GM Maciocia content, but not satisfied, with Alouettes' record

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As the Alouettes approach the one-third mark of the regular season, and although they’re riding a two-game losing streak, general manager Danny Maciocia has no particular concerns with how things have played out.

“I’m not unhappy,” Maciocia told The Gazette on Monday. “Could we be a little bit better? We could all be a little bit better at this point, but I’m not unhappy with where we’re at. I like the team. I like the guys that are here. You try not to get overly excited at this time of year, especially in the first half of the season. But overall I’m not disappointed.

“Are there areas of improvement? Yes, we all can get better. Do we have what it takes to get it done and to be that team? I think so.”

If nothing else, the last two years have taught Maciocia the real season in the CFL doesn’t begin until after Labour Day in September. The Als were 5-0 at this juncture in 2024 but stumbled down the stretch. While Montreal had the league’s best record (12-5-1) and finished first, it had little momentum entering the East Division final and lost at home to Toronto.

In 2023, conversely, the Als had a 6-7 record following four straight defeats, only to go on an eight-game winning streak, culminating in their Grey Cup victory against Winnipeg.

Montreal started 3-0 this season and appeared in control of the division. But Hamilton is now on a three-game winning streak that began June 27, with a victory against the visiting Als. Although the Tiger-Cats and Montreal have similar (3-2) records, Hamilton sits first by virtue of this win last month.

With the Argonauts at 1-4 and Ottawa in last place (1-5), the division looks like it will become a two-team race unless something drastically changes. And unless one of those two clubs starts to improve, only two teams from the division might make the playoffs. Coming off a bye in the schedule, Montreal entertains Toronto Thursday night at Molson Stadium.

The Ticats and Als have one more game, Sept. 6, in Montreal.

“We don’t know how this one is going to finish,” Maciocia said. “Our daily message is just be the best version of yourself. Nothing has changed as far as the culture is concerned. We’re winning way more than we’ve lost, but we have high expectations here. We’re driven towards those results.”

Had starting quarterback Davis Alexander not suffered a hamstring injury at Edmonton on June 19, the Als might still be undefeated. Montreal’s offence has struggled the last two games under veteran pivot McLeod Bethel-Thompson and has lost its swagger.

While the quarterback arguably is the most important player on the field, the Als’ defence also couldn’t provide a stop late against B.C. on July 5. The visitors began their final drive on their 43 following a late misconduct penalty against guard Pier-Olivier Lestage and moved into position for a 43-yard Sean Whyte field goal on the final play and a 21-20 victory.

Bethel-Thompson was intercepted twice against the Ticats and had a critical late-game fumble that was recovered in the end zone for a Hamilton touchdown. He didn’t turn the ball over against the Lions, and while he passed for two touchdowns, he produced only 192 yards passing.

Alexander has completed 62 of 82 attempts this season for 803 yards and five touchdowns. He has been intercepted twice.

When Cody Fajardo suffered a hamstring injury last season, the Als continued winning with Alexander, who’s expected to return against Toronto. While the team appears to have regressed under Bethel-Thompson, Maciocia refused to blame the 37-year-old.

“I don’t think it’s one person that’s responsible for those two losses,” Maciocia said. “I thought he did enough for us to win the (B.C.) game. Unfortunately we shot ourselves in the foot. That could have been a division final or Grey Cup and you would have had to sit with that in the bottom of your belly for about six months.

“But that had nothing to do with Bethel. As a team we didn’t do what we were supposed to do. There’s something to be said about playing complementary football. We have a couple of times this year. We have to be productive offensively. We need to be productive in the red zone.”

Along with the return of Alexander, it appears receiver Austin Mack has recovered from his hamstring injury. While Tyson Philpot (knee) didn’t practice on Sunday, when Montreal returned from its break, he was at Stade Hébert on Monday. Toronto QB Chad Kelly, who fractured his leg in last season’s division final, has yet to play this year. That’s unlikely to change this week.