The Alouettes were on the field for their second day of training camp on Friday. After a lighter day of practice yesterday, the team was on the field for back-to-back morning practices.
There were plenty of opportunities for guys to prove themselves one on one against their opponent. Receivers and defensive backs went head-to-head, offensive and defensive linemen got after each other, and the offences and defences faced each other, too.
Receiver/kick returner Warren Newman’s speed was obvious today. He made a couple of impressive grabs during the on-field sessions today. He showed off his shiftiness over and over again. It’ll be interesting to see if he can continue to make a difference on offence during the preseason games or if he focuses on returning kicks.
As small as he is, he’s easy to spot on the field. He’s 5-foot-5 and he wears number ‘00’.
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Another receiver that performed well on Day 2 of camp was Hergy Mayala. The 26-year-old was signed as a free agent from Calgary this past winter, and he’s already found a way to fit in with the starting offence.
Mayala made a great over-the-shoulder catch in the corner of the end zone on a pass from Vernon Adams Jr. during the offence vs. defence drills in the first practice. The former Stampeder accumulated 846 yards in his first two seasons in the CFL.
The Als are planning to start two Canadian receivers this year, so there will be plenty of opportunity for him to make a difference. Mayala has a real opportunity to surpass his career-high of 562 yards receiving he set during the 2019 campaign.
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I feel like I’ve written about Tyrell Richards so much since the Als drafted him first overall a few weeks ago, but he’s living up to the hype right now. In his second day as a pro, the former Syracuse product made an interception, and he knocked down another ball earlier on.
Richards is a big body that can move extremely well. He’s versatile enough that he could play defensive end and linebacker. According to general manager Danny Maciocia, the 23-year-old will begin as a linebacker, but it’s going to be difficult for opposing offences to identify him on the field.
It’s easy to get excited when you see Richards size, skill, and passport, but it’s important to remember that he’s still so young.
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It’s time to give at least one veteran some love.
Defensive back Greg Reid made some big plays in the secondary on Day 2 of training camp. He made a great play on the ball in front of receiver Reggie White Jr., which resulted in a lovely interception on the sideline.
The 31-year-old was an East Division All-Star and a CFL All-Star in 2019. He may be the leader of a young group of defensive backs in 2022.
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The Als will be back on the field on Saturday morning at Stade Diablos in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec. The first practice will begin at 8:30 am, while the second one will start at 1045 am and finish at around 1205pm.
