Wed Jun 25 12:50:40 2008

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2008 CFL Eastern Preview - Montreal Alouettes

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Montreal, QC (Sports Network) - FACTS & FIGURES: Division - East. 2007 record - 8-10-0. Playoff result: Third in East Division, lost 24-22 to Winnipeg in division semifinal. Stadium - Molson Stadium. Capacity - 20,202. Colors - Blue, red, grey, silver, black and white.

The 2007 season was one to forget for Montreal.

The team posted an 8-10-0 record last year, its first losing mark since returning to the CFL in 1996. Head coach Jim Popp relinquished his sideline duties to concentrate on being the club's GM.

Marc Trestman begins his first season of Canadian football as the club's man in charge on the sideline. A big plus for Trestman is the return of quarterback Anthony Calvillo. He left the team late last season after his wife was diagnosed with a form of cancer. She's doing much better now and Calvillo is back doing what he does best, and that's play football.

Veteran slotback Ben Cahoon anchors Montreal's receiving corps, but he begins the season on the injured list. So to do running back Jarrett Payton, receiver Elijah Thurmon and backup quarterback Marcus Brady. But the man who makes the Alouettes offense go is Calvillo. Last year, the veteran quarterback surpassed the 50,000-yard passing plateau and remains one of the league's best passers.

The unit's biggest problem last year was keeping Calvillo on his feet. Montreal gave up a CFL-high 68 sacks in 2007, and what's more the offensive line is another year older.

There are concerns on defense with the offseason departure of coordinator Chris Jones to Calgary. Under Jones, the Als were solid defensively implementing Jones' team-first style of play. Tim Burke, an assistant last year with Calgary, has the dubious task of replacing Jones this season.

The loss of safety Etienne Boulay is a big one for Montreal. He signed as a free agent this offseason with the New York Jets after finishing tied for the team lead in interceptions with three.

The special teams are in solid hands. Damon Duval led the CFL in punting with a 47-yard average and was fifth in scoring with 146 points. He converted on 32-of-45 field goals for a 71 percent success ratio.

Sports Network Predicted Finish: Third.