Veteran DB Ciante Evans brings versatility in return to Alouettes

An unrepentant Nik Lewis said Alouettes management can hit him in the pocketbook as often as it wants, but it won’t change his personality. He’ll continue to speak his mind, the veteran slotback vowed on Thursday.

“I’ve been here 13 years. You’re not going to muzzle me,” Lewis said after practice at Stade Hébert. “I stand behind it. I stand firm and I believe in what I said.”

Lewis delivered a profanity-laced diatribe following last Friday’s lacklustre 31-7 loss against Hamilton at Molson Stadium. He criticized management and the players — including himself — for an unimpressive offensive performance that was devoid of a touchdown and came following a bye week in the schedule. It was Montreal’s second consecutive defeat at home.

On Wednesday, TSN reported the Als levied a team fine against Lewis, although no announcement came from the organization. After Thursday’s practice, general manager and head coach Jim Popp wouldn’t confirm or deny the potential fine, saying such decisions are internal matters.

Nonetheless, the day after Duron Carter was ejected from a game against Ottawa, on June 30, the organization issued a release, stating Carter had been fined.

The Als are preparing to meet the Argonauts at Toronto this Monday. Lewis said he has spoken with safety Marc-Olivier Brouillette, the team’s player representative. Lewis has the option of appealing any potential fine with the league’s players’ association. Any fine, it seems, would be more the result of Lewis’ language than the content of his address.

“If we go out and we play better this week, it was worth it. If we go out and we make a run, it’s worth it,” said Lewis, quick to state he respects the organization, owner Robert Wetenhall, Popp and his teammates. “You can’t put a dollar amount on what we do.

“I’m an emotional guy. I play with my emotions. I do things. I’m just out here trying to motivate my team to be better. The only thing I can do, as one of the leaders on this team, is motivate you to be better.”

Veteran quarterback Kevin Glenn, who was Lewis’ teammate for two seasons at Calgary, intimated a fine might not be the best message for management to extend — although he said he could understand why the organization would take offence with some of the language Lewis used.

“If he did get fined,” Glenn said, momentarily hesitating, “I don’t know. I’ve been in this league long enough. I’ve known and seen and probably done it myself a lot of times … have spoken (with passion) about something and those kind of words have maybe come out.

“I know he’s not a malicious person. He’s not doing it to try and gain some attention. He’s passionate about what he was talking about. And he cares.”

The Als returned to the practice field for the first time since Monday. Glenn, who missed the Tiger-Cats’ game with inflammation in his left eye, took all the reps with the starting offence and is expected to play at Toronto. While his return could potentially help, it doesn’t diminish the fact the Als have the Canadian Football League’s weakest offence. Montreal is averaging 14 points per game and has produced only three touchdowns in three games.

The team has been ravaged by injuries to key offensive members, including slotback S.J. Green, tailback Tyrell Sutton and receiver Kenny Stafford. And the Als aren’t helping their cause with undisciplined play, Montreal having been penalized 40 times through three games, much of that damage coming on special teams.

The Als have played only three games since June 24, but are about to enter a stretch that will see them play three times in 11 days, including twice next week, with Montreal returning home next Friday to face Saskatchewan. That means the Als’ struggling offence is about to match wits against Rich Stubler and Chris Jones — two of the league’s sharpest defensive minds.

“We win in Week 1 and everybody loves you. You lose two in a row and everybody can’t stand you. That’s just the way it is,” Popp said. “Winning makes a huge difference. We have to find a way to win.”

And with each defeat, the noose seemingly tightens around Popp’s neck. Eyebrows were raised in November, when the GM announced he’d be returning this season as head coach. Dating to 2001, Popp has a 20-28 regular-season record as coach. He also has lost four of five post-season games.

“The diehard fans know what I’ve done. I’m the same person. I’m doing the same thing. People want to see wins. I understand we haven’t had two very good games at home,” Popp said. “That escalates and magnifies things.

“I’m the GM and the head coach. If you want to start with somebody, who else are you going to point the finger at? That’s normal. That’s the way it is. I’m in a big-boy’s job. I’ve always been in it, through thick and thin. Some people can take it. Some can’t. We’re doing what we feel needs to be done to win games.”

Note — Receiver Cody Hoffman, who failed his medical and was released at the start of training camp, was put through a workout by the Als on Thursday. He approached the team recently, saying he had recovered and was ready to resume his career.

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com

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