Around the CFL: After 7-0 start, Alouettes streaking the other way

By Fred Williams Aug 26, 2006, 14:35 GMT

Montreal, QC - It's the big question across the CFL: What's wrong with the Montreal Alouettes?

After winning its first seven games of the season, Montreal finds itself streaking in the opposite direction. On Thursday, the Alouettes dropped a 41-23 verdict to the Calgary Stampeders for their third straight loss.

'I don't know what to say,' quarterback Anthony Calvillo told reporters afterwards. 'I don't have any answers.'

Unfortunately for the Alouettes, they don't have time to feel sorry for themselves. Next week, they face the B.C. Lions, who are first in the West Division standings with a 7-3 record and will also have the luxury of coming off a bye week.

Last week, Calvillo threw five interceptions in Montreal's 31-6 loss to the Toronto Argonauts. He only had one interception against Calgary, but the Stampeders dominated the Alouettes in the second half at Molson Stadium, outscoring the East Division leaders by a 28-7 margin.

The Alouettes' most consistent offensive threat was kicker Damon Duval, who had five field goals. Calgary kicker Sandro DeAngelis, whose two 50-plus yard field goals two weeks ago helped the Stampeders hand Montreal its first loss of the season 27-24, was a solid performer again with four field goals.

ORIGINAL SCORE: Jeremaine Copeland re-affirmed his reputation as one of the CFL's most imagination TD celebrants in Calgary's win Thursday night.

After catching a three-yard touchdown pass from Henry Burris in the second half, Copeland strolled over to the end zone marker and sat down behind it. Three other members of Calgary's receiving corps sat down behind him and then Copeland moved the marker to the right to simulate the direction of a bobsled. The receivers behind him all tilted to their right, as it being pulled by the momentum of their imaginary sled.

Then, when Copeland moved the marker to his left, all four leaned to their left as well.

Ironically, the headquarters for Canada's national bobsled team is located in Calgary.

OOPS: When the Calgary Stampeders did their walk-through Wednesday leading up to their game against the Montreal Alouettes, they did so in their street clothes.

That's because their equipment ended up in Ottawa.

Fortunately for the Stampeders, members of the McGill Redmen were on hand and lent the CFL club some footballs so they could at least do more than just go through the motions.

The equipment, fortunately, arrived in Montreal later that night.

LINEUP CHANGE: The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will have a new middle linebacker for their rematch Saturday versus the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Ankle injuries will keep starter Bobby Brooks and his backup, Agustin Barrenechea out of the lineup. So Steve Josue will make his debut at the position against the Riders. Josue has previous experience as an outside linebacker and did line up as a rush end in the Ticats' 20-2 loss to the Toronto Argonauts two weeks ago.

Josue could've picked a better team to make his middle linebacking debut against. Last week, Roughriders running back Kenton Keith rushed for 148 yards and a touchdown and also had 101 yards receiving on two catches and another touchdown to lead Saskatchewan to a convincing 46-15 win over Hamilton at Mosaic Stadium.

BAKER RETIRES: The Winnipeg Blue Bombers recently picked up receiver Robert Baker off waivers from the Toronto Argonauts.

But Baker won't be heading to Winnipeg anytime soon, if at all.

Baker, twice a 1,000-yard receiver with Toronto, has informed the Bombers that he's retiring in order to pursue a musical career as a rap artist. Apparently, Baker decided to turn his back on a contract that was scheduled to pay him $450,000 over the next four years to go into music.

Baker, who goes by the name of Shake Severs in the music industry, is currently recording a rap album.

© 2006 The Sports Network