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For the first time since the Alouettes' six-game losing streak began last month, it has been suggested by one of the team's veterans that everyone might not be pulling in the same direction.
"It comes down to what's inside of you. Do you want to get the job done or do you have an agenda?" said strong-side linebacker Timothy Strickland, who relays Montreal's defensive signals from the bench. "On film, it looks like some guys have agendas."
Strickland didn't say so, but if his assessment is correct, it might already be too late for this year's team to pull out of its slump and salvage what once was a promising season. Montreal won its first seven games, but is 7-6 and in a three-way dogfight in the East
Division with Toronto and Winnipeg. The Argonauts also are 7-6, while the Blue Bombers, who host the Als Friday, are 7-7.
Montreal hasn't clinched a playoff berth yet, but already has started its advertising campaign for the division semifinal or final, which it hopes to host. The Als would qualify for the postseason with a win at Winnipeg combined with an Edmonton loss at Saskatchewan on Sunday.
"Either you want to get it done or you don't," said Strickland, one of many players who joined the Als in 2002, after Montreal lost its final eight games the previous season, changed coaches and overhauled personnel.
"This isn't tennis or golf. It's a team sport. I can't speak how the other guys are thinking ... if their minds are on football or if they're thinking about their girlfriends or partying. I hope we've got the right guys in there so we can get everybody off our backs.
"I've been in here every morning, trying to help the guys," Strickland added. "But I can only control what I do."
The Als didn't go on the field yesterday. Instead, they spent the day watching film of Sunday's loss to Winnipeg, meeting and going over the game plan for this week's game. That means Montreal will have only one full practice today, along with a walk-through tomorrow morning, before flying west. And, at this point, what does the team have to lose?
On Monday, as he has stated throughout the losing streak, Als president Larry Smith said it will take veteran leadership to get the team on track. Smith was a fullback with Montreal in 1977, when the Als won their first seven games, only to lose four of the next five and five of seven. But the team recovered and won the Grey Cup, thanks to the leadership of Peter Dalla Riva, Tony Proudfoot, Mike Widger and Smith.
Defensive-tackle Ed Philion, in his eighth season with Montreal, said leadership isn't an issue.
"We have the same guys ... who got us to four Grey Cups (since 2000). The veteran leadership has always been there," he said. "The problem is some of the leaders aren't getting it done, me included. But the leadership was there when we won seven, and it has been there while losing six.
"I'm not going anywhere," Philion added. "Anthony Calvillo isn't. Uzooma Okeke isn't and Strickland isn't. At least we're not pointing fingers in the room. You guys keep asking the same questions and we keep giving the same answers. We're not executing."
Philion said the Als have simplified their defence this week, putting more emphasis on the down linemen. Quarterback Calvillo, meanwhile, said he can only succeed by throwing from the pocket, not if he's forced to roll out and pass on the run. Calvillo stressed the offensive line is giving him enough time to set up and find receivers.
"We're all frustrated. We feel the same way the fans do," he said. "Each individual has got to make plays - including myself."
Notes - Injuries to cornerback Darrell Crutchfield and defensive-end John Bowman aren't as serious as originally feared. Crutchfield has a pulled rib muscle, while Bowman has a strained ankle. ... Receiver Sylvain Girard (groin) and backup safety Matthieu Proulx (shoulder) remain sidelined.
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