He has passed for 3,400 yards and 20 touchdowns while being intercepted only twice. Entering this week\u2019s games, Alexander was on pace for 6,280 yards, which would surpass the franchise record (6,041) established by Anthony Calvillo<\/a> in 2004. The CFL mark of 6,619 yards held by Doug Flutie in 1991 appears safe for now, but don\u2019t be surprised if Alexander breaks that record before he retires.<\/p>\n He\u2019s that good.<\/p>\n Forget for a moment that Alexander is 20-1 as a starter. He completes passes on a rope in tight windows and has ice water running through his veins. He is the Als\u2019 undisputable leader. He\u2019s running less frequently, likely by choice, and the hamstring that caused him \u2014 and Montreal \u2014 so many problems in 2025 has held up. The Als aren\u2019t the same team without him and their season would probably fall off the rails without him. If Alexander remains healthy, he\u2019ll be named the CFL\u2019s MOP during Grey Cup week in Calgary.<\/p>\n Outstanding Canadian: Another easy selection. Tyson Philpot<\/a> is the league\u2019s leading receiver \u2014 by a landslide. Held to a modest 75 yards off nine receptions by Ottawa, Philpot still has 1,229 yards off 83 catches. He also has nine touchdowns, including five alone in the last two games.<\/p>\n Philpot has become Alexander\u2019s go-to receiver on a team that also boasts Tyler Snead and Cole Spieker. Philpot is fast, runs great routes and makes incredible catches. He\u2019s also defiant, claiming no defender can cover him. We applaud that attitude.<\/p>\n Were it not for Alexander\u2019s exploits, Philpot could easily be named the league\u2019s outstanding player. And he\u2019ll undoubtedly receive some well-deserved votes. <\/p>\n Outstanding offensive lineman: The Als have allowed a league-low eight sacks. That means every member of the line is pulling their weight.<\/p>\n But our nod goes to Nick Callender. The 6-foot-6, 356-pound skyscraper plays left tackle. That\u2019s the second-most important position on a team, behind the quarterback, because he blocks the QB\u2019s blind side. Callender also has played an important role in tailback Travis Theis gaining 788 yards on 120 carries.<\/p>\n Outstanding defensive player: It\u2019s tough to single out one player on a unit that has performed well.<\/p>\n Field cornerback Kabion Ento<\/a> might have the most natural talent. Defensive-back Wesley Sutton, in his sixth season with Montreal, could be considered the anchor of the secondary. Fellow DB Robert Kennedy III, in his first full season as a starter, continues making plays. And Canadian middle-linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku<\/a>, who made Darnell Sankey expendable, makes tackles and always seems to be around the ball.<\/p>\n But boundary corner Lorenzo Burns plays the most difficult position in the secondary. After knocking down three passes and intercepting Cody Fajardo against Edmonton in the Als\u2019 48-30 win this month<\/a>, the Redblacks appeared reluctant to work against Burns. We suspect more teams will follow suit in the future. And that\u2019s the ultimate display of respect.<\/p>\n Outstanding special-teams player: While Jose Maltos-Diaz has been near-perfect, only missing one of 25 attempts, we\u2019re happy to report the Als are scoring more touchdowns this season and relying on Maltos-Diaz less than in 2025.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t get us wrong. With the game on the line, this is the guy you want attempting a field goal. But receiver and kick returner DeVonte Dedmon has been a pleasant surprise \u2014 and our choice \u2014 since returning from a hamstring injury on July 24 against Hamilton.<\/p>\n Dedmon provides the Als with everything Mario Alford, who was released, could not \u2014 beginning with actually securing the ball. In only four games, Dedmon is averaging 31.8 yards on kickoff returns (including a 50-yarder on Thursday) and 10.9 yards on punt returns. It seems only a matter of time before one is returned to the end zone.<\/p>\n Outstanding rookie: The Als don\u2019t have many \u2014 seven first-year CFL players were on the roster against Ottawa \u2014 and while some receive considerable playing time, including defensive linemen David Perales, Daniel Wise and Kylan Guidry, our choice is Jonathan Sutherland<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Als had to wait for the former first-round (fifth overall) 2023 draft choice while he pursued an NFL career, but he was worth it. Sutherland would be the Als\u2019 starting safety, except for the emergence of Nate Beauchemin. In the meantime, Sutherland has made significant contributions on special teams, with 10 tackles. He will eventually become a defensive starter, either at safety or linebacker.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, back at the ranch: While they have only three regular-season home games remaining, the Als (6-0) are undefeated at Molson Stadium. While many dominos must still fall into place, Montreal could clinch first place in the division as early as Sept. 4, when it hosts B.C.<\/p>\n That would be with six games remaining and might be the worst-case scenario facing head coach Jason Maas and this team.<\/p>\n![\"Alouettes](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/philpot_3fd280.jpg\")
Alouettes receiver Tyson Philpot scores a touchdown over Edmonton Elks defensive-back Kordell Jackson in Montreal on Aug. 8. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n![\"Alouettes'](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/lorenzo.jpg\")
Alouettes\u2019 Lorenzo Burns tackles Toronto Argonauts running-back Samuel Hicks in Montreal on June 12. Evan Buhler \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n