Walter Fletcher departs Alouettes with head held high

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Walter Fletcher won’t cast stones on his way out of the Alouettes’ organization. But at the same time, the veteran tailback believes he did what was required to make the team.

“I understand the business of things,” Fletcher told The Gazette by telephone after his release on Saturday. “Part of you is a bit surprised. But on the other side, you understand the business. Things like this happen. You have to be professional about it, move on and pick things up.”

Fletcher, 28, wasn’t the only veteran released on Saturday, but he clearly was the biggest name on the Als.

Also handed their walking papers were defensive-back Bryce Cosby and offensive-tackle Josh Donovan. Both players were heading into their second season with Montreal.

Cosby played all 18 regular-season games, registering 55 tackles and 12 on special teams. He had one sack and two interceptions. He also dressed for the East Division final. Donovan, 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, played 17 games for Montreal. Both players are American.

Fletcher was heading into his fourth season with the Als after launching his CFL career with Edmonton. The 5-foot-9, 206-pounder was the Als’ leading rusher last season, gaining 764 yards on 141 carries (5.4-yard average) while scoring four touchdowns in 17 games. His season high came on Sept. 14 at Calgary, when he gained 90 yards on only seven carries.

Fletcher never had more than 12 carries in a game. It could be argued he was underused, but he also caught 71 passes for 682 yards, scoring three touchdowns.

“They wanted to give the young guys an opportunity,” Fletcher said. “That’s the game that we play. It’s a young man’s game. I’m 28. I’m not up there in age, but at the same time you understand the nature of the game, the business and the league that we’re in. We’re professional athletes. We can’t take any day for granted — or any year.

“This is the bad part of the business. No one wants to go through this.”

Heading into Friday’s regular-season opener against Toronto at Molson Stadium, head coach Jason Maas still has an assortment of tailbacks at his disposal, including imports Stevie Scott III and Travis Theis, along with Canadian Sean Thomas-Erlington.

Scott, 25, is 6-foot-1 and 218 pounds. He spent most of last season on the practice roster, but dressed for an Oct. 19 game at B.C., gaining 33 yards on seven carries and adding three receptions for 20 yards.

Theis, 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, is a CFL rookie at age 24. He completed his college career at South Dakota by gaining 1,172 yards on 187 carries while scoring 19 touchdowns and departed as the school’s all-time leading rusher, with 3,666 yards. He came to the Als after attending the Denver Broncos’ rookie mini-camp.

Thomas-Erlington gained 125 yards on 23 carries last season. He also caught five passes for 42 yards. He has always been effective when receiving rare opportunities on offence.

“We like the physicality of Theis and Scott,” general manager Danny Maciocia said. “Their ability to block played a huge factor in our decision. And their ability to be punishing runners is definitely an attraction.”

Fletcher said last week he knew he was in a fight to retain his job. During the division final loss to the Argonauts, he committed one of the team’s four fumbles and had a pass deflect off his hands for an interception that was returned for a touchdown. But he also scored in the fourth quarter on a 22-yard pass from Cody Fajardo.

Fletcher gained 69 yards on eight carries that afternoon, adding two receptions for 31 yards. In the Als’ opening exhibition game against Ottawa on May 24, he had only two carries for four yards.

“I don’t think I had a bad camp,” Fletcher said. “I wish I’d have made more plays, but I don’t think I showed any sign of decline. Obviously, the coaches prefer a bigger, more physical guy. But … I’ve been this size my entire career. I’ve had a productive career wherever I’ve been. I’m not the biggest guy … but know I’m a playmaker. Everywhere I’ve been, I’ve made plays.

“This is my fifth year in the CFL as an American running back. That’s extremely hard to do. I think the production’s there. I can’t control what management thinks and how they feel about things. They made a decision and I respect it.”

Note: The Als released import receiver Jordan Veasy on Monday.