‘I think the Alouettes struck gold,’ free-agent addition Avery Ellis says

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While there’s no blueprint to building a championship-caliber team, Danny Maciocia emphasized signing defensive players last year. With Tuesday’s start of CFL free agency, the Alouettes’ general manager appears to be taking a similar approach.

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His prized catches on opening day included veteran Ottawa defensive-end Avery Ellis and Winnipeg defensive-back Mike Jones. The Als also added a third import on defense — linebacker Tyrice Beverette from Hamilton — along with Canadian receiver Hergy Mayala from Calgary.

Mayala, a first-round draft choice in 2019 (eighth overall), was born in the Congo, but raised in Montreal and played collegiately at the University of Connecticut.

The team also re-signed defensive-tackle Michael Wakefield and added special teams player Frédéric Chagnon, who was cut from training camp and resurfaced with the Redblacks after spending 2019 with the Lions.

Ellis signed a two-year contract that will pay an estimated base salary of $110,000 next season and $125,000 in 2023, while Jones signed for one season. His base of it is expected to be at least $100,000.

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The day, however, was not without its departures, as Montreal’s defense took a significant hit.

Defensive-end David Ménard, the East Division nominee as outstanding Canadian last season, signed with BC after leading the Als in quarterback sacks with eight. He was expected to be joined on the west coast by defensive-tackle Woody Baron. Linebacker Patrick Levels and safety Ty Cranston both signed with Ottawa.

Baron became redundant when the Als acquired Michael Moore in a trade from Edmonton. Levels, while a significant piece of the defense, will best be remembered for guaranteeing victory before Montreal’s division semifinal at Hamilton — a game Montreal lost. While Cranston was a solid player, the Als have the speedy Marc-Antoine Dequoy waiting in the wings.

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The addition of Ellis is significant following the departures of Ménard along with Jamal Davis, who is signing with the Los Angeles Chargers. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Ellis spent four seasons with Ottawa. In 57 games, he had 129 tackles, 18 quarterback sacks, two forced fumbles and scored one touchdown.

Ellis is considered a physical player with a high motor who will press the pocket but struggled last season to finish plays. In his defense of him, he had a bad shoulder at the end of the season that hindered his production of him. He was held to three sacks in 14 games as the Redblacks finished last in the division. Ellis also spent considerable time on the field, as Ottawa’s offense sputtered.

He’ll be looking to re-establish himself with the Als.

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“It was just the time for a significant change — not only to my game but leading another team to a Gray Cup,” Ellis told the Montreal Gazette from his winter home in Newark, NJ “No one likes to lose. I’m a true competitor in everything I do. How much did losing weigh on me? A ton, of course. My first two years we weren’t terrible, but the last two have definitely been a bit heavy, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

“The Alouettes are getting a ferocious, vicious and hard-working player,” added the 27-year-old. “I think the Alouettes struck gold. I think the best is coming.”

Jones spent two seasons with the Blue Bombers, the two-time defending Gray Cup champions. In 21 games, he had two interceptions while forcing three fumbles.

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Although only 5-foot-10 and 189 pounds, he’s very physical and athletic. He was at his best from him at the end of 2019 and in the Cup victory over the Tiger-Cats. But Jones lost his starting job late last season to Winston Rose. Jones was injured, didn’t start in the final division and didn’t play in the championship game.

Winnipeg didn’t consider his re-signing a priority. And the Blue Bombers appear to have spent to the salary cap and couldn’t afford to bring Jones back.

“I’m excited for my new journey,” Jones told The Gazette from his Baltimore home. “It was just time to explore my options. I felt wanted by the Alouettes; another reason why I chose to leave. Montreal was a place that was chasing me harder than Winnipeg.”

Jones considers himself a versatile player, noting he can play anywhere in the secondary. He believes his championship pedigree of him will be a worthwhile addition to an organization that has gone more than a decade without a title.

“I’m ready to bring everything I was taught, the mentality of being a champion,” the 26-year-old said. “I think I can help and bring something. I’m prepared to play wherever they want me. This is not Winnipeg. I have to come in open-minded.”

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