CFL: The Alouettes release Christophe Normand

You will be able to watch the match Red and Black v. Alouettes, Friday evening at 7 p.m. on RDS and beyond RDS.ca.

Pre-match red and black v. larks

MONTREAL – Alottes fired full back Christophe Norman. Normand, who was arrested last week and then accused of luring someone he believes to be under 16, an act that allegedly happened on August 9, has been one of the best acts of his career for a few seasons.

So the Alois find themselves with a huge gap in the center of defence. However, the Montreal team is considering several scenarios to make up for this loss.

The central defender’s role is ambiguous, but very essential: he acts as a barrier in many ground games as well as supporting blocks in the pass. This is the reason why three scenarios were studied by Alouettes.

“It’s a hard-to-replace piece: this player has been one of the top players in his league for two or three years, Andre Bolduc noted before the release was announced at the start of the day on Wednesday. So we’re going to be using everyone collectively. Pier-Olivier Lestage will be involved. Alexandre Jani will be in. We will add receivers, such as the Régis Cibasu, who has a large size and can do things for me, that’s for sure.”

“Still CFL: There are a lot of five-receiver schemes on the field. Except we’ve been running really well with a central defender. There are things you’ve done in the past that will come back; things that work really well. Giving Pier-Olivier more playing time would be good. For him, in order to prepare him when he finds himself on the field full time.”

The offensive line man, who joined the Aloitte a few weeks ago after being cut off from the Seattle Seahawks camp, didn’t ask for more.

“I definitely expect to have more responsibilities with one less start,” Lestage said in the morning. I’m ready for that. I am very happy to be able to play more. I can’t wait to see how it goes in the game (on Friday). »

Gagné, listed as a full-back on the Alouettes website but mainly used in special teams, where he excels this season, will not be in a completely unknown territory.

“I am still comfortable in the position, because last year I trained in attack and I know the rules of the game very well,” Gagné noted. It’s nothing new: I was always preparing to replace Christian in case of injury. So it’s not a new routine, just that the opportunity will come more often on the field. »

In addition to Cibasu (six feet three, 232 pounds) who can be included as a “receiver blocker” in certain plays, rookie Tyson Philpott, who has recovered from the concussion he suffered in a recent Aloitt game against Tiger-Cats in “Hamilton,” can also be used.

“No matter how much the team needs me, I’d be happy to do anything for them,” Philpott said. The more chances to play, the better off you are. »