Training Camp Report - Day 7
May 26, 2019 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Montreal Alouettes News Release
Montreal - Three years later, the year 2019 could be the one for national receiver Alexander Morrison. The 29th overall pick in the 2017 draft is happy to be back at training camp. After his first camp with the Alouettes in 2017, Morrison returned to play a fifth season in college. Unfortunately, he injured himself prior to the 2018 campaign and was out for 18 months due to a torn ACL. Although he faced many challenges throughout his career, the Sault Ste. Marie, ON native refused to give up. With a good camp, Morrison thinks the UBC Thunderbird player that hoisted the 2015 Vanier Cup could be back. That player amassed 645 yards on 39 catches and six majors.
"I had to adapt at rookie camp last week. Things were happening quickly and I needed to take a step back to process and feel comfortable on the field. Since the camp started on Monday, I am optimistic. Yesterday, I played well during the mini-match."
In 2016, his campaign was cut short by an unfortunate arm injury after the second week. Regardless, he left a positive impression with scouts, allowing him to be drafted by the Alouettes and to get invited to the the N.Y. Giants mini-camp a few months later.
The 26-year-old player expresses himself perfectly in French as he went to French school. He also earned a French major while studying in university. "My mother speaks French, she grew up in Moonbeam, ON, and my grandmother on my father's side was French Canadian. French was an important part of my life, it was normal for me to continue my studies in this language."
Four Super Bowls between two guest coaches
As is the case during all training camps, the Alouettes can count on the support of guest coaches. This year, Mike Sherman's staff is being helped by Clancy Barone and Robert Ford. Barone is lending a hand to the offensive line. The players can take advantage of his 15 years of experience in the NFL, where he was the Denver Broncos offensive line coach when the team won Super Bowl 50. Last season, he was the Minnesota Vikings offensive line coach. Ford on his hand possesses over 40 years of coaching experience and is lending his expertise to the receiving corps. He was a part of the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff when the team won three Super Bowls in the 1990s as he worked closely with tight end Jay Novacek.
Rapid Fire
Music can be heard during certain segments of practice, notably when the offence is measuring itself against the defence. Sidelined by an injury, receiver T.J. Graham mixes up the tunes as he is the unofficial DJ of the 2019 training camp... National quarterback Chris Merchant kicked a few field goals during this dominical practice... Dalton Ponchilla made quite the catch on a 40-yard pass from Vernon Adams Jr... Dante Absher also made a catch in spectacular fashion when he snagged a bullet from Antonio Pipkin... Quarterback Matt Shiltz showed great bursts of speed when he escaped everyone and ran for at least twenty yards before a defender even came close to him.
He said it
"Being here last year helped me a lot, as it allowed me to get to know the guys and I have a better bond with them because of it. I know how the guys think, I have a relationship with the quarterbacks, I know about the waggle and I used FaceTime with the quarterbacks in the off-season to know about the plays we were going to run and I got here a month and a half early to work with our strength coaches. All of that has helped me a lot."
- Zac Parker
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Canadian Football League Stories from May 26, 2019
- RedBlacks Make Roster Moves - Ottawa RedBlacks
- Walker Joins Red and White; Morris Returns - Calgary Stampeders
- Training Camp Report - Day 7 - Montreal Alouettes
- Tiger-Cats Bring Back Offensive Lineman Mathews - Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- Blue Bombers Make Roster Moves - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
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