Veteran quarterbacks Anthony Calvillo and Danny McManus will be at their posts when the CFL season begins Wednesday, but some key receivers will be missing on both sides.
Calvillo's Montreal Alouettes play host to 40-year-old McManus's Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the opening game of the season 7:30 p.m. EDT at Percival Molson Stadium.
The Als, who lost star slotback Jeremaine Copeland in the off-season, have his replacement Kwame Cavil (knee) and former Edmonton Eskimo Terry Vaughn (toe injury) sidelined for the opener.
The Ticats are without nine-year veteran slotback Archie Amerson, whose season has been compromised by a nerve injury in his left leg.
"It's a tough loss," McManus said Tuesday. "Archie's a quality receiver and on the field, he's the guy who gets guys in the right spot.
"That's where (slotbacks) Mike Morreale and Chris Brazzell are going to have to step up."
St. Mary's University alumnus Dave Stala, who had a strong training camp, will play slotback as one of three Canadians in the Alouettes starting receiving corps along with Ben Cahoon and Sylvain Girard. The lone American is receiver Kerry Watkins.
"The guys we have were here last year, although they didn't play a lot," said Calvillo. "This year we had more opportunity to work with them in camp.
"I'm confident they can get the job done."
In other games this week, Ottawa faces Edmonton on Friday while B.C. is at Toronto and Winnipeg is in Saskatchewan on Saturday.
The Alouettes had a team record 14-4 season in 2004 only to lose to the eventual Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts in the East Division final after Calvillo was injured early in the second half.
The Ticats were a much-improved team last season, going 9-9 after starting with a big win in Vancouver. McManus hopes to repeat that feat in Montreal.
"Montreal in the last few years has been the class of the East Division," the 14-year veteran said. "They're a measuring stick for us.
"We want to come in here and play good, solid football and if we can do that, we have a chance to get the victory. But if we don't, this team can bury you."
Although McManus will start, head coach Greg Marshall said that "quite possibly" backup Marcus Brady will also see playing time.
"We won nine games last year on the strength of our quarterbacks," said Marshall. "Danny did a lot of good things.
"His training camp was as good as ever. Obviously, he's 40, and that's why we have too look at our quarterbacks. That's why we let Ben Sankey go and kept Marcus Brady. We know Marcus can play."
A player to watch is new kick returner and backup slotback Steve Suter, an eye-catcher in the pre-season.
At safety, former Alouette Wayne Shaw starts in place of the injured Sandy Beveridge.
The Ticats had only five days to prepare for the opener since their final pre-season game on Friday against Toronto, a 34-31 loss.
Montreal starts the campaign without having picked a winner for the No. 1 job from a group of running backs in camp. Last year's usual starter Autry Denson did not return.
Jonas Lewis, the No. 3 running back last year, will start the game and split duties with Eric Lapointe, while former Argonauts star Michael Jenkins will not dress with what is listed as an ear injury. Unless Lewis has a huge game, Jenkins is likely to start next week
"The running back competition is not over," said head coach Don Matthews, adding that they even hope to bring back a ball-carrier they cut, Robert Edwards, for a better look. "I just don't have enough information.
"I just want someone to show himself as the No. 1."
The Alouettes have their entire offensive line and their defensive front seven back from last year and feel they can dominate again. In each of three seasons under Matthews, they have posted at least 13 wins.
After losing veterans like Copeland, safety Barron Miles, cornerback Davis Sanchez and fullback Bruno Heppell, some see the Als slipping backwards this year.
Centre Bryan Chiu disagrees.
"People said the same thing in 2002 when coach Matthews cut a lot of veterans and everyone was worried about how we'd be, and look what happened - we won the Grey Cup," said Chiu.
"I can't speculate about what will happen, but I know we have a bitter taste from (losing in the playoffs) last year and we want to get on the field and erase those memories."
Before the game, the Alouettes are to honour former running back Mike Pringle, who was signed as a free agent from Edmonton this week and immediately filed his retirement papers with the league. The Als are expected to retire his No. 27.
