MontrealAlouettes.com
Calgary, August 26, 2011 – The Alouettes (5-2) left Montreal for Calgary after practice yesterday as the team gets set to face the Stampeders (5-2) at McMahon Stadium tomorrow afternoon. Both teams will be playing their first game since the bye week and MontrealAlouettes.com has compiled a few key match-ups and players to keep an eye on.
Anthony Calvillo vs. Henry Burris
Anthony Calvillo and Henry Burris are both part of systems which, much to the delight of the two veteran quarterbacks, put a focus on passing first. In fact, only the Saskatchewan Roughriders have completed more passes than the two aforementioned teams. Both Calvillo and Burris have already surpassed the 2,000-yard passing mark this season, with the former currently sitting second in the CFL in passing yards with 2,095 and leading the league in touchdown passes with 14. Burris is not far behind Calvillo, trailing him by only 55 passing yards and 4 touchdowns.
The two quarterbacks have been rather precise with their passing so far in 2011, with Calvillo completing 65.2 % of his passes to Burris’ 63,5%. Burris has guided his team to an impressive 5-2 start, good for the top spot in the West Division.
Calvillo, who just turned 39 this past Tuesday continues to defy his age and has already broken two league records this season. Experience has favoured the Alouettes’ quarterback who is the second eldest player in the CFL behind the Lions’ Paul McCallum (41).
The Alouettes’ receiving corps vs. the Stampeders’ secondary
Despite the loss of key players in Calgary’s secondary this past off-season, including cornerbacks Dwight Anderson and Brandon Browner, the latter of whom signed with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, the Stamps defence has been ferocious. Calgary is giving up the second-fewest net yards through the air (1,791), the second-fewest passing yards per game on average (255.9), and they’ve allowed the fewest completed passes (130).
It will be interesting to see if Calgary’s stout defence will be able to contain an S.J. Green and Jamel Richardson tandem which has combined for 76 catches so far this year, good for 1,159 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Sean Whyte kicking his way into the record books
Since missing on his very first attempt both of the season and as an Alouette, kicker Sean Whyte has gone on to successfully connect on 19-straight field goals and has been perfect in his last six starts with the Alouettes, leaving him just two kicks short of Don Sweet’s team record of 21 straight, set in 1976. Whyte, who has kicked an average on 2.7 field goals per game this season will have the chance surpass Sweet’s record against the Stampeders Saturday.
Perry Floyd makes his Alouettes’ debut
Rookie import receiver and special teams returner Perry Floyd will be returning kicks for the Alouettes in the absence of Tim Maypray. “I feel blessed to have another opportunity to play football in the CFL,” said the 22-year old after Thursday’s practice. “I am trying to find my role within this team and succeed in what is asked of me,” he added. So far this season, he has recorded two receptions for 28 yards and will be looking to make a splash with his new team.
The Alouettes will face the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium this Saturday, August 27 at 4:00 p.m. EST (RDS HD, TSN HD, CKAC, CJAD and Sirius 157).
