Alouettes QB Caleb Evans worked hard to improve passing this winter

Fourth-year player showed improved accuracy and velocity on his throws during training camp and appeared more confident in his ability.

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If the Alouettes decide Caleb Evans is best-suited to back up starting quarterback Cody Fajardo this season, one play last weekend might have swayed management’s decision.

Midway through the fourth quarter and with the ball on the Argonauts’ four-yard line, Evans scrambled to his left, eluding two tacklers, then reversed his field, running to the right. Without stopping, he lofted the ball over two defenders, finding Jose Barbon in the back of the end zone for a touchdown.

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It was an impressive, athletic play, straight from the playground, capping a 12-play 108-yard drive.

“We talk about ability in our meetings,” Als head coach Jason Maas said. “Sometimes you have to have that and show that; show what that really means. It’s not normal to do that. On top of that, it was an 108-yard drive. Any time you can punctuate a drive with that kind of ability and make that throw, getting out of trouble by using your legs, that’s rare ability.”

Evans, 25, completed 10 of 15 passes for 94 yards and the touchdown against Toronto. He also, as usual, ran effectively, gaining 32 yards on three carries.

With Fajardo not dressing for Friday night’s final exhibition game at Ottawa (7 p.m., TSN5, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM), Evans was scheduled to start before giving way to rookie James Morgan, a former New York Jets draft choice. Third-year veteran Davis Alexander, nursing a lower-body injury, wasn’t expected to play.

Maas was quick to state on Thursday, before the Als broke training camp, no decision has been made on Fajardo’s backup. And until such time as an injury occurs or Fajardo struggles, the point is moot. Maas said he feels confident the team can win with all three of his veterans. Indeed, Evans went undefeated in two starts last season after Fajardo injured his left shoulder.

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Now in his fourth season, Evans always has been more prone to run from the pocket, relying on his arm as the second option. At times, his awkward throwing motion led to passes that appeared to float. Even this pre-season, there have been times when he delivers the ball sideways, like Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes.

But it’s also evident Evans, 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, worked hard this winter on his passing, improving his accuracy and velocity. He appeared more confident in his ability throughout training camp.

“There were a lot of lonely hours that nobody sees in the off-season,” said Evans, who worked with a quarterback coach. “There was a lot of work that went on, culminating into what it is now.

“I feel like with this team, everybody has the opportunity to play. You just kind of have to be ready … be ready for the moment. When you think about the other things you can’t control, that’s when you start to get into trouble. Be consistent in your game. I just want to put my best foot forward (against Ottawa) and be consistent, not worry about the things I can’t control.”

Maas, himself a former quarterback, waxed poetically over Evans’s body of work displayed throughout camp.

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“He’s had such a tremendous camp throwing the ball,” Maas said. “He continues to progress with the offence, making good decisions, progressing through our plays. I know he worked hard on his passing this off-season and changed some things from the previous year, which was very impressive (considering) the games he played. He wasn’t feeling super comfortable with his throwing motion. This year you can tell the work has paid off. He looks absolutely comfortable back there. Every throw he makes is with precision, with something on it, and is accurate.

“Generally speaking, he makes really good decisions all the time. Combine that with confidence in your throwing and being able to put the ball where you want, location wise. Add the athleticism that Caleb possesses. It’s a very good combination.”

Alexander, now in his third season with Montreal, performed well against Toronto, completing 10 of 12 passes for 89 yards. He also scored on a one-yard run.

Alexander feels confident with his camp performance, but understands he has little control over the final decision.

“I’m very proud of what I put on tape,” he said. “If I won the backup role I’d be ecstatic. It’s definitely a goal of mine. Last year they kind of told us we were 2A and 2B after camp. Honestly I thought they were leaning towards me. I think experience was something that decided it.”

Both Evans and Alexander are entering the final year of their contracts.

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