Rick Moffat
CFL.ca
By the time I got into the Montreal Alouettes’ room following their epic upset at the claws of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the Calvillo Family entourage was already headed down the dank corridors of Olympic Stadium. Only one unlikely player lingered.
I congratulated him on his effort. Five tackles including one stop on his very first play from scrimmage. I asked for his cell number to keep in touch during the offseason. He could barely recite it.
Bear Woods had been cramming so hard for his live-fire exam on the Alouettes defensive schemes, daily details had to be overlooked.
Like the 2011 season, intentions were so good. Details… not so much.
At the start of the season I predicted the Alouettes might be a better team but would have much tougher competition in the East, and CFL overall. The unprecedented NASCAR-style pileup in the standings at the final weekend and dramatic opening round of the playoffs proves me only half right.
The 2011 Alouettes were not a better team, but they may have been better survivors.
Defensive injuries that would have decimated any other team did not prevent the Als from hitting double-digits in wins. Billy Parker denies he was running a day-care centre in the secondary, but they may as well have been serving pedialyte in meetings.
Jeff Hecht, Marc-Olivier Brouillette, Paul Woldu, Greg Laybourn, Seth Williams and De’Audra Dix had about as many career starts as Parker combined (himself in only his third CFL season).
Injuries to special teams hitters plagued the coverage units all season and they ran out of gas in the high octane playoff. The offensive swings back and forth may have strained more necks than a Grand Slam tennis event, but the Als surrendered 167 return yards in the second half of the Eastern Semi-Final after allowing only 56 in the first half.
Nor did the 2011 Als ever settle their own return game, the desperation so apparent four different players were featured in the final four weeks. Perry Floyd, Rashaud Slaughter, Bo Bowling and Tim Maypray the Sequel. No job lock there.
Resulting ratio issues also played a factor in the juggle along the Als’ D-line. Once feared, Montreal was only middle-of-the-pack in sacks, pressuring QBs into only 13 interceptions (seventh overall).
“The coaches must have had the right guys on the field… look at the outcome these last few games,” Jermaine McElveen said with acid tongue planted firmly in cheek. “I’m still mad about what happened. I feel if I had played a lot of things would have been different out there. I’m so disappointed, man.”
“All I did was win when I was in. I shoulda been in. It was a coach’s decision but… that’s what happens. My heart was with the Als but I feel like they turned their back on me.”
Jamel Richardson interrupts our discussion: “We need ‘Mac’ back, we need [McElveen] out there, we missed him out there and we definitely going to lobby to get him back out there.”
“I wanna be back with my guys, I still love’em,” McElveen says, having already deflated his free agency value with only one sack (in July) before being benched for nine games including post-season.
Anwar Stewart also wants more playing time and a new deal. He’ll be 36 before getting a ring for the third straight spring—a wedding ring by the time 2012 season kicks off—and makes no secret his preference is one more year in Montreal.
Stewart was in the sideline leash replaced by Chima Ihekwoaba on the very play Thigpen burned the Als for a 50-yard touchdown run for their first lead in the Semi-Final. Moton Hopkins was in at tackle. Only 23 and 24, the “young pups” have the brightest potentials of any Alouettes along the D-line according to some in the organization. But potential doesn’t win you games unless it is potent now.
While Calvillo considers life after football (he’ll meet with owner Robert Wetenhall within two weeks to talk about a role with the organization in youth development and coaching) he has already signalled willingness for job-sharing with Adrian McPherson.
“I would love that,” says McPherson. “I’ve waited and that would be great for me. A chance to grow as a quarterback and continue to learn from a great quarterback. I’m gonna take one week off then get back in the lab and start working on being a better quarterback.”
For workaholics like Anthony Calvillo the thought of retirement can be as frightening as it is tempting. Logic says the proud husband and father of two doesn’t need any more shots to the head.
But football is logic fuelled by emotion.
“I have a hunger for one more championship,” admits AC.
Defences all around the league will be sorry to hear that. They’ll be the first to send congratulations if he makes a surprise announcement, but Calvillo’s teammates are almost unanimous in expecting him back.
The rest of Canada may be cheering the dramatic crash-landing of the Alouette Dynasty. But the pilot, co-pilot and ground control – the power trio of Popp, Trestman and Calvillo – may enjoy 2012 flying under the radar.
