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What Kavis Reed said he hoped would be a magnanimous gesture has now taken on a life of its own, leading to speculation Alouettes’ general manager Jim Popp won’t return as the team’s head coach following a bye week in the schedule.

And given the repeated bizarre circumstances that have plagued the team this season, should anyone be surprised?

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“I’m completely dumbfounded as to how this could have turned into a story of Jim not returning,” Reed told the Montreal Gazette by telephone while awaiting a flight home for the team’s week-long break. “I knew what kind of week Jim was having in terms of a personal situation that happened. As a former head coach, you understand how things can compound.

“I thought it would be a good gesture.”

The Als lost their fourth consecutive game Friday night at Hamilton, but fought to the end before being edged 20-17 by the Tiger-Cats, losing on a final-play field goal. Montreal now has a 3-9 record. With six games remaining, the team is five points behind Ottawa (5-5-1) in the East Division. Only two teams from that side of the bracket are expected to qualify for the playoffs. The Ticats (6-6) sit first.