New quarterback Glenn in crash course to get ready to start for Alouettes

MONTREAL – Receiver Nik Lewis is delighted to be reunited with veteran quarterback Kevin Glenn.

The two were teammates in 2012 and 2013 with the Calgary Stampeders and got back together when the Montreal Alouettes acquired Glenn in a trade this week.

“He was my favourite quarterback that I’ve played with,” Lewis, who joined Montreal this season, said Thursday. “I just love his attitude and the way he approaches the game.

“Being able to take the field with him in Calgary those two years was great. We put up some big numbers together. So I’m just looking forward to everyone working together and see what we can do.”

Glenn, acquired from Saskatchewan for a fifth round draft pick, practised with his new teammates for the first time.

Coach and general manager Jim Popp hopes to have him ready to start a home game Sunday against Hamilton.

“We’ll do everything we can to get him on the field,” said Popp. “He feels comfortable and the meetings have gone great.

“He spent a lot of time (Wednesday) after he arrived, to about eight o’clock at night. Then he was back at 6:30 this morning to get back at it. He feels he can get it accomplished.”

The Alouettes were desperate for a starting quarterback after rookie Rakeem Cato suffered a concussion in a 25-17 loss to Toronto on Monday. They had already lost starter Jonathan Crompton to a second injury this season, and didn’t feel Anthony Boone, Tanner Marsh or Brandon Bridge were ready to step in.

Montreal (5-9) needs to start winning games to challenge for a playoff spot with four games left in the regular season.

“Nothing worries me,” said Glenn, in his 15th CFL season. “It’s just learning, like going to school.

“Today was a good day. We did some good things.”

As for Lewis calling him his favourite quarterback, Glenn laughed and said: “He’s silly. And because he’ll get mad if I don’t say it, yes he is my favourite receiver.”

It should help that he has a veteran receiving corps with Lewis, S.J. Green, Fred Stamps and Samuel Giguere.

“It can only help us,” Green said of Glenn’s arrival. “We’ve been young at that position pretty much all year.

“Not to take anything from the guys who have played quarterback this year, but you can’t replace experience. That’s something Kevin has a lot of.”

The Alouettes, who have beaten Hamilton in both of their meetings this season, may also have cornerback Mitchell White and defensive end Aaron Lavarius back from injuries this week.