It wouldn’t be Montreal if there wasn’t a contro

MONTREAL – It wouldn’t be Montreal if there wasn’t a controversy in the world of sports. And with the Canadiens having long since been eliminated from the playoffs, some attention will now finally come the Alouettes’ way.The Canadian Football League held its annual draft on Sunday and, as usual, Montreal general manager Jim Popp’s wheelings and dealings were strange and somewhat bizarre. Arizona Cardinals Jerseys So what else is new? Popp always has done things differently. The Als are the two-time defending Grey Cup champions. Who are we to second-guess? His track record speaks for itself. And, with a veteran team returning, Popp was in position to think outside the box and take some calculated risks.On the other hand, the Als selected a kicker in the first round – Montana’s Brody McKnight, eighth overall – knowing they had already acquired one with CFL experience before the draft. Say what?Sean Whyte announced on his Twitter account, while the draft was in process, he had been acquired by the Als from British Columbia. In return, the Lions will receive Montreal’s first-round pick in 2012, a year believed to have a deeper talent pool.
Instead, it was the Lions who took O’Neill in the second round (11th overall). Wally Buono, B.C.’s GM and head coach, said he wouldn’t have traded Whyte without the confidence O’Neill would still be available. NFL Jerseys That the Als picked McKnight over O’Neill has surprised some of the suits across the CFL.“I don’t want to criticize Jim,” Buono said. “I don’t know his logic or thinking. But Brody, maybe in a year, will be a valuable asset to them. Jim’s sharp. I imagine he’s got a plan.“I’m always ecstatic when I help myself and put a young guy in a good position to play,” Buono added. “Sean’s a good kicker. But Paul had a great year and is well-liked. To cut him for nothing … Who’s going to give you a lot for a 41-year-old kicker? Sean would have had to be better than Paul at training camp. That wasn’t going to happen.”
Whyte, from Surrey, B.C., was signed by the Lions as a territorial exemption in 2007. The 5-foot-9, 175-pounder was on the practice roster in 2008 and dressed for 12 games the following season. But McCallum, now 41,Dolce Gabbana Men Jeans, excelled last season, leaving Whyte on the outside looking in, playing sparingly.He’ll get that opportunity in Montreal.Christian Louboutin Sample Sale The Als failed to re-sign free-agent Damon Duval and still have Colt David, both American, under contract, but would dearly love to have a non-import kicker. But you should also know Whyte’s heading into the option year of his contract, potentially making him eligible to become a free agent next February.As for McKnight, he still has a year of eligibility remaining at Montana, so don’t expect to see him at training camp – if at all. McKnight, we’re told, has a chance at an NFL career as a kickoff specialist a year from now. With the Grizzlies last season, the 21-year-old made 14 of 18 field goals, including a 53-yarder and one from 49. He also punted 53 times for a 38.5-yard average.It’s no secret the Als were attempting to improve their draft position, as The Gazette was told all weekend by numerous sources; Montreal offering offensive-lineman Dylan Steenbergen along with its own first-round pick.