At the same time, Tim Duncan and Damon Duval were waging a battle to determine who would supplant veteran kicker Matt Kellett, who was traded to Ottawa in the off-season.
Duval, a former star at Auburn University in Alabama, would win the job and quickly make a name for himself in the Canadian Football League with a game-winning, 48-yard field goal against Edmonton on July 8.
A Louisiana native, Duval has adjusted quickly to the Canadian game and leads the CFL with 45 kicking points entering Friday's game against the Blue Bombers at Canad Inns Stadium in Winnipeg.
Damon Duval, right, celebrates with Alouettes teammate Ben Cahoon after kicking a field goal to give Montreal a 29-28 lead over Edmonton on July 8. (CP Photo/Ryan Remiorz)
Duval, like Keith Stokes, Winston October and Thyron Anderson before him, represents another in a long list of finds for Alouettes general manager Jim Popp.
"Popp and [Montreal coach] Don Matthews have a good eye for talent. They always have someone waiting in the wings," said CFL on CBC analyst Sean Millington.
Duval, who played two pre-season games with the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons in 2004, has converted all nine Alouettes touchdowns and connected on 11 of 14 field-goal attempts. His longest is 49 yards, which also puts the 25-year-old atop the CFL.
Duval also doubles as Montreal's punter and sits fourth in the league with a 40.8-yard average.
He will attempt to keep the Blue Bombers deep in their zone and put pressure on a Winnipeg offence that has scored two touchdowns in four games.
Bombers quarterback Kevin Glenn, who has recovered from a high ankle sprain, returns to the lineup after missing three games. He has faced the Alouettes' ferocious pass rush in the past and has the ability to adjust on the fly.
In last Friday's 14-12 loss in Edmonton, backup pivot Tee Martin completed just 11 of 29 passes for 142 yards.
Conversely, Winnipeg's defence was outstanding and hasn't allowed an offensive touchdown in its last two games.
Cornerback William Fields led the way last week with two interceptions and three tackles to win CFL defensive player of the week honours.
The Blue Bombers are searching for their first win in five starts, while a victory would move Montreal (2-1-0) into sole possession of first place in the Eastern Division.
Last September, the Alouettes pasted Winnipeg 47-25 on the strength of six first-half touchdowns at Percival Molson Stadium in Montreal.
Slotback Ben Cahoon has thrived against the Blue Bombers, topping the 100-yard mark in receiving three times to go with eight touchdowns in 19 games.
Former Winnipeg offensive lineman Dave Mudge faces his old team for the first time since he was acquired by Montreal in a July 10 trade for centre-guard Aaron Fiacconi.
Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo is 321 yards shy of passing Sam Etcheverry for the franchise mark in all-time passing yards.
In Week 6, Montreal plays host to the defending Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts on July 28, while Winnipeg visits Toronto three days later.
