SHERBROOKE – Following two exhausting days of practice to open up the 2016 training camp, Alouettes players returned to the field Tuesday morning, this time for a walkthrough.
An internship with the Alouettes
This year, the Alouettes coaching staff welcomes four guest coaches to take part of training camp. Among them is Justin Chapdelaine, the son of Jacques Chapdelaine, the special advisor to the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. Last season, he followed in his father’s footsteps as the assistant offensive coordinator for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. After playing for four years as a quarterback at Queen’s University, Justin became the running backs coach at Simon Fraser University.
Also attending camp this year are CEGEP coaches François Dussault and Ross Cammalleri. The former is currently the head coach for the Trois-Rivières Diablos, while the latter coaches the André-Grasset Phénix. The Alouettes’ linebackers coach Greg Quick can also count on the support of his son Philip to help the team with their preparations during camp.
Giving back to the quarterback community
For the sixth year in a row, the Alouettes have organized a team initiative whereby multiple CIS quarterbacks participate in the rookie minicamp and regular camp, allowing them to soak in the professional experience. All-time pro football passing yards leader Anthony Calvillo, offensive guru Jacques Chapdelaine and Alouettes quarterbacks, including veteran Kevin Glenn, have been mentors during this initiative. This year’s invitees included seven quarterbacks, two of which have signed a pro contract with the team. Jimmy Underdahl, out of the University of Calgary, as well as Drew Burko from the University of Saskatchewan are the attendees currently on the team’s roster. The other members included Trenton Miller from Concordia University, Nate Hobbs from Queens University, Brock Berglund out of Saint Mary’s University, Jaeden Marwick from Bishop’s University, and Dante Djan out of St. Francis Xavier. They also had the opportunity to learn from Canadian quarterback Brandon Bridge, who became the first Canadian pivot to start a game for the team in over 30 years, last November.
Quote of the day
Kevin Glenn’s response when asked how to keep all of his talented receivers happy: “It’s not my job, that’s Anthony Calvillo’s job! A.C.’s job is to make sure that those guys stay happy. He’s the cook and I’m the waiter. He cooks the meal, all I do is bring it out and hand it to them. If they don’t like the way the steak is cooked, they have to talk to the chef, I didn’t cook it!”
Scrimmage on Saturday
The Alouettes will play a simulated game on Saturday, from 8:30 to 11:00 A.M. at Bishop’s University’s Coulter Field. Fans are invited to attend and as always, attendance is free. The national anthem will be performed on the bag pipe.
Tomorrow
The 2016 Alouettes training camp continues tomorrow on Coulter Field, as the team will partake in two consecutive practices starting at 8:30 A.M.
