Als know they’ll be going to training camp without QB Calvillo
So, what now? Anthony Calvillo wasn’t around the Alouettes for long periods of time last season, having suffered a concussion in mid-August. But, at least his teammates and organization realized their security blanket still was part of the roster.
Not anymore. Calvillo announced his retirement on Tuesday. For the first time since 1998, the Als will enter training camp without his familiar teal jersey on the field. We’re about to find out whether this team can consistently win and remain competitive without Calvillo.
“It’s going to be hard. We haven’t really won without him, ever, as long as I’ve been here,” said offensive-tackle Jeff Perrett. “It’s a new chapter of the Als.”
In Calvillo’s 16 seasons with Montreal, the team went to eight championship games, winning three Grey Cups. The Als finished first in the East Division an incredible 10 times. Only twice, in 2007 and last season, did the team have losing records. Not so coincidentally, Calvillo wasn’t with the team for large periods of times both seasons.
“We’re losing the leader of this organization,” receiver Eric Deslauriers said. “Fun is winning games. Bottom line, when 13 was under centre, we had a heck of a chance to win the game.
“Ik now defence wins championships but, for me, Anthony Calvillo was the reason why the Montreal Alouettes won for so many years. The quarterback position will be filled, but you can never fill Anthony Calvillo’s shoes.”
Deslauriers will feel the effect of Calvillo’s absence before some others. He was one of a handful of players who trained with the veteran pivot during the winter.
“I’m used to throwing with him. I’m used to running with him. I’m used to having him joke around at workouts,” Deslauriers said. “To not have him there ... is going to be a huge hit for me.
“I keep think of the word devastating, because it’s such a devastating loss to lose a player like him. I think we still can win without Anthony Calvillo.”
If Calvillo was the leader and face of the franchise, others will have to assume that role. If it was Calvillo who carried the team through adversity, others will have to step forward when the inevitable occurs and the storm must be weathered.
If anything positive came from last season, it’s the fact the Als proved they could win with Troy Smith, Tanner Marsh and Josh Neiswander. Of course, they also lost many games with them as well. But all three received significant playing time that wouldn’t have materialized had Calvillo remained healthy.
The Als will enter training camp with Smith, predictably, as the designated starter, although general manager and head coach Jim Popp claimed the competition will remain open.
Smith, the former Heisman Trophy winner, came to the Als last season and was somewhat rushed onto the field following an injury to Marsh, combined with some ineffect- iveness from Neiswander.
Smith replaced Marsh during an October game against Winnipeg, the Blue Bombers jumping into a 10-0 first-quarter lead, and completed the season behind centre.
Smith started the final three regular-season games, the Als winning twice. His best statistics came in a losing cause, against Hamilton, when he passed for 340 yards. Smith also started in the division semifinal loss against the Tiger-Cats.
Both Smith and Marsh were signed to contract extensions recently. Neiswander is a potential free agent next month. Former Winni- peg quarterback Alex Brink also remains under contract. Popp said four pivots will be brought to camp.
Popp said the players had to learn to function without Calvillo last season. He believes the Als will be ahead of the curve this year, knowing Smith will have a full camp to sharpen his tools. Both Smith and Marsh will get more reps during those workouts than they would have received had Calvillo remained healthy and returned.
“This is real. We have to take a step forward and depend on other people,” Popp said. “We were competitive last year. People may not look at it that way, but we were in a lot of games and should have won more games.
“I feel good about our situation,” he added. “Do I feel great? The more I win, the better I feel. New stars are created. New people are idolized. We have to do that.”
Toronto, which finished first in the division, won 11 games last season and has established veteran Ricky Ray at quarterback. Hamilton, which lost the Grey Cup, is led by veteran Henry Burris, a potential free agent who’s expected to return. So the Als’ task is potentially daunting, although they should benefit from the addition of an expansion franchise in Ottawa, Winnipeg now returning to the West Division.
“I feel great about where we are,” Popp said. “I’m not saying we’re going to be as good as we were with Anthony Calvillo, but we surely have the ability. I feel we’ll be that competitive right now, before we even go into camp.”
During his retirement announcement, Calvillo said he believes the team is in capable hands. He said he was impressed by Smith, thrust into a difficult situation. Smith, presumably, can only improve with time.
Popp’s biggest mandate at camp — presuming he returns as coach — might be convincing the players this team can remain formidable, since many sound skeptical.
“He made us look good. Let’s not get it rearranged, where we made him look good,” said offensive-tackle Josh Bourke, a potential free agent. “He made us look good a lot of times.
“It’s going to be a challenge. Ninety-five per cent of teams that win championships have great quarterbacks. They’re not going to fill (Calvillo’s) shoes, let’s not kid ourselves. I like what guys did last year. I think the future’s going to be bright.
“I have the utmost respect for Anthony. I wish he could play forever.”