Jul
Buono endorses Calvillo
Courtesy Montreal Gazette:
Now in his 20th season as a head coach in the Canadian Football League, it takes a lot to impress Wally Buono. And, although it’s still early in the regular season, Buono has been impressed by the play of Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo.
“I believe A.C. is the best quarterback in the league. By far,” Buono, who’s also general manager of the British Columbia Lions, said this week. “He’s on top of his game and very sharp. I watched him in the first half (last week) against Edmonton and he was unconscious. He has tremendous accuracy, velocity and is making all the throws. And he’s (nearly) 37. You won’t show him something he has never seen.
“As long as (head coach) Marc Trestman doesn’t bore him to death mentally, he’s being cerebrally challenged.”
Now in his 16th CFL season, Calvillo is in his customary position, atop the league’s passing statistics. Both he and Edmonton’s Ricky Ray have passed for 598 yards through two games. Calvillo has three touchdowns, only one interception and has completed 75 per cent of his passes. His efficiency rating is the highest among starters.
“I think he looks great,” Als slotback Ben Cahoon said. “I don’t know if there’s a significant improvement, because he was phenomenal last year.”
Calvillo, the league’s reigning outstanding player, said Montreal’s entire offence has improved in 2009, its second season under Trestman’s system and tutelage.
“Our team is better. When you’re in the same system, you grow as an offence,” he explained. “We’ve built from last year and are way ahead of the game.”
Calvillo and the Als’ offence face a stern test tomorrow afternoon, when they meet the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium. Both teams have yet to lose this season.
Montreal’s challenge this week will come from a defence that’s unique under co-ordinator Gary Etcheverry. The players are quick, athletic and create chaos. They bring pressure from multiple points and present various looks, making it difficult for the most wily of quarterbacks.
The Riders lead the league in sacks, with 11, and are tied with Winnipeg in interceptions, with four. Most of those have come against confused and surprised pivots.
Saskatchewan’s special teams also have blocked a pair of punts for touchdowns. All of this creates favourable field position and allows the team’s offence to succeed.
While this has caught Calvillo’s attention, he said it’s nothing he hasn’t seen before from the veteran Etcheverry. The Als will continue running their offence, relying on what has brought them to this point, instead of reacting to what they might witness.
“It’s a funky defence and will be challenging for the offensive line,” Calvillo said. “You never know where they’re going to end up. They start in one position, but end in a different spot. I’ll just continue to go through my reads and believe the line will pick up the blitzes. I have a high percentage throw and get the ball out of my hands fast.”
The Riders might rush only two players. They might have three line up outside the tackle. Offensive tackle Josh Bourke said it’s important to stick to the plan and block the look.
“It’s definitely more challenging and they give you some unique looks,” he said. “But we’re good enough and smart enough to make the adjustments.”
Guard Scott Flory said there has been some confusion watching it on film, which makes you wonder how the Als will cope and adjust on the field. Flory said it’ll come down to communication on the line.
But the Riders also boast an experienced secondary, led by defensive backs Eddie Davis and Omarr Morgan, who have 25 years’ CFL experience between them. They don’t play a lot of man, Calvillo explained, trusting they can sit back in zone coverage because of what’s happening up front.
“We have to protect Anthony and find some holes in their zones,” Cahoon said. “Their front seven presents a ton of challenges.”
The Als’ defence will be reinforced by the return to practice of weak-side linebacker Diamond Ferri. He missed workouts Tuesday and Wednesday with the stomach flu, lost about five or six pounds and was restricted to a diet of toast, rice and bananas, for fibre.
“I was sick enough to not come to work, but I’m feeling much better,” he explained. “I might have missed practice, but I haven’t missed a step.”
The Riders are sound offensively, led by quarterback Darian Durant. Although Durant hasn’t run frequently this season, he’s mobile and presents that threat.
“They’re sporadic. They have lots of different guys making plays,” Ferri said. “The quarterback scrambles and the receivers sneak away.
“We’ve watched them two games. They look terrific and sometimes not so good. But we have to go in like they’re the best team.”
Note – Defensive tackle Jeff Robertshaw and linebacker John Mohring, both out with shoulder injuries, have been placed on the nine-game injured list by Montreal and won’t be eligible to return until Sept. 24.
