Alouettes' popular receiver Eugene Lewis is aiming for the CFL's highest award

Remaining early in the season, but Alouettes { It's not surprising to find the leading CFL receiver for 27} Eugene Lewis.

It is somewhat unavoidable that Lewis is at or near the top, like taxes and death. And that's the focus of his fifth season in Montreal, the 29-year-old.

"I want to separate myself from the group," Lewis said following Thursday's practice. "That's what we're trying to do here. It's about unlocking all my potential. I can be the top receiver in this league — and the best receiver. I believe in myself and believe in myself as the best.

"I want to do it for my team," added a 6-foot-1, 208-pound player. "Do it for me and my family. I just want to win. I know that having a good game helps my team win. That is my main focus and goal. As long as I'm doing what I need to do, everything else will work. "

Saturday night in a rematch with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders at Mosaic Stadium. Towards that, Lewis made 15 catches at 307 yards in three games. Coincidentally, he hasn't recorded a touchdown yet, but it's an astonishing 20.5 yard average.

Lewis is 65 yards ahead of Edmonton's Kenny Roller, who has 20 receptions at 242 yards. Malik Henry in Calgary is third. He caught 12 passes at 238 yards.

The League's Outstanding Player Award will most likely be a quarterback, but Lewis will be the third receiver since 2010, following Chad Owens (2012) and Brandon Banks (2019). It is going on. Even if that doesn't happen, Lewis simply wants to evolve and improve every year.

"The bank did it, and when I saw it, I knew it was possible," Lewis said. "Just get out there, keep exceeding your expectations, do the same thing over and over again, keep getting better, and the sky is the limit."

Last Thursday, Molson With a37-13 victory over the ridersat the stadium, Lewis scored four passes at 68 yards. It was the first start of theseasonfor veteran quarterback Trevor Harris, who succeeded Vernon Adams Jr. Ars has already entered his second quarterback this season, but Lewis continues to produce.

He also does so despite the lack of an injured tailback William Stanbach. William Stanback was aOutstanding Player Candidatefor the East Division in 2021. He suffered from a hamstring injury and was undressed last week. This means that there is more emphasis on Lewis.

"Some receivers have a hard time adapting to a particular quarterback, but I've played a lot throughout my career," says Lewis. I did. "We've been in this situation since I came here. I want a challenge and accept it. I want to show people that it doesn't really matter. I'm back there. Everyone will do their best for their quarterback, do their best for the team and play. ”

As expected, to Ars as an offensive coordinator in 2018 This is not surprising before Khari Jones head coach (Lewis's first full season) joined to replace Mike Sherman the following year.

"Whenever the ball floats in the air, I always think he will come up with the ball one-on-one for some reason," Jones said. "And he often does. He has great body control and can do things after catching. Even some of the little moves he made in the previous game to escape the tackle. It was pretty impressive.

"He became a leader. On and off the field, we needed for that corps to accept. He still grew up as a player. I try to challenge him. Make sure he is good in every aspect of the game. You can see him participating in the discussion of great players. I've played with a couple of those guys who can really take over the game. "

Lewis didn't arrive with Ars until the second half of the 2017 training camp. He spent most of the season on the practice roster — what he thinks often — while dressing for only two games, he remained patient. He became a regular the following year and didn't look back. He spent a season of 1,000 yards in 2019 and could have produced a second in 21 years if he didn't miss a match.

Meanwhile, defensive tackle Almondo Sewell, who had two quarterback sack last week, has returned home for the birth of a child and is skeptical of the match. That could lead to an increased role for Michael Wakefield, who created two sack for the rider. Also, Canada's defensive lineman Vincent De Jardin will make his Ars debut on behalf of the injured Brock Govan Rock.

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hzurkowsky@postmedia.com

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