October 31, 2018 – The Canadian Football League unveiled the 2018 teams' Most Outstanding Players on Wednesday, and national linebacker Henoc Muamba received a unanimous triple nomination from voters as the Alouettes Most Outstanding Canadian Player, Defensive Player and Outstanding Player.

Running back William Stanback was elected the team's Most Outstanding Rookie and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player nominations, while veteran Kristian Matte was unanimously voted the team's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.

Muamba, who was one the CFL's most sought after free agents last winter, is having a 2018 season to remember as he leads the team and the division with 100 defensive tackles. The 31-year-old also registered five quarterback sacks and 11 tackles for losses, while forcing a fumble and recovering one. Playing in the city he grew up in, Muamba showed he could also excel in coverage as he intercepted one pass he returned for 39 yards, while knocking down another. The linebacker was also voted the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2013, as well as the team's Most Outstanding Canadian in 2012 and 2013.

Stanback amassed 508 rushing yards on 75 runs, maintaining an average of 6.8 yards per carry, on top of catching 20 passes for 210 yards and two majors in only six starts. The 24-year-old also amassed 464 yards on 19 kickoff returns. Stanback leads all East Division rookies with 1,182 combined yards in 14 games.

Always versatile, Kristian Matte made 15 starts at centre as well as two at guard in 2018, helping the team deal with injuries and changes which affected the offensive line. Despite of all that, the offensive line anchored by Matte helped the Alouettes' offence rank first in the CFL with an average of 5.8 yards per carry. The team also ranks fourth with 1,763 rushing yards. This marks Matte's third consecutive nomination as the team's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.

The award recipients were selected by voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and CFL head coaches.

The East and West Division winners for the 2018 Shaw CFL Awards will be announced on Thursday, November 8. The 2018 Shaw CFL Awards will take place on Thursday, November 22 in Edmonton, Alberta at Winspear.

Charles Rooke

[Myk Aussie]

I've been to the Als Grey Cup party! Was fun as it was in a nightclub and very cool environment and yes the cheerleaders were beautiful and friendly mixing with the crowd.

From the Als. Fans invited to the ‟Montreal Huddle", presented by the Cheerleaders!

Montreal, November 21 2017 – The Montreal Alouettes cheerleaders are pleased to invite fans and members of the media to their annual ‟Montreal Huddle" party, which will be held on Saturday November 24, as part of the Grey Cup festivities. ‟Montreal Huddle" is the ultimate destination for Alouettes fans and all CFL fans on the weekend of the big game.

This year's party will be held at Anthem Bar on Jasper Avenue in the heart of downtown Edmonton. Close to hotels, restaurants and just a short bus or cab ride away from Commonwealth Stadium.

Join the Als' cheerleaders and some special guests from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. for this unique event featuring special performances from various CFL cheer teams and door prizes!

Admission is only $20 and tickets are available at the door on the day of the event or online at the Alouettes ticketmaster.com. Please note that people must be 18 years-old and over to attend this event.

What: ‟Montreal Huddle", presented by the Alouettes cheerleaders

When: Saturday, November 24th, from 7 :00 to 10 :00 p.m. ET

Where: Anthem Bar, 10736 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 2A7

Who: The Als' cheerleaders and some special guests from various CFL cheer teams and much more!
 
Media are asked to confirm their presence before Friday, November 23, at 12 p.m. ET with Francis Dupont, Communications Manager with the Montreal Alouettes at the following address: fdupont@montrealalouettes.com.

Charles Rooke

[Myk Aussie]

Report direct from Als media.  Kristian Matte returns with the Alouettes for a tenth season.

Montreal, December 3 2018 –The Montreal Alouettes have secured an important part of their offence for next year, as the club announced that national offensive lineman Kristian Matte signed a new one-year deal.

Matte (6'4'', 296 lbs.) made 15 starts at centre as well as three at guard in 2018. The 33-year-old athlete helped the Alouettes' offence rank first in the CFL with an average of 5.7 yards per carry.
 
Matte was voted the Alouettes Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman for a third consecutive year this fall. In 2017, he was elected the Alouettes Most Outstanding Canadian.

The Saint-Hubert, QC native began his CFL career with the Alouettes in 2010 and he will be playing in a tenth season with the team with wich he won the Grey Cup, in 2010.
 
"Kristian is among the top offensive linemen in the CFL and we are delighted to have him back in our lineup next season," said Alouettes General Manager Kavis Reed. "His commendable knowledge of our offence and of our league make all of our players better. His valuable experience is also a great asset for our younger players".

Matte was drafted in the first round (seventh overall) by the Alouettes in the 2010 CFL Canadian Draft, following a brilliant university career with the Concordia University Stingers, which lead him to sign a contract with the Houston Texans. He had previously played for the Vanier Cegep Cheetahs.

Charles Rooke

[Myk Aussie]

Report direct from Als media. Alouettes ink two-year deal with Tony Washington.

Montreal, December 11, 2018 – The Montreal Alouettes announced on Tuesday that the club has signed international offensive lineman Tony Washington to a two-year deal.

Washington (6'7'', 318 lbs.) will return with the Alouettes in 2019, after being acquired from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last July, alongside quarterback Johnny Manziel. He will be entering his ninth season in the CFL, having played in 104 games, including 103 as a starter.

"Tony is one of the best offensive tackles in the CFL and he did a tremendous job to stabilize our offensive line upon his arrival last season", said Alouettes General Manager Kavis Reed. "His valuable experience, his Grey Cup victories and his positive attitude all represent great assets for our offence and our team."

Before becoming an Alouette, Washington lined up with the Calgary Stampeders, Toronto Argonauts, Edmonton Eskimos and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The 32 year-old New Orleans, LA native won the Grey Cup in 2012 (Toronto) and 2015 (Edmonton).

Prior to starting his professionnel career in the CFL, he played his collegiate football for the Albilene Christian University Wildcats.

Charles Rooke