MONTREAL - Coming off a 2011 season where the Alouettes' defensive performance fell well short of expections due to a catastrophic list of injuries, you had to know changes were on the horizon.

Some of those changes were sure to come out of necessity, with the Als struggling last season to contain the improving offences in the East Division. Some were going to come via design, with roster moves and new schemes.

Sure enough, not long after New Year's, defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar announced he was leaving his post with the team to assume the same duties for the NCAA's Purdue Boilermakers.

While we're yet to see what effects Tibesar's exit, and the subsequent hiring of Jeff Reinebold as his replacement, will have on the Alouettes' defence schematically, we've already seen some of the team's defensive renovation via roster moves.

In the last couple of weeks, the Als have released veteran leaders like Anwar Stewart and Eric Wilson, ringing in serious change along the defensive front. As of this posting, the status of other defensive veterans like free agents Jermaine McElveen and Mark Estelle and estranged DB Dwight Anderson were up in the air.

Add in the retirement of back-up safety Tad Crawford and the return of Etienne Boulay, and you have flux at all three levels of the defence.

With so many questions extant, here's a quick look at the Als' defensive roster heading into free agency February 15, with an eye toward what this year's market has to offer.

DEFENSIVE LINE

No unit has suffered more change this off-season than the Als' defensive line. The release of Stewart and Wilson will certainly have huge impacts on the field and in the locker room. Both players were leaders on and off the field, and their absence will change how Montreal's defensive front goes to work, no doubt.

Coupled with Stewart's release, the possible departure of McElveen will mean a shift in pass-rushing responsibility.

Behind premier rush end John Bowman, the Als are going to have to find pressure from inexperienced sources. Word is, the team has great faith in Daunte Akra to step into a starting role. Veteran special teams demon Kitwana Jones is still in the wings and can fill in admirably in short bursts.

Truthfully, we'll have to wait and see who'll slot in after these players to give the team the pass rush they need to compete in the division.

At defensive tackle, the Als are placing big faith in Moton Hopkins to man the middle. Hopkins was certainly a disruptive force when he broke into the line up mid-year.

At full health, J.P. Bekasiak can be an impact player on the interior as well. But until the team's ratio issues set themselves, there's no way of knowing if the Als will need to fill that spot with a non-import.

Two players I'm very interested in following come training camp are rookies Tremaine Johnson and Ventrell Jenkins.

Free Agency Prospectus: Premier pass rusher Justin Hickman signed with the Indianapolis Colts, and B.C's Khalif Mitchell chose to return to the club instead of taking advantage of his option, thinning the free agent pool of lineman considerably. The Lions' Aaron Hunt is still available and would be an asset to any defensive tackle rotation. The Esks' defensive end Greg Peach might also draw some attention on the market. Truth be told, though, the best d-lineman available in this season's crop of free agents is McElveen.

LINEBACKERS

Stocked and healthy, there's no better unit on the Als' roster than its linebacking corps.

Vets Chip Cox, Shea Emry, Diamond Ferri, and Ramon Guzmon are top-shelf players more than capable of playing at an all-star level. As a group, these players offer speed, intelligence, ball skills, and physicality I'd stack against any team in the league.

One of the biggest signings of the off-season was the extension of Marc-Olivier Brouillette. Brouillette is a rare combination of size and speed who can play with equal success as an LB and as a safety. He's also a top-flight special teams player.

Injuries forced Bear Woods into action late in the year last season, and while he struggles at times filling in for Emry, he showed enough natural ability to give hope he can develop into a player the Als can count if needed.

Free Agency Prospectus: The only free agent linebacker of note is the Esks' Mark Restelli, and it's safe to say that the Als aren't in the market for his services.

SECONDARY

Injuries absolutely ravaged the Alouettes' secondary in 2011. With Dwight Anderson, Mark Estelle, Jerald Brown, Billy Parker, Tad Crawford, and De'Audra Dix all missing significant time last season, it's a wonder Montreal could field a defence at all, much less finish the season a couple of points away from playing in the East Final.

Big time question marks hang over the health/status of DBs Estelle and Anderson. All indications are that Estelle will be allowed to test the free agent market while Anderson will be asked back to training camp this summer.

Non-import Paul Woldu is also likely to hit free agency unsigned. In fact, I'd be shocked if the Roughriders didn't sign him as early as Wednesday afternoon.

If healthy, Parker and Brown would be veteran bulwarks to build around in 2012. Both were performing at a high level when their seasons were sidetracked by injury last year. And both should have plenty of gas left in the tank.

Dix played well in stretches after returning to the roster in 2011, but was too often victimized on big plays.

Young DBs Seth Williams and Jeff Hecht also showed some promise with extended playing time down the stretch last year, and it's going to be interesting to see how they compete for starting roles this summer.

At safety, Boulay's return should be a welcomed sight. Hecht and Brouillette showed they had the goods to man the spot if called upon, though, so depth at the position at this point is much better than it was in late October.

Free Agency Prospectus: With Woldu and Estelle likely to leave the team, the Als have a few spots to fill in their secondary. Dante Marsh, Ryan Phillips, Jason Shivers, and Tristan Jackson are the cream of this year's DB crop. Of the bunch, I'd love to see the Als go after Jackson as much for his ability returning kicks as his talent as a DB

SPECIAL TEAMS

After releasing Damon Duval prior to last season, the Als loaded up on kickers trading for Sean Whyte, signing Sandro DeAngelis, and using a futures pick in the draft on Montana kicker Brody McKnight.

Whyte performed well enough both punting and kicking to keep DeAngelis off the active roster all season. Ultimately, Whyte's performance allowed the Als to release DeAngelis this off-season.

Even if McKnight signs with an NFL team this spring rather than reporting to the Als' camp, Montreal's kicking situation is secure with Whyte. His field goal accuracy is superb, and his placement of punts and kickoffs were exactly what the team wanted.

The return game is another matter, however. As much as the Als hoped Tim Maypray would develop into a dangerous returner in the mould of Ezra Landry and Larry Taylor, it never happened.

With Maypray's recent release, the job of primary returner is open for competition this June. Incumbents Noel Devine, Adam Mims, Rashaud Slaughter, and Bo Bowling will definitely have their chances to win the job. But it would be an inspired move for the Als to make a run at an established returner like Tristan Jackson to lock the spot down.

Free Agency Prospectus: Hands down, Jackson is the most dangerous special teamer on the market. Brandon Isaac might be an interesting option for teams needing coverage and secondary depth.

Up Next

I'll be back next Wednesday with a rundown of all the free agency activity from the first week of the frenzy, including an in-depth look at what goes down in the East Division.

Until then, take care. And get your shopping lists ready. The market's about to open.