Topic: Cato returns in second half of Als' loss...

[backontrack]

An ineffective Crompton threw two interceptions as Montreal trailed 15-1 at halftime...RC took over on the first drive of the third quarter and immediately tossed a Pick Six...eventually he regrouped and completed a TD pass to Fred Stamps, but it was too late...they're still in position for the playoffs, but the unsettled management, coaching, and QB carousel have made the situation chaotic...final line on Cato: 14/21, 170, 1/2...short turnaround for a Thursday night game with Ottawa...hopefully, LoneHorseman can add his perspective...

[Apollo]

An ineffective Crompton threw two interceptions as Montreal trailed 15-1 at halftime...RC took over on the first drive of the third quarter and immediately tossed a Pick Six...eventually he regrouped and completed a TD pass to Fred Stamps, but it was too late...they're still in position for the playoffs, but the unsettled management, coaching, and QB carousel have made the situation chaotic...final line on Cato: 14/21, 170, 1/2...short turnaround for a Thursday night game with Ottawa...hopefully, LoneHorseman can add his perspective...

From the comments I've read from their fans on FB they're pissed RC didn't come in sooner and hoping he starts the rest of the way.

[luvherd]

Shuler play?

[LoneHorseman]

Where to start.

If you want to read what fans think...

http://forums.cfl.ca/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=98839&start=45

It is really difficult to explain what is going on with this team. The front office is in disarray again this year. Cato fell off the face of the earth for 3 weeks with no explanation and when he returned he was pushed out of his job again with no explanation.

The team is spreading word that Cato is not putting in the time and effort to learn/run a pro offense and had to come back to him yesterday and he moved the ball almost at will with no practice reps.

I have my own perspective on why the wheels have fallen off but for now I will keep them to myselves until further information comes out but I will say this Cato needs to invest himself in more but the team needs to provide the proper environment and support for this 23 year old who is likely overwhelmed by the situation.

[LoneHorseman]

Shuler is on the practice roster. I don't expect him to dress this season unless he team is eliminated. As for next season it will depend if Cato is still around or if he is with another CFL team.

[bbcard1]

It occurred to me that while I am sure the family emergency was legit, Cato may have had his agent making some back channel inquiries to the myriad of NFL teams with hurting QBs…he has proven to an extent that he is a game player and I think his dream remains to play in the NFL…still, I got nothing but love for the guy but think that the CFL is a great place for him right now.

[LoneHorseman]

It occurred to me that while I am sure the family emergency was legit, Cato may have had his agent making some back channel inquiries to the myriad of NFL teams with hurting QBs…he has proven to an extent that he is a game player and I think his dream remains to play in the NFL…still, I got nothing but love for the guy but think that the CFL is a great place for him right now.

There is something going on here and I can assure you the team's GM and HC is fully aware of it but are not saying in public. He did postpone his return to the team on 3 occasion at a very critical time when the new staff was bunkered up to create a new offense.



The did sign Shuler which indicates they were either going to lose him to another CFL team or wanted to help Cato get comfortable in his surroundings.

Another missing piece for us is what kind of student (football) was Cato at Marshall. When I look at the stats, it looks like 60 percent of the offense was him to Shuler.

[s1uggo]

The team is spreading word that Cato is not putting in the time and effort to learn/run a pro offense

where have we heard this before???

[jt]

I hate to hear that about RC. I thought he studied film. etc.. He needs to do this to get better. He has fantastic skills and needs to utilize them to the max. No one can ever rest on their record.

[LoneHorseman]

Keep in mind that there may be nothing to this. It could be the team trying to justify reasons not to play him. Could be like it was mentioned here that his agent tried to pull a fast one. It could be, he refused an extension. Could be they just want the fans to back off. Fans want to see Cato and are an angry bunch right now.

In any event. He forced their hand yesterday, they play again in 3 days and if they start Crompton again it will cost them season ticket holders. So my guess is they start Cato and he will have to find a way to win on his own.

[mu79grad]

This was tweeted out by the Alouettes at 9:57 a.m. this morning:  "Rakeem Cato is practicing with the starters and Jonathan Crompton is not at practice." #Alouettes #CFL

[elginherd]

Thanks for the info again, Lone.

I just read Herb at the Gazette & it does appear the RC will start day after tomorrow. I watched some of the 1st half with Crompton at QB, and to be honest, he looks bad. I really, really hope that the Als' (dis)organization gets its sh&t together. The CFL game suits Cato perfectly, even more than the NCAA game. I'd like to be able to travel to Montreal to see him play next season.

On that note, I'm praying that Cato gets HIS sh&t together, also. He has the opportunity to have football support his family, if not his grandchildren, by playing up there, completing his degree & coaching after his potentially successful CFL career.

[Buffalo Bop]

MONTREAL - The quaterback carousel in Montreal continues to spin as head coach Jim Popp has announced that Rakeem Cato will start for the Alouettes when they play the Ottawa REDBLACKS on Thursday night.

http://www.cfl.ca/article/rakeem-cato-to-start-for-als-when-they-visit-redblacks

[HerdnClt]

Is tonight's  Al's game on Espn3?

[marshallz13]

Is tonight's  Al's game on Espn3?

Yes.

[HerdnClt]

Yes.

Thank you.