By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com

Montreal – The bizarre season continues.

Just over a quarter into the 2008 CFL campaign and fans across the country are still finding themselves scratching their heads come game time, wondering which version of their team will show up to play.

After starting the season with two convincing victories – one on the road against Hamilton and one at home against the Blue Bombers – the Alouettes (3-3-0) spiralled into a three-game losing streak, before rebounding last week for their second win against the Ticats, their third of the season.

While the majority of the teams in the East Division continue to search for their cause of problems, the Alouettes should look no further than every game this season to find theirs. The Als seem to fade later on in games after showing signs of dominance early on.

In all three Alouette losses, quarterback Anthony Calvillo led his team into the half with a lead, only to see it erased late in the second half.

Consistency is now Priority Number 1.

“In this league, every week is a new story line,” said Alouettes’ coach Marc Trestman. “Last week we closed the game off with our offence; this week we hope our defence does as well.”

For the Bombers (1-5-0), in a season as complicated as theirs, it’s almost good news that they can’t go anywhere but up.

The team was slow out of the gates, going 0-4 before becakup quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie found himself in the starting role after Kevin Glenn was unable to produce any offence.

Dinwiddie promptly led the Bombers to a win over the Calgary Stampeders, claiming the CFL’s top offensive honours of the week along the way.

Bombers coach Doug Berry was applauded after Dinwiddie lead Winnipeg to the win over the Stamps, but then found himself looking for answers once again after his offence sputtered in a loss to Toronto last week.

While Winnipeg is reeling, Montreal has gotten some good news this week in the form of free safety Étienne Boulay’s return from New York where he was at training camp with the Jets.

Trestman is uncertain whether Boulay will see any action come this Friday, but the 2006 East Division rookie of the year should eventually have a place on the roster.

“Ultimately it’s up to (defensive coordinator Tim Burke) to decide if he’s is going to play,” said Trestman. “He’s a good player and the next few days will help us with our decision.”

The Montreal Alouettes take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Friday night at Canada Inns Stadium 7:30 p.m. (TSN, RDS, CKAC SPORTS, CJAD).