Post- Game Alservations: Put it in the Record books

Well it was going to happen for Anthony Calvillo sooner or later, he just decided on sooner. AC hit Eric Deslauriers in the 1st quarter to break the CFL's all-time TD mark as the Als trumped the Argos 40-17.

-This game wasn't all AC, RB Brandon Whitaker played a huge role with 27 touches and 214 total yards. The fact that Whitaker caught 11 passes means that the Argos DBs were doing their job.

-It did seem however, that Jim Barker did not implement a game plan for the one they call B-Whit. He showed a tremondous ammount of vision on numerous run plays finding not one or two holes but sometimes three.

-Back to AC, he's thrown 2 INTs this year, both started in the hands of his own receiver (Jamel Richardson and Eric Deslauriers).

-Chip Cox set a CFL record of his own with his 108 Fumble return. The previous mark was that of Ottawa Roughrider Al Washington in 1984 of 104 yards.

-Including special teams Chip Cox played 69 plays total in this game, He also had a pic and 7 tackles.

-Chad Kackert was washing dishes before the game and forgot to dry off his hands before playing, 2 fumbles at critical points in the game.

-Decent night for the Alouettes D line, 4, hurries, 4 hits and 2 sacks on Cleo Lemon.

-It was OL Scott Flory's 35th birthday, He was forced to play tackle when Josh Bourke got hurt. He hasn't done so since 2005. He prefers Guard as he was called for a holding penalty in the tackle position.

-Great to see Brandon London improve his game for the 3rd straight game. game 1: 1 reception, game 2: 3 receptions and game 3: 6 receptions. Anthony Calvillo is developing confidence with the wideout.

-What would have happened if Jamel Richardson and Kerry Watkins were in the line-up?

-It was a nice ceremony for Ben Cahoon, it is always great to see him in Montreal. But I have always believed if its a no-brainer to retire an athletes number, then there is no reason to wait. Just do it right away.

The Alouettes now have a long week of rest a recuperation as the host Saskatechewan next next Saunday evening a Percival Molson Stadium.

Post- Game Alservations: AC tops Darian and Damon

The Montreal Alouettes went into Mosaic Stadium and put the hammer down with a 39-25 road victory over the Roughriders. Here’s this week Alservations:

-Anthony Calvillo throws for 5 TDs for only (yup only) the 3rd time in his career. He ties Damon Allen for the most TD passes in CFL history with 394. Maybe he’ll hit number 400 next week.

-Great game for WR Brian Bratton, the 5 receptions, 76 yards and 2 TDs doesn’t tell the whole story. His key catch set-up Whitaker’s TD and he laid out a great WR block as S Green scored. Plus on more than one occasion Bratton was pass protecting for AC.

-Very rough game for some of the Alouette stars on Saturday. On separate occasions, Jamel Richardson, Mark Estelle, John Bowman, Brandon Whitaker and SJ Green all had to be tended to and helped off the field. Whitaker did not return and according to HerbZ of Alsinsideout has a concussion but hasn’t been ruled out for Friday at home against Toronto.

-But it was great to see Whitaker on the sidelines late in the fourth signally in plays to Dahrren Diedrick.

-Loved Dwight Anderson’s aggressiveness and ability to close the gap on Dressler on numerous occasions.

-Ever wonder why Chip Cox plays special teams when he’s an all-star on defence. Well watching him chase down returner Tristan Jackson, should answer that.

-All the pushing a shoving after the whistles makes me want to skip week three against Toronto and to invite Saskatchewan to town now. The Riders are easily the Als best rivalry in the west.

-After the game Darian Durant said he sees Anthony Calvillo as the greatest QB ever in the CFL. He only ever ‘heard’ of Doug Flutie.

-Speaking of Durant, I thought he looked a lot better than last week. He didn’t turn over the ball and put together a couple of very nice looking drives. He just doesn’t have the arsenal of receivers that he had to play with last season.

-The Riders Coaching staff did not get Wes Cates the ball enough he only had 9 touches overall in the game

-All three of Brandon London’s catches were for first downs

-With 419 passing yards, AC is now only 3490 yards away from passing Allen on the All-time passing yards list.

AC Out, AD In

It comes to no surprise here at MFG that, according to reports, Anthony Calvillo will not play versus the Argos at home on Sunday.
Adrian McPherson will start the game in his stead.

I didn't think AC should have played the second half of the last game, but I guess the competition got to Head Coach Marc Trestman.
The only thing that this affects really is anyone foolish to put money down on a meaningless CFL game or for those in MFG's CFL Pick'em Win'em with the bragging rights on the line.

If you are betting, Just remember the Als haven't lost at home with AC under centre. Their one loss was to BC when Chris Leak got the start.

This news is good news for Als fans.

Eyes on the Prize

The task is simple. Stay healthy, stay sharp.

The Montreal Alouettes have three regular season games remaining, tonight versus Hamilton, then a home and home with Toronto. Montreal will face either of those Teams at home in the East final.

