MontrealAlouettes.com
MONTREAL – The Alouettes return to Percival Molson Stadium tonight after nearly a one month absence to clash with the division rival Tiger-Cats.
The homecoming will also mark a special day, as quarterback Anthony Calvillo will be celebrating his 40th birthday Thursday night. Age is nothing but a number for the 19-year veteran who is young at heart, playing the game he loves with his teammates.
“Without them and the success that we all shared in Montreal, there is no way that I would have been able to play for this long,” confided Calvillo fresh off six straight 300-yard passing games. “I may be 40, but I’m still playing professional football and I certainly don’t feel my age when I’m out on the field.”
With all the young talent on the roster, the Calvillo has been playing pro football when some of his teammates were in grade school. Rookie Patrick Lavoie is one of them.
“I noticed a generation gap at least five years ago,” said Calvillo with a smile. “I listen to my kids music because that’s the only thing I hear when I’m home.”
Forget the fact that the all-time passing leader in professional football is one of the eldest players in the CFL, he still sits atop the league in passing yards with 2,328, and is second in both touchdowns with 17 and efficiency rating at 106.2.
That has to be a scary thought for Hamilton’s defence, as they rank sixth in the league with just over 300 yards allowed per game.
Montreal is coming off back-to-back road wins over Winnipeg and Edmonton, while Hamilton is stumbling after suffering two straight losses to the Stampeders and Blue Bombers. As a result, the Als are tied with the Argos for top spot in the East Division at 4-3.
“We are learning more about ourselves,” explained head coach Marc Trestman. “Every week we are faced with different challenges and that’s what this amazing journey is all about. The last two weeks we’ve ascended in all three phases. We got better on defence and have shown flashes of what we are capable of.”
The Alouettes defensive unit stepped up big by intercepting three passes, recovering a fumble and recording five QB sacks last week in Edmonton.
“That performance was evidence of what we can do when all the guys are meshing together,” admitted defensive back Billy Parker. “We all work well together as a unit. We just lean on each other for different things.”
Hamilton won the first meeting of the season back in July by a score of 39-24 at home, as QB Henri Burris played near-flawless football completing 27 of his 30 passes for 360 yards and four touchdowns. While his monster numbers are reason for concern, the Als’ secondary is zoning in on their other dangerous weapon: receiver Chris Williams.
“He has been playing lights out this season,” continued Parker. “Making him uncomfortable is going to be important in our success. But we have experienced guys in our secondary. Kyries [Hebert] has played in this league before as well as in the NFL and he’s been a great addition to the team this year. Osaisai also saw some playing time last season in the CFL and Jerald Brown and Dwight Anderson continue to be shutdown defensive backs.”
Tiger-Cats running back Avon Cobourne will step into the starting role with rookie Chevon Walker nursing an injury sustained last Thursday against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. This will be his first start of the season, since the former Als rusher rejoined the Ticats a week into training camp.
Notes: After missing a week with a head injury suffered on August 9 against Calgary, non-import receiver Andy Fantuz is also expected to be in the lineup against Montreal … Angy Riendeau, fullback Patrick Lavoie’s girlfriend will sing the National Anthem before tonight’s game, something she has been doing well before Patrick was drafted by the Alouettes this past spring.
