Courtesy Montreal Gazette:

Age and experience has its advantages.

Slotback Ben Cahoon was one of many veterans given a respite by Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman last night. And why not? Cahoon, we’ll go out on a limb and predict, has made this year’s squad. And, at age 35, is there any reason for him to play in a meaningless exhibition game? Not really. It’s a dangerous proposition to take much from games that don’t count.

There are too many players, too many errors and breakdowns, too many penalties and too much to keep track of. But Cahoon came away impressed by last night’s 34-34 tie against the Toronto Argonauts before the usual 20,202 Molson Stadium spectators in the teams’ opening exhibition game.

“We showed heart and we showed big-play ability,” Cahoon said. “We showed efficiency on offence. We put some great drives together and moved the ball well, especially in the first half.”

It was, as usual, hard to argue with Cahoon, entering his 11th Canadian Football League season, all spent in Montreal.

With quarterback Anthony Calvillo - like Cahoon - given a rest along with many others, veteran backup Marcus Brady was expected to draw the starting assignment. But Brady suffered what the team said is a minor back injury during the pregame warmup. That thrust Brad Banks into the spotlight.

Banks had a stellar college career with the Iowa Hawkeyes, but has played sparingly in the CFL. It seems like he has always been behind somebody - Kerry Joseph in Ottawa, Winnipeg’s Kevin Glenn and Calvillo.

But for one night, at least, Banks was able to display his unbridled potential. Playing less than a half, he completed 15 of 21 passes for 142 yards along with one touchdown - a 27-yard pass to Brian Bratton at 8:31 of the first quarter after the Argos had taken a 14-0 lead.

“I showed some good things and made some nice throws,” said Banks, 28. “I beat the pressure and showed I could play. That’s what I’ve wanted to do for so long.”

Winnipeg acquired Banks in the Renegades’ dispersal draft in 2006, and he was traded to the Als during training camp last year. Banks got into brief portions of three games for Montreal, completing half of his six attempts. He was intercepted twice.

Read More….