This is a scenerio that the Als have faced the last three seasons under Marc Trestman. Who should play and how much? The Als would like to stay sharp and make sure their offence and defence are both hitting their stride by the end of November. However they'd like to do so with a their A line-up healthy.

The ultimate prize for the Alouettes is to lift the Grey Cup in Alberta for the second straight year, but they would be able to do so without their prized possession, Anthony Calvillo.

This year has ben full of 'scares' with knee, finger and rib issues when it comes to their star Quarterback. I expect Calvillo to play this week and next, alot. But if I were the coach I'd have a protection game plan in place.

-Not one play, none, would have less than six blockers.
-If there is a blitz, ground the ball.
-Hand off the ball 70% of the time.

The Als can lose all three games and as long as AC wasn't touched, you can call that sucessful.

Do I expect that to happen, no I'm not the coach. But it is a suggestion.

Catching up with AC

Had the opportunity to chat with Anthony Calvillo today to see how his injury is progressing.

-As we all know is is targetting the September 11th match-up versus hamilton as his return date.
-He is not playing because he and the doctors do not know what would appen to his ribs/sternum if he gets hit again.
-He has been throwing on the side, however he has yet to really plant and step into a throw.
-Still has an issue when taking deep breathes
-exoects to practice fully on next Tuesday, if he does, expect him to play.
-Anyone that blames Scott flory for his injury, doesnèt understand the Als blocking scheme
-Age has nothing to do wth his injuries this season
-He is excited to see how Chris Leak plays
-He realizes that this is a great opportunity for him to practice and work with the number 1 unit, becaus ehe doesnt get that chance normally.
-expects the team to rally around Leak

the whole interview will be played on The Tieman Show thursday between 1pm-3pm eastern www.team990.com

And here's MFG's updated CFL Pick'em Win'em stats
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Trex Griffin- Snack- (22-10)
Nick Murdocco-Franchise- (21-11)
Joey Alfieri- NHALL Tonight (21-11)
Shaun Starr- Mornings (21-11)
Gary Whitaker-Franchise (20-12)
Mitch Gallo-4 Aces (20-12)
Jack Bedell- ProPlayers (19-13)
Moe Khan- Snack (18-14)
Sean Campbell-Midday (17-15)
Conor McKenna- Playoff Push (17-15)
Crazy Pierre- He's Nuts (17-15)
Cam E2- In front of Press Box (16-16)

Hungry for Home Cooking

The Alouettes offence is ready to go. They are primed for an outburst. They want to score touchdowns.

After scoring 51 points in a double OT loss in week 1, the Als O has dropped down to 33 points in week 2 and then 16 in week 3. But starting on the season on the road for three straight weeks the Als are coming home with a 2-1 record.

The newly renovated Percival Molson Stadium will allow 5000 more fans to witness the leagues top offence unit work. The Alouettes know how to score at home. They havent hosted a regular season football game since November 1st, and they put up 48 points on Winnipeg. If you want to throw in the East Final, The Als embarassed the Lions by scoring 56 at the Big O. Prior to that, The Als put up 41 against Hamilton at home. This was pretty much the story for the Als at Home in 2009.

If you really think about it the last time the Als lost at home was to the Calgary Stampeders in The 2008 Grey Cup on November 23rd, 2008. The last loss at McGill Stadium a month earlier in a meaningless game aginst Winnipeg 24-23.

The Als, simply put, win at home. The Alouettes offence, simply put, score at home.

Offensively through three weeks the numbers aren't great for the players.
-Avon Cobourne is 8th in rushing, he trails a group that includes Win QB Buck Pierce. The only starting RB he's out rushing is the Ti-cats DeAndra Cobb.
-No receiver on the Als have more than 13 receptions.
-Anthony Calvillo only has 6 TD passes this year, 4 came in week 1.

All that being said with the over-under sitting at 52, take the over. The Als will be having some Home-cooking in their opener.

Key Time for MacPherson

The news of Anthony Calvillo staying in Montreal for the Pre-season game in Winnipeg is no surprise to anyone. AC will play his 2 plus quarters at home in a week. The start of course goes to #2 man Adrian MacPherson and this is a key start for him.

The Alouettes are a machine that is designed for AC, there's is no question that MacPherson brings different attributes to the table. I also realize that Coach Trestman has plays designed solely for MacPherson and not AC.

But time is very limited for a back-up to Mr. Calvillo. If he's not injured any playing time MacPherson will get will be at the end of a blow-out, where he'll just be handing the ball off to the 3rd string RB.

For MacPherson to prove himself around the league these pre-season starts are important for him. For MacPherson to be ready in any case of injury the pre-season is the only real competition he'll get. It'll probably be the only time he plays in game (besides post playoff clinching) that the score will be within 20.

Look for him to use his legs, they are an asset, plus he won't have the 'A' receiving crew at hand. So don't just look at the box score when it's over. MacPherson knows his place on the depth chart in Montreal but it doesn't mean he won't be strutting his stuff on Sunday in Winnipeg.