On Friday night, Sportsnet CFL Insider, Arash Madani broke the news through his Twitter account (@ArashMadani ) that the Montreal Alouettes would release receiver, Danny Desriveaux and defensive tackle, Eric Wilson.
Desriveaux’s release is not surprising considering the limited playing time he had received in the last few years. He was once considered to be the next great find by Jim Popp and his staff. In his first two years in the league, backing up the likes of Ben Cahoon, and Kerry Watkins he put up a total of 50 receptions, 549 yards, and two touchdowns.
However, 2009 onwards, even though he was dressed on game day, it seemed he was lost in the numbers at the deep receiver position and he could not crack the rotation for repetitions. Finally in 2011, he became somewhat of a ghost as the only times he was noticed, was in his uniform on the sidelines.
According to what I was told by my Alouettes source, management tried to trade him to another team, but there were no interest. Finally, with free agency just around the corner, he requested, and was granted his release from the team.
He could very well end up with the Toronto Argonauts. Head coach Scott Milanovich would need players who know his system. He has known Desriveaux throughout his time with the Alouettes. The key factor, he is a non-import which could bode well on a team lacking skilled Canadian receivers.
Moving forward
Currently, the Alouettes have one non-import player at the receiver position in recently signed Eric Deslauriers.
If management decides to scour through free agency for another non-import receiver,
I highly doubt they would set their sights on a big fish in Andy Fantuz. But they could target lesser known names in Matt Carter of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Aaron Hargreaves of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, or Andrew Nowacki of the Edmonton Eskimos.
Let’s not overlook this year’s CFL Draft is deep with Canadian receivers led by Laurier Golden Hawks, Shamawd Chambers, Sherbrooke Vert Et or Or duo of Ismael Bamba, and Simon Charbonneau-Campeau, and Concordia Stingers, Sanchez Deschamps.
This past season, there was an Alouettes scout in attendance for most of the Vert Et Or games, they could very well be looking at Bamba. He did play his first few years with the University of North Dakota before transferring to Sherbrooke.
His biggest strength is his punt return ability which was an issue with the Alouettes last season. Once he finds the seam, he has incredible straight line speed to burst through. But is he consistent enough to make an impact, and he has taken plays off if the football is not thrown towards his direction. Ironically, he is almost the same size as Desriveaux.
For now the situation will hold until further notice, but the Alouettes will lose another respected member of the community. But could Jim Popp consider bringing in another non-import receiver, knowing how talented that position group is.
You can follow me on Twitter @MoeKhan19
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Photo Credit: www.exruefrontenac.com
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