For 16 seasons, Montreal Alouettes’ fans had the opportunity to hear, for 455 times (an all-time CFL record); “Calvillo passes… TOUCHDOWN ALOUETTES!” They would listen to that or any other touchdown call by past or present CFL play-by-play commentators, about incredible throws by the future hall of famer, Anthony Calvillo.
On August 17, 2013, in a game vs. the Saskatchewan Roughriders, these same Montreal fans heard a very different phrase from commentator Rod Black; “and look who’s down, Anthony Calvillo just got popped… Worst case scenario for the Alouettes”.
After some failed attempts to return to the game, that very sack by Rickey Foley happened to be Calvillo’s last play in pro football. On January 21, 2014, pro football’s all-time leading passer announced his retirement, at the age of 41.
Since he started playing pro football in 1994, Anthony Calvillo won 3 Grey Cups with the Alouettes (2002, 2009 & 2010) while playing in the “Big Game,” but lost 5 times (2000, 2003, 2005, 2006 & 2008). He finished with 79,816 passing yards, more than any other pro QB, CFL or NFL. He also leads the CFL record books in touchdowns (455) and completions (5892), only behind Brett Favre in football record books at the time of his final game. Peyton Manning did pass him in pro touchdown passes during the 2013 NFL season.
Anthony Calvillo meant a lot to the team, organization, and fan base both on and off the field. Montreal’s second QB since the team’s relocation from Baltimore in 1996, will be hard to replace, almost impossible, but the Alouettes still have depth behind center. So who exactly can Montreal rely on for the start of a new era?
A possible third rank on coach Tom Higgins’ depth chart, is newly signed Alex Brink who started a grand total of seven career games. The Washington State product has a career passing percentage of 56.7%, which is very good considering how little experience he has. His TD-INT radio is exactly 1:1, which is not good enough to start a battle for a top QB job in any level of pro football.
Tanner Marsh, who was one of three quarterbacks who played after Calvillo went down and one of two who remained with the team for this season, played his first CFL game the week following Anthony’s injury. He replaced starting QB Josh Neiswander late in the first quarter in a home game against the B.C Lions. Marsh went 14/32 passing for 329 yards with 1 TD and 4 INT.
However, he was known around the league, during his 15 minutes of fame, for climbing back and winning the game 39-38, from deficits of 15-0, 21-7, 28-14 and 38-27, including a 57-yard pass to Eric Deslauriers with 9 seconds left, to set up a Sean Whyte game winning field goal.
Marsh followed with another convincing win in Toronto, 20-9, going 18/27, 309 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT, but a much less exciting performance, without a doubt. That would also be the last time Tanner Marsh would win a CFL game in 2013, as he started one more, a loss to the Argonauts the following week. He played insignificantly behind Neiswander, with very little playing time.
Troy Smith made his