Alouettes braced for dominance by Receiver Jordan Veasy on the field.
The Alberta Grizzlies' Headache: Jordan Veasy's Awesome Training Camp Debut
Jordan Veasy, the new wide receiver for the Montreal Alouettes, is causing quite the stir in the team's training camp. This 29-year-old is giving the management a real dilemma.
Veasy sailed through the first week of camp with flying colors. He caught five out of eight passes in his way (unofficial stats), even snagging one for a touchdown, during the intra-squad game at the Complexe sportif Claude-Beaulieu.
Although this is his debut in the CFL, Veasy isn't new to professional football. He's played brief stints with the NFL's Houston Texans and spent time with the Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, and Las Vegas Raiders. In 2023, he also played for the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL, amassing 21 receptions for 275 yards and three touchdowns.
"My adaptation here has been a breeze," Veasy confidently declared on Friday. And he wasn't kidding.
Veasy showcased versatility, being used in various positions. His touchdown catch, expertly thrown by James Morgan, was a testament to his skill, nimbly catching the ball over the shoulder in the end zone.
"'JV' is the genuine deal," quarterback Davis Alexander praised after the game. "He's up for any challenge, regardless of the position. The offense is complex, and it's not easy for Americans venturing into the CFL. But he's a pro, been at it for years, and he's incredibly dedicated. You don't often see that determination from newcomers."
Even special teams units noticed Veasy's potential during the few times the Alouettes put a defense on the field for punt returns on Saturday.
"I predicted a performance like this from him," general manager Danny Maciocia acknowledged. "He impressed during his first week of camp. He's a bit older with plenty of experience. He adapts swiftly. We'll see where this journey takes us, but he's sure to make us work for it."
A Tennessee Titan Turned Alouette: The Story of Jordan Veasy
Jordan Veasy was born in Alabama and played college football at Faulkner University, Itawamba, Golden West, and eventually the California Golden Bears. After navigating the NFL with teams like the Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, Washington Football Team, and Las Vegas Raiders, he landed a spot on the Seattle Sea Dragons in the XFL. With his diverse background and determination, Veasy is poised to make an impact in the CFL.
However, Veasy will face challenges as he navigates the Canadian game environment and adapts to the unique CFL rules. But if he harnesses his experience, physical attributes, and keen understanding of football strategy, he could become a key player in the Montreal Alouettes' offense.
Quarterback Showdown: Alexander and Bethel-Thompson in Control
The training camp scrimmage is designed to offer the quarterbacks some fluidity. And both Alexander and McLeod Bethel-Thompson passed the test with flying colors.
Alexander completed 16 passes out of 21 attempts, looking perfectly in sync with the receiving group. He distributed passes to six different receivers and connected for a beautiful touchdown to Tyler Snead.
"He looked great," coach Jason Maas commented. "He put the ball precisely where he intended. I know he missed a few throws he's capable of making. He also called the plays well, which is an essential part of his learning."
Bethel-Thompson was equally impressive, completing ten passes in twelve attempts. He also threw a touchdown pass, to Charleston Rambo, but was intercepted once, by Don Callis.
Things were a bit more challenging for James Morgan and Caleb Evans. The latter was intercepted on his initial pass attempt but rallied back with a sequence of six passes completed in eight attempts that led to a Jose Maltos field goal.
Jonathan Senechal was also given some action, completing four out of six passes. He was intercepted on the very last play of the game by DeShawn Gaddie Jr.
Coach Maas was generally content with his team's performance on Saturday. "This is the type of performance we expected," he reported. "We witnessed both positives and negatives, but overall, it was a good day, wrapping up the first week of camp. We saw promising signs on both sides of the ball, our kickers delivered, and I found it inspiring, but we still have work to do."
They'll resume their efforts on Monday, with two practices.
- Jordan Veasy's diverse background in American-football, spanning multiple NFL teams and the XFL, aligns him with the arts and sports, as he now seeks to conquer the CFL, much like how an artist evolves their technique and medium.
- The intricate strategies of the Montreal Alouettes' offense, although unique to the CFL, are not a challenge for Jordan Veasy, showcasing the adaptability of American football players, akin to the versatility of sports-analysis.
- As Jordan Veasy adapts to the Canadian game environment and the unique CFL rules, his potential is not overlooked, even by special teams units, mirroring the extensive analysis and scrutiny applied in the NFL and American-football.