In most professional sports leagues, the draft is a key element to success and in football, it is nothing less than essential.
Unlike hockey or baseball, it is not uncommon for players drafted into the Canadian Football League (CFL) or the NFL to have a direct impact on their team’s performance the following season. This is especially true for athletes selected in the first two rounds.
The general manager of the Montreal Alouettes, Danny Maciocia, is well aware of this reality, he who notably has two first-round picks (5th and 7th) and a second-round pick (13th) in view of the amateur auction of the 2 may.
“These choices will have an impact on our organization and will allow us to obtain flexibility in terms of our payroll over the next few years,” he said on Tuesday during a meeting. press organized on the sidelines of the CFL evaluation camp held in Edmonton.
“It’s so important not to miss the draft, because you want to get your hands on impact players.”
The happy hand
So far, it’s safe to say Maciocia hasn’t been on the wrong track often with his first- and second-round picks. Among the athletes selected in these rounds since he is the GM of the “Als”, only the offensive lineman Rodeem Brown (18th in 2022) has not played at least one game with the club. The latter played on the Canadian university circuit last year.
Marc-Antoine Dequoy (14th in 2020), Pier-Olivier Lestage (10th in 2021) and Tyson Philpot (9th in 2022) have become important cogs in the Sparrows. Tyrell Richards (1st in 2022) was plagued by injuries last year, while Cameron Lawson (16th in 2020) now plays for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after playing four games with the Alouettes in 2021.
A particular profile
The footballers mentioned above have characteristics in common and Maciocia wants to find them among those he will select in 2023: character and competitiveness.
“We are looking for young people who will compete every day, every time they are on the pitch, whether in training or in a match,” said the DG.
“Also, we are looking for character. Players we can build on and who will be future leaders on and off the pitch.”
Of course, Maciocia and the Alouettes’ football operations staff did not begin their search at the evaluation camp. They’ve watched hundreds of hours of video from the prospects over the past few months.
“The videos say a lot, but the assessment camp gives us the opportunity to see them perform in real life and see how they interact with others.”
Maciocia went on to explain that he analyzes a player’s reactions when he wins or loses a drill.
“We look at their non-verbal language and all of their behaviors,” he revealed.
In addition to his three picks in the first two rounds, Maciocia holds the 32nd, 39th, 41st, 59th and 68th rounds to speak.
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News from Tyrell Richards
While discussing the upcoming draft, Danny Maciocia was asked about the health condition of Tyrell Richards, the player he selected with the first pick in the 2022 draft.
The general manager of the Alouettes had also concluded a transaction with the Edmonton Elks to ensure that he got his hands on the linebacker from Syracuse University.
Richards, however, was limited to seven games in his first CFL season, as he struggled with several injuries. Maciocia, however, was reassuring for the next season.
“From the indications we have, he is 100% and he will be able to compete from the first day of our training camp,” he said.
“I’m a big Richards fan. We saw great things last year, but unfortunately he suffered from a few injuries.
The DG is convinced that his footballer will be able to do well next season.
“We have high expectations in his case. I think he can be dominant on special teams and he can have an impact on defense,” indicated Maciocia, adding that Richards’ versatility is a major advantage for the Alouettes.
