Als QB Mcpherson to start against Bombers
Move expected as team clinches first in East
Every Alouettes fan who has been hoping for Adrian McPherson to receive some playing time this season will finally be assuaged on Saturday. As expected, the backup quarterback will get the start at Winnipeg, in the regular-season finale.
Head coach Marc Trestman made the fairly predictable proclamation on Tuesday, when his players gathered for meetings and film review. Veteran starting quarterback Anthony Calvillo will complete the season with 5,082 passing yards along with 31 touchdowns. He’s the Canadian Football League’s leading passer — 212 yards ahead of Hamilton’s Henry Burris.
“We accomplished last week what we needed to accomplish — that was to give A.C. a sense of comfort with the other guys that had to play,” Trestman said. “Although he’s feeling great, he needs to be rested. That has been the protocol and it has worked for us.”
Indeed, Trestman isn’ t reinventing the wheel here. This marks the fourth time in his five seasons with the Als the team has clinched first place in the East Div- ision before the end of the year. In two of those seasons, 2009 and 2010, McPherson played the final game.
“He (McPherson) is as prepared a player as we have on this team,” Trestman said. “This is a good opportunity for him to play and lead the team. If we need him in the playoffs, this would give him some sig- nificant playing time.”
McPherson, in his fifth season with the Als, is expected to play the entire game. It’s possible, should Montreal be comfortably ahead in the fourth quarter, Trestman might give third-string quarterback Josh Neiswander a series or two.
The Blue Bombers, already elim- inated from playoff contention, announced on Tuesday their starter will be Alex Brink. Both Buck Pierce and Joey Elliott are injured.
With so many veterans injured, Trestman doesn’t appear to be in a position to rest any of his starters. Receiver S.J. Green, who has missed the last four games with a knee injury, is expected to return. Also expected back is left guard Andrew Woodruff, who missed a game with a toe injury.
Montreal’s on a three-game winning streak and would improve to 12-6 with a victory. It would also be the 60th victory of Trestman’s career, surpassing the mark he holds with Peahead Walker, the Als’ head coach from 1952 to 1959. The Als can also finish with a winning record on the road should they defeat Winnipeg.
None of this, of course, matters to Trestman. He simply wants the team playing its best heading into the division final, Nov. 18, at Olympic Stadium.
“We still have things that need to be corrected,” he said, stating the obvious. “We’re not going out to play our best because it’ll break the record. We’re going out to win a game. I just want them to play at their best.
“The last two weeks we’ve been playing like the game was as important as any game they’ve ever played when, perceptively, people will say it didn’t mean anything.”
The Als have had mixed results under Trestman heading into the playoffs.
In 2008, they lost their last two games yet reached the Grey Cup, losing to Calgary. In 2009, they won their final two and captured the championship, while a year later, Montreal split, ended the season with a loss, yet repeated as champs.
Last season, requiring only a point to clinch first place, the Als lost their final three games, then were upset at Olympic Stadium by Hamilton in the division semifinal, losing in double overtime.
McPherson has attempted only five passes this season, completing two, one for a touchdown. He has primarily been used in short-yardage and goal-line scenarios, gaining 72 yards on 28 carries while scoring eight touchdowns.
Trestman, while acknowledging McPherson’s strength as a runner, said the team won’t overhaul its playbook. “I’ve always looked at the backup quarterback being one of the most important key components of your team,” Trestman said. “Adrian’s been ready to play and is a quiet leader.
“The team owes it to him to have his back. He has had theirs the entire season. I’m hoping the team will play for him.”