Jun 22 Montreal Alouettes End Pre-Season With a Tie And A Loss. Are 2 Games Enough?

The Montreal Alouettes ended their long, arduous 2 game pre-season with a 34-34 tie against the Toronto Argos and a literal last second 19-16 loss to the Winnipeg Bluebombers. 2 days later, they announce the final roster and it's full steam ahead towards potentially participating in the Grey Cup that is being held right here in montreal this year. Is it just me or do we need at least a third pre-season game?

The first game could arguably be considered the " who are we going to cut first" game. I'm assuming that the same could be said for the Argos, and that's fine, you want to see what the players you have invited to camp have in a game-type situation. The game ended tied 34-34 proving both sides had flaws in both defense and offense. Not very convincing, but hey, it's pre-season right? that's what this is for..

Game 2 was a more strategic game with many of the regulars as well as those who needed to be seen a second time saw some action. By some, I mean Anthony Calvillo saw one quarter of play. Is this enough for Anthony after a hasty exit from the team (understandably so) and to just come back and be ready to play in real game conditions?

I used Calvillo as an example but the same can be said about all regular starters who saw limited playing time as well. While I am sure that the great minds that decide these things know a lot more about me in these circumstances, I'm also trying to look at it from a paying customer's point of view. Is it really fair to watch the first 2 or 3 games of the regular season where the team is still trying to gel as units since it is theoretically the first time they are playing as such?

One will argue that pre-season games are another way of teams lining their pockets with a sub-par product on the field. I would argue that potentially, this is what we can get in the 1st few regular season games as well if they do not get a chance to play together.

All I'm saying is that although I feel that in some other sports, we could do without the 6-8 pre-season games when you already know what your team roster is going to look like, I think that adding at least ONE pre-season game, with your full roster in play can only make game 1 of the regular season a better game to watch.

OK, so you have heard or read about the roster confirmations from the Alouettes. If not check them out at http://en.montrealalouettes.com/article/2008-roster-coming-today.

Some points of note :

• Coach Trestman is showing no signs of trying to score any brownie points with President and Chief Executive Officer Larry Smith, having recently cut his son Brad.

• The Montreal Alouettes announced yesterday their 2008 practice roster in preparation for their season opener this Thursday night in Hamilton.

• Among others that might not make the Hamilton game are : Marcus Brady and Ben Cahoon

• The first game of the season featuring a new coach, the return of Calvillo and the drive for the Grey cup starts this Thursday June 26th at 7PM in Hamilton.

Tags: cfl \ loss \ Montreal Alouettes \ win