Calvillo's Montreal Alouettes play host to 40-year-old McManus's Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the opening game of the season 7:30 p.m. EDT at Percival Molson Stadium.
The Als, who lost star slotback Jeremaine Copeland in the off-season, have his replacement Kwame Cavil (knee) and former Edmonton Eskimo Terry Vaughn (toe injury) sidelined for the opener.
The Ticats are without nine-year veteran slotback Archie Amerson, whose season has been compromised by a nerve injury in his left leg.
"It's a tough loss," McManus said Tuesday. "Archie's a quality receiver and on the field, he's the guy who gets guys in the right spot.
"That's where (slotbacks) Mike Morreale and Chris Brazzell are going to have to step up."
St. Mary's University alumnus Dave Stala, who had a strong training camp, will play slotback as one of three Canadians in the Alouettes starting receiving corps along with Ben Cahoon and Sylvain Girard. The lone American is receiver Kerry Watkins.
"The guys we have were here last year, although they didn't play a lot," said Calvillo. "This year we had more opportunity to work with them in camp.
"I'm confident they can get the job done."
In other games this week, Ottawa faces Edmonton on Friday while B.C. is at Toronto and Winnipeg is in Saskatchewan on Saturday.
The Alouettes had a team record 14-4 season in 2004 only to lose to the eventual Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts in the East Division final after Calvillo was injured early in the second half.
The Ticats were a much-improved team last season, going 9-9 after starting with a big win in Vancouver. McManus hopes to repeat that feat in Montreal.
"Montreal in the last few years has been the class of the East Division," the 14-year veteran said. "They're a measuring stick for us.
"We want to come in here and play good, solid football and if we can do that, we have a chance to get the victory. But if we don't, this team can bury you."
Although McManus will start, head coach Greg Marshall said that "quite possibly" backup Marcus Brady will also see playing time.
"We won nine games last year on the strength of our quarterbacks," said Marshall. "Danny did a lot of good things.
"His training camp was as good as ever. Obviously, he's 40, and that's why we have too look at our quarterbacks. That's why we let Ben Sankey go and kept Marcus Brady. We know Marcus can play."
A player to watch is new kick returner and backup slotback Steve Suter, an eye-catcher in the pre-season.
At safety, former Alouette Wayne Shaw starts in place of the injured Sandy Beveridge.
The Ticats had only five days to prepare for the opener since their final pre-season game on Friday against Toronto, a 34-31 loss.
Montreal starts the campaign without having picked a winner for the No. 1 job from a group of running backs in camp. Last year's usual starter Autry Denson did not return.
Jonas Lewis, the No. 3 running back last year, will start the game and split duties with Eric Lapointe, while former Argonauts star Michael Jenkins will not dress with what is listed as an ear injury. Unless Lewis has a huge game, Jenkins is likely to start next week
"The running back competition is not over," said head coach Don Matthews, adding that they even hope to bring back a ball-carrier they cut, Robert Edwards, for a better look. "I just don't have enough information.
"I just want someone to show himself as the No. 1."
The Alouettes have their entire offensive line and their defensive front seven back from last year and feel they can dominate again. In each of three seasons under Matthews, they have posted at least 13 wins.
After losing veterans like Copeland, safety Barron Miles, cornerback Davis Sanchez and fullback Bruno Heppell, some see the Als slipping backwards this year.
Centre Bryan Chiu disagrees.
"People said the same thing in 2002 when coach Matthews cut a lot of veterans and everyone was worried about how we'd be, and look what happened - we won the Grey Cup," said Chiu.
"I can't speculate about what will happen, but I know we have a bitter taste from (losing in the playoffs) last year and we want to get on the field and erase those memories."
Before the game, the Alouettes are to honour former running back Mike Pringle, who was signed as a free agent from Edmonton this week and immediately filed his retirement papers with the league. The Als are expected to retire his No. 27.
