Saturday afternoon will be a tough day of decisions for head coach Marc Trestman. How much does he play his A-Team? How Much does he play his most valued possessions: the veterans. The names that stick out when you think veterans and Montreal Alouettes are Anthony Calvillo, Ben Cahoon, Anwar Stewart, Davis Sanchez, Brian Chiu, Scott Flory and Paul Lambert. However you can't forget Avon Cobourne, Chip Cox, John Bowman, all leaders at their positions.
There are four games this weekend and only one has no bearing on any playoff positioning in the CFL, Montreal in Toronto. A game between a team with nothing to lose and another that has nothing to gain. There is nothing for the Alouettes to gain by playing any of their A-Team for more than a quarter. Does Calvillo really need to work on timing with Cahoon? Do Lambert, Flory and Chiu really need to work on their communication between the tackles? Does Bowman really need the sack title? the Answer is no to all questions.
-Calvillo has been in the league long enough that two weeks off can only help not hinder his play, Calvillo showed last week that he's hitting his stride heading into the playoffs, Give him a quarter to give the team a 2 score lead.
-Cahoon went two weeks with only 2 receptions in 2 games against BC in September and still is leading the league in receptions, keep his reception streak going and get him out.
-Watkins and Richardson have both reached their 1000yard marks. Let them play the half, but no crossing routes, keep them away form big hit potential.
-Cobourne is the one I would play, full game. After the bye week and after he was injured and missed the October 12th game against Calgary he struggled for two weeks to get his groove, only running for over fifty yards right after the bye with 93, but 43 of those yards came on one run, which was his longest of the season. Cobourne is a guy that needs his touches he feeds off of them. The goal of the game in Toronto should be to have him touch the ball at least 20 times.
-Offensive line, Rotate in some of the younger guys, but never to the extent that the QB, Calvillo or McPherson is ever in danger.
-Anwar Stewart, Give him the day off, he's earned it.
-John Bowman, Keron Williams, have them start and then start sending the young guys and see what they can do one on one.
-Davis Sanchez, dress him and play him for a half, he missed two weeks ago and could use a little game action, however it's not like Toronto has any threats at the WR position.
-Chip Cox, Rest him, just like Stewart, it's earned by the teams leading tackler.
As far as anyone else, that's up to Trestman and his coaching staff to decide, but the only question to ask after Saturday's game win or lose is: Who's banged up? That'll be your post game press conference. The problem Trestman faces is that he has 42 roster spots not nearly enough for a meaningless game this weekend. The Als are hoping to get shutout on the injury list, that's the only victory to be had.
There are four games this weekend and only one has no bearing on any playoff positioning in the CFL, Montreal in Toronto. A game between a team with nothing to lose and another that has nothing to gain. There is nothing for the Alouettes to gain by playing any of their A-Team for more than a quarter. Does Calvillo really need to work on timing with Cahoon? Do Lambert, Flory and Chiu really need to work on their communication between the tackles? Does Bowman really need the sack title? the Answer is no to all questions.
-Calvillo has been in the league long enough that two weeks off can only help not hinder his play, Calvillo showed last week that he's hitting his stride heading into the playoffs, Give him a quarter to give the team a 2 score lead.
-Cahoon went two weeks with only 2 receptions in 2 games against BC in September and still is leading the league in receptions, keep his reception streak going and get him out.
-Watkins and Richardson have both reached their 1000yard marks. Let them play the half, but no crossing routes, keep them away form big hit potential.
-Cobourne is the one I would play, full game. After the bye week and after he was injured and missed the October 12th game against Calgary he struggled for two weeks to get his groove, only running for over fifty yards right after the bye with 93, but 43 of those yards came on one run, which was his longest of the season. Cobourne is a guy that needs his touches he feeds off of them. The goal of the game in Toronto should be to have him touch the ball at least 20 times.
-Offensive line, Rotate in some of the younger guys, but never to the extent that the QB, Calvillo or McPherson is ever in danger.
-Anwar Stewart, Give him the day off, he's earned it.
-John Bowman, Keron Williams, have them start and then start sending the young guys and see what they can do one on one.
-Davis Sanchez, dress him and play him for a half, he missed two weeks ago and could use a little game action, however it's not like Toronto has any threats at the WR position.
-Chip Cox, Rest him, just like Stewart, it's earned by the teams leading tackler.
As far as anyone else, that's up to Trestman and his coaching staff to decide, but the only question to ask after Saturday's game win or lose is: Who's banged up? That'll be your post game press conference. The problem Trestman faces is that he has 42 roster spots not nearly enough for a meaningless game this weekend. The Als are hoping to get shutout on the injury list, that's the only victory to be had.
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