It’s becoming quite obvious – not that it wasn’t already apparent – the Alouettes believe improving their defence is their philosophy heading into a new season.

Since free agency began in the Canadian Football League last Wednesday, the Als have signed linebacker Rod Davis from Edmonton and British Columbia defensive-tackle Aaron Hunt.

And on Tuesday, the team announced the signing of linebacker Mark Restelli from the Eskimos.

Restelli, 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, spent three seasons with the Eskimos, registering 74 tackles and four quarterback sacks. He was a late cut last September by the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.

He’s 25 years old and is a Houston native.

Restelli suffered a serious knee injury early in the 2010 season and was placed on the nine-game injured list.

Several days ago, it appeared the Alouettes were out of the hunt – no pun intended – for free-agent defensive-tackle Aaron Hunt.

But on Saturday afternoon, it appeared Hunt was on the verge of signing with the Als for two years, according to TSN.ca.

The two sides are close to agreeing on a deal, although no contract has officially been signed. But Hunt, through his Twitter account, is making it sound like that’s a mere formality.

“Bittersweet day today but I figured it would feel this way!,” Hunt posted @ahunt90. “Time to turn another page in the chapter of A. Hunts book!”

Later, Hunt issued another Tweet: “I gotta ask does anyone have a hook up on that Rosetta stone? I gotta learn some French!! Lol.”

The 6-foot-3, 280-pound Hunt, 31, has spent his entire six-year Canadian Football League career with the British Columbia Lions. He was the league’s outstanding rookie in 2006 and is a two-time CFL all-star, including last season, when he registered seven quarterback sacks for the Grey Cup champions.

Hunt had a career-high 11 sacks in 2008 and has 41 throughout his career.

The Als have an opening for a defensive tackle following the release this week of veteran Eric Wilson.

Hunt earned about $130,000 last season with the Lions, but B.C. offered less than $100,000 when they first approached him about re-signing. It was also made clear to Hunt he would probably play less next season, following the emergence of Khalif Mitchell.

Hunt’s agent, Darren Gill, was in negotiations with the Lions, Hamilton and Montreal. But the Tiger-Cats have been on a free-agent spending spree this week, including the signing of receiver Andy Fantuz from Saskatchewan.

It’s well imagined the Als went back to Gill and increased their offer, after the two sides began negotiating on Wednesday.

Neither Gill nor Als general manager Jim Popp could be reached for comment.

At about 1 a.m. Thursday, Als Inside/Out learned Montreal has signed free-agent linebacker Rod Davis from the Edmonton Eskimos.

Davis, an import from Gulfport, Miss., is 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds. He spent the last three seasons with the Eskimos.

He was a fifth-round selection (155th overall) of the Minnesota Vikings in 2004. Davis played 40 games with Minnesota and Carolina over three seasons. He was signed by Edmonton as a free agent in 2009.

Davis was all over the field for Edmonton last season, recording 79 tackles and five quarterback sacks in 14 games.

Heading into free agency, which began at noon on Wednesday, there was speculation Davis wanted to sign with British Columbia, where he would have been reunited with his former defensive co-ordinator, Rich Stubler.

Davis is 30 years old.

The Als weren’t expected to be very active in free agency, according to general manager Jim Popp.

The Alouettes have lost their first free agent and, as expected, it’s Paul Woldu.

The non-import cornerback signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders for two years on Wednesday, as free agency began in the Canadian Football League.

Woldu is a native of Regina.

He was drafted by the Als in the fifth round (36th overall) of the 2008 draft and spent four seasons with Montreal.

“It was a contract I couldn’t refuse, to be honest,” Woldu told Als Inside/Out.

The contract’s believed to include a significant signing bonus – perhaps as much as $20,000.

The Als have been inactive in the market until now, although general manager Jim Popp is believed to have inquired about British Columbia defensive-tackle Aaron Hunt.

For now it appears Hunt’s too rich for the Als’ blood.

This will surprise many people who had expected controversial defensive-back Dwight Anderson to be released from the Alouettes:

According to general manager Jim Popp, Anderson will be back with the team in 2012.

“He’s coming back. He will be at training camp,” Popp told Als Inside/Out on Tuesday.

The Als made a splash last February, on the opening day of free agency, when they signed Anderson.

While Anderson endeared himself to his teammates, he took some unnecessary penalties and is believed to have had an off-field disagreement with head coach Marc Trestman.

Anderson eventually was placed on the nine-game injured list after sustaining a torn quad muscle.

Despite Popp’s claim, two things must occur before Anderson returns.

The player’s still owed a significant off-season bonus payment from the Als. And, it can be assumed, Anderson and Trestman must sit down and discuss matters, ensuring the two are on the same page.

But Anderson’s return would significantly improve the team’s secondary. That’s the bottom line.

Both moves had been anticipated, but on Tuesday, the Alouettes officially confirmed the re-signing of veteran guard Scott Flory. At the same time, the team announced the release of defensive-tackle Eric Wilson.

Flory was eligible to become a free agent this Wednesday at noon ET. Als general manager Jim Popp told Als Inside/Out on Monday he expected Flory to re-sign before the deadline.

Flory, 35, was the CFL’s outstanding lineman in 2008 and ‘09. He signed a three-year deal.

Als Inside/Out suggested weeks ago that Wilson’s days with Montreal were likely coming to an end.

The 34-year-old spent five seasons with the Als, but also requires wrist surgery – a procedure that could potentially end his playing days.

“He has been a tremendous player and leader,” Popp said. “But it’s one of those situations where we’re looking for a different variety of defensive-lineman.

“He has done everything we’ve asked him to do with more than 100 per cent effort.”

With free agency in the Canadian Football League set to begin this Wednesday at noon ET, Alouettes general manager Jim Popp said he’s cautiously optimistic of getting veteran guard Scott Flory re-signed before that deadline.

“I expect to get a deal done with Flory before Wednesday,” Popp told Als Inside/Out on Monday afternoon. “I’m not concerned if he’s going to stay. He wants to. It has just been a slow-moving thing.”

Flory has failed to respond to numerous telephone message left over several days by Als Inside/Out.

The CFL’s outstanding lineman in 2008 and ‘09, Flory has spent virtually his entire 13-year career with Montreal.

He did briefly sign with Saskatchewan in 2004, but then developed philosophical differences with the team’s management at that time and refused to report to training camp. The Als subsequently traded a first-round draft choice to the Roughriders to re-acquire his rights.

Flory is one of five potential free agents along with rush-end Jermaine McElveen, cornerbacks Mark Estelle and Paul Woldu, and special teams member Walter Spencer.

According to a well-placed source, the Alouettes have released Sandro DeAngelis, their backup kicker.

DeAngelis’s name no longer appears on their website team roster.

The move hardly comes as a surprise. DeAngelis failed to play one regular-season game in 2011, unable to supplant Sean Whyte. The Als acquired Whyte in a trade from British Columbia for their first-round draft choice. The Als also selected Brody McKnight, a kicker, with their first-round draft pick last May.

Whyte had a strong season and was the East Division nominee as outstanding Canadian.

Meanwhile, the Als on Friday announced the signing of six players, including running-back Noel Devine.

Devine, 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds, played collegiately at West Virginia. In four seasons, he rushed for 4,315 yards while scoring 29 touchdowns. He can also return kickoffs.

He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent in 2011 but walked out, eventually signing with Omaha of the UFL.

Also signed were:

DB/KR Stephan Neville

WR Felton Huggins

DE Michael Montgomery

DE Duke Lemmens

DB Dajuan Morgan

Meanwhile, the Canadian Football League announced a three-year contract extension for commissioner Mark Cohon. The league also announced free agency, which was scheduled to begin at 12:01 am on Feb. 16, has been moved 12 hours ahead and will now commence at noon ET on Feb. 15.

It’s the end of an era.

Following 10 seasons with the Alouettes, veteran rush-end Anwar Stewart was released on Wednesday, according to TSN.ca. In an interview Wednesday morning with Als Inside/Out, Stewart said he was expecting to be released today and was awaiting confirmation from general manager Jim Popp.

The Als, late Wednesday afternoon, issued a release, confirming Stewart’s release. The team also announced receiver Danny Desriveaux has been cut.

Stewart, of course, originally told montrealgazette.com on Jan. 23 that he figured his association with the team was over.

Stewart, coincidentally, turns 36 on Thursday.

According to TSN.ca, the Alouettes have decided on Jeff Reinebold as the team’s new defensive co-ordinator.

Reinebold, 57, replaces Tim Tibesar, who accepted a similar position at Purdue University.

Reinebold should be familiar to CFL fans, although he has been away from the league for 14 years.

He spent two seasons as Winnipeg’s head coach, back in 1997-98. The Blue Bombers’ combined record was 7-29 over that span and the team missed the playoffs both seasons.

Reinebold also spent time in the CFL with B.C., Edmonton and Las Vegas, coaching receivers and special teams.

He has been in U.S. collegiate football the last five seasons. He coached the defensive line at the University of Hawaii in 2006-07 before moving to Southern Methodist University, when he coached the receivers until the end of the 2011 season.

It’s believed former Saskatchewan head coach Greg Marshall, a long-time defensive co-ordinator in the CFL, was also in the mix for the Als’ position. But head coach Marc Trestman decided upon Reinebold.