NFL Preseason: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, David Foucault Debut

Two players with Montreal backgrounds, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and David Foucault, made their NFL Preseason debut this week with varying results.

Duvernay-Tardif, a sixth round pick (200th overall) of the Kansas City Chiefs, played offensive guard in their game against the Cincinnati Bengals. According to Pro Football Focus, he played 18 offensive snaps for the Chiefs.

Duvernay-Tardif, who played his university football at McGill and is a native of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, got a rating of 0.9 from Pro Football Focus (PFF). PFF uses 0 as an average player. Players get points added and removed based on how an average player would do certain things on the field.

His 18 snaps were less than most backups received in the game but more than the starters received for the Chiefs. It will be interesting to see how his play increases or decreases as the preseason continues. He is currently listed as the Chiefs third-string left guard.

UPDATE: It seems that he has been moved to the second team, according to Didier Ormejuste of RDS

It was a less successful debut for undrafted free-agent David Foucault with the Carolina Panthers.

Foucault played left tackle for the Panthers and saw plenty of playing time. His 39 offensive snaps according to PFF were the most of any Panthers offensive lineman.

David Foucault | Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

However, Foucault looked over-matched, especially with the pass rush. He earned a -5.8 rating from PFF on pass plays and allowed five hurries on the quarterback and three hits. He also had a penalty that brought back a 52-yard pass play in the third quarter. He had an overall rating of -4.5 due to his performance on running plays.

Foucault is from Lasalle, Quebec and played his university football at University of Montreal. He was the first round pick of the Montreal Alouettes in the 2014 CFL Draft. Foucault is listed as the Panthers third string left tackle.

Foucault is thought of as a raw prospect with potential. Even if he does not make the team, he may find himself on the practice squad or get picked up by another team.

There were other players with Montreal ties who played this weekend. Offensive lineman Michael Ola, who was with the Alouettes last year, played for the Chicago Bears under Marc Trestman his coach in Montreal.

Cory Greenwood didn’t get that opportunity. The London, Ontario native who played his university football at Concordia has played four seasons in the NFL. He was released days before the Detroit Lions were set to play the Cleveland Browns in their preseason opener.

The linebacker’s CFL rights are with the Toronto Argonauts. Greenwood played 2010-2012 with the Chiefs and spent last year on injured reserve with the Lions.