ALS RECRUIT GETS SECOND CHANCE

Adrian Davis Seemed To Have A Bright Football Future -
Until He Was Arrested

Perhaps nothing would have changed, in the grand scheme of things, had
Adrian Davis completed his senior season at Marshall University.
Perhaps he'd still be here, at training camp, competing for a job on
the Alouettes' defensive line. Or, perhaps, a team in the National
Football League would have taken notice.

We'll never know. But one thing's certain: If not for a fateful night
in April 2006, Davis wouldn't have had his name splashed in
newspapers, his face repeatedly displayed on television. He wouldn't
have been forced to return home, to Greenfield Park, with some
trepidation when he faced his family.

"It was a depressing situation," the 25-year-old defensive tackle said
yesterday. "You leave one day and you're on top. I've learned in this
business, one day you can be on top of the world. The next, on the
bottom." Davis seemingly had it all 14 months ago. Spring practices
were going well at Marshall. There were NFL aspirations for the
6-foot-3, 280-pounder as he prepared for his final season of college
play. The Als, the team he grew up following, had selected him in the
fourth round (33rd overall) of the 2006 Canadian draft.

But everything changed for Davis on April 26, when his green 1994
Cadillac was pulled over by police and he was arrested in Huntington,
W. Va., on a charge of marijuana possession. Six ounces of marijuana,
scales and $400 cash were confiscated, along with his automobile.
Davis was charged with felony drug possession with intent to
distribute. He was released on a $25,000 bond after a night in jail.
The case is still pending and if found guilty, Davis faces a 10-year
prison term.

Davis said all of the details haven't been made public, and maintains
his innocence.

"I've not been proven guilty of anything. There's a lot of grey area,"
he said. "The stuff was in the trunk, regardless of how it got there
or whom it was put in by.

"But that night changed my life. It was an extremely horrible
experience, one I never want to go through again. It was tough coming
home." Davis was suspended immediately by Marshall head coach Mark
Snyder. The penalty was never revoked and the wound remains fresh in
Davis's mind. He had played 11 games, including nine starts, as a
junior, recording 18 tackles and recovering one fumble. Davis believes
he was ready to take the next step in his career, hoping to attract
NFL scouts.

"It was a serious situation, and they had to maintain the integrity of
their program," he said, shrugging. "I just wish someone would have
commented that I was a good kid who never missed meetings, went to
class and graduated. Instead, I was labelled as an outcast and they
cut the ties." Davis returned to Montreal and was ready to turn pro,
but Als general manager Jim Popp refused to grant his request before
conducting a thorough investigation - one that lasted nearly a year.
Popp interviewed Davis and his family. He spoke to lawyers and others
close to the situation. Only then was an invitation extended.

"All this happened after we drafted him," Popp said. "Last year, there
were too many unanswered questions. Today, it's not finalized. But I'm
comfortable enough to give him a chance.

"If the outcome isn't favourable, he won't be here. He's being
monitored closely. He knows: One strike and he's gone. But everyone
deserves a second chance." The Als as an organization, and Popp in
particular, have always been liberal and forgiving when it comes to
signing players. Running-back Lawrence Phillips, who has had numerous
brushes with the law, spent 2002 with Montreal, while former Dallas
Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter was invited to camp last year, but
didn't last long. At least two other players at this year's camp have
been arrested for off-field activities while at college.

"You could write articles every year," Popp said. "You're talking
about guys in the wrong place who weren't the main instigators,
although I'm not saying they didn't do anything wrong. I do as much
background as I can on players. If the feedback's good on a guy and he
simply made a mistake, I'm comfortable giving them a chance." Which is
all Davis wants. He appreciates and is "extremely thankful" for the
chance Popp has extended. The rest is up to Davis, and it won't be
easy. Incumbent Dario Romero and former NFL player Devone Claybrooks
will probably start at tackle, with Canadian veterans Steve
Charbonneau and Randy Spencer probably part of the rotation.

That doesn't leave much room for anyone else. Davis realizes tomorrow
afternoon's first exhibition game, at Toronto, is huge for himself and
other rookies.

"You might only have the opportunity to make one or two plays. You've
got to be in the right spot," he said. "You have to impress them so
they want to play you or develop you. I'm looking to make a statement
and play extremely well." Notes - Former Als defensive-back Chip Cox
has been released by the Washington Redskins and could be headed back
to Montreal. ... Several veteran players, including quarterback
Anthony Calvillo, running-back Robert Edwards and slotback Ben Cahoon,
won't make the trip to Toronto this morning.