Goin’ home
Well, it’ll feel like that for Argos coach Anthony Calvillo who returns to Montreal as an opponent for first time
The shadow Anthony Calvillo has cast over the Montreal Alouettes franchise has been a large one.
Depending on one’s perspective, it either speaks to the organization’s inability to find a suitable replacement at the all-important quarterback position, or the brilliance that characterized Calvillo’s distinguished run.
But for the first time since leaving the Als in the offseason to become the Argonauts quarterbacks coach, Calvillo returns to Montreal as an opponent on Friday. He’ll likely feel at home in front of fans who have always recognized his many accomplishments and the gratitude he has shown for the city of Montreal.
“It’ll be different,’’ said Calvillo on Wednesday. “I knew what to expect once I joined (Toronto). It’s part of the process of being on a new team when you put on Argos gear. It’s now about getting used to going back to that old stadium.”
The list wannabe successors to Calvillo — which is quite considerable — reads like a rogues gallery of failed quarterbacks, some of whom Calvillo tried to guide when he retired in 2014 as a player to join the Als’ coaching staff.
In a quarterback-driven league such as the CFL, no team will accomplish anything without a legitimate signal-caller. Calvillo was among the greatest threedown football has ever seen, let go by Hamilton before he began to forge his hall of fame career in Montreal.
For those who have lost count, the Als have lost six games in a row and, barring some miraculous turnaround, are almost destined to miss the post-season for the fourth year in succession, which is unspeakably bad in a nineteam league where two-thirds of the teams make the playoffs.
When he joined the Als in 1998, Calvillo backed up Tracy Ham before emerging as the man in 2000.
On Aug. 17, 2013, Calvillo suffered a concussion and he retired one year later.
During a 12-year stretch in between, Calvillo became the CFL’s career passing leader and was voted Most Outstanding Player three times, leading the Als to nine first-place finishes and eight Grey Cup appearances with championship victories in 2002, ’09 and ’10.
But since its 21-18 Cup win over Saskatchewan in 2010, the Als have gone 55-80 during the regular season. They haven’t played in the post-season since losing the East final in 2014 to Hamilton.
Calvillo’s family has alternated between Montreal and Toronto this season, but with school about to start, they will make Montreal their home minus the patriarch.
“It’s been going very smoothly,’’ said Calvillo of the transition involving his family. “The travel of going back and forth has been great. The girls have gotten a chance to see what Toronto is all about.
“As many times as we’ve played here, we never had a chance to really appreciate the city. And that goes for any city we’ve played in. Now, we’re getting a better understanding of what Toronto is all about. It’s pretty cool.”
For 20 years, Montreal was Calvillo’s home and the bond remains strong as he returns.
“I have a lot of special ties out there,’’ he added. “Whether I’m on a different team or not.”
When Calvillo joined the Argos, Ricky Ray was the incumbent, a quarterback whom he battled against for years. Then it was James Franklin’s turn at bat and now the reins belong to McLeod Bethel-Thompson.
“It’s part of coaching,’’ said Calvillo of the changing quarterback faces. “Just like a player, you have to adapt to the situation. Right now, we have to adapt to a different quarterback going through a different situation, but it makes you a better coach. It challenges you and it makes you grow as a coach.”
As for Bethel-Thompson, Calvillo marvels at his dedication to the game.
“When he comes in early, he’s watching film, doing everything he needs to do as the starting quarterback. I think that is what has kept him around these years. He has the arm strength, No. 1. Secondly, he’s a professional and thirdly we’re getting a chance to see what he can do. That’s the fun part.”
It’ll be different. I knew what to expect once I joined (Toronto). It’s part of the process of being on a new team. Anthony Calvillo