Alouettes Football

About the show

Join Rick Moffat, former CFL Allstar and Grey Cup-winning Alouette Tony "The StapleGun" Proudfoot, and CJAD's Rob Martier for all the Alouettes action. Every catch, every touchdown, every tackle...only on Montreal's News Talk Leader CJAD 800, your home for Alouette football since the team's rebirth in 1996.

CJAD 800: THE HOME OF THE ALOUETTES FOR ANOTHER 5 YEARS!

DATE: GAME 1 KICKOFF TORONTO 2PM. TORONTO JUNE 9.

PHILION SAYS 'MERCI BEAUCOUP' , ALS HOPE NFL VET WILL SAY 'BIENVENUE'----FANS SEND YOUR WISHES TO ED VIA als@cjad.com

On the day the Alouettes stopped their voluntary pre-camp workouts to pay tribute to Ed Philion, the Als confirm to CJAD 800 that they're looking at bringing another veteran player from the NFL. Just as Philion logged several years south of the border before coming home to Canada, the Als are offering a comeback attempt to veteran NFL receiver Jerome Pathon. Pathon logged 260 catches in 8 years with the Colts, Saints and Falcons. But he has not played a game since 2005, after getting a look from the Seattle Seahawks.

Alouettes allstar lineman Scott Flory says Philion made the Als o-line tougher, and he was warrior who led the club in the locker-room and on the field in the most meaningful games.   In fact, a CJAD informal survey of his teammates reveals Philion is considered the unsung hero of the Als' 2002 Grey Cup win.

Opposing quarterbacks and even one kicker called him dirty.   His former Alouette coaches call him tenacious, nasty and a warrior.   Veteran defensive tackle Ed Philion will confirm his retirement tomorrow, after 8 seasons with the Alouettes and 13 years in pro football.   Philion is a 3-time CFL East Allstar, and began his career in the NFL, with former Alouette's legend and NFL Hall of Famer Marv Levy in Buffalo.

Philion was a defensive leader of the 2002 Grey Cup Champion team that ripped the Grey Cup out of Edmonton from the Eskimos, highlighting the 25th anniversary of the Als' last previous Grey Cup win, also against the Eskimos.

In his first seasons with Montreal, Philion was a key instigator in wild battles against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and fans who were there can still picture his wicket hits on Khari Jones.   Bombers kicker Troy Westwood once accused him of uttering a racial slur, and Philion, always one to shoot from lip, fired back that he didn't think much of any player who "looks like Crystal Gayle"!

IN CJAD 800 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS: Former Winnipeg QB Khari Jones still insists Philion's punishing hits in the 2000 postseason were late and dirty, but Jones gives his begrudging respect and best wishes.   They've met off-the-field, and Jones calls Philion a "great guy" and "every team needs a Philion".   But Jones says the debate is NOT "whether" Philion was a dirty player, but if he was "Capital-D" or "small-d" dirty.

Former Alouettes Head Coach Charlie Taafe says "offensive linemen and quarterbacks around the league aren't too disappointed" to hear this news. Philion's former opponent turned good friend and teammate Paul Lambert when I asked him if he ever gave Ed a cheapshot: "I tried," says Paul, "but Ed played the game like the gritty Ti-Cats we were at the start of my career. We had a lot of respect for him."

Congrats Ed, and welcome to CJAD 800 as our first Sports Intern to wear #75!

Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo has renewed his challenge to Montrealers: join the AC/CJAD Touchdown Club:

For every touchdown pass AC throws this season, he's donating $100 to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Montreal. CJAD 800 will match that donation touchdown for touchdown and dollar for dollar. Now the AC/CJAD needs you! Contact Rick Moffat, the Voice of the Alouettes on CJAD to find out how your company will benefit from teaming up with the Als' number 13.

THANK YOU, WESTMOUNT MOVING&WAREHOUSING. Joe Gagnon's team is donating a pair of tickets to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Montreal for every touchdown pass AC throws this season! And keep it locked on CJAD 800 to find out how YOU can win a Family Fourpack to Alouettes home games.

Email Abe Hefter at: abe.hefter@cjad.com

Email Rob Martier at: rob.martier@cjad.com

Email Rick Moffat at: rick.moffat@cjad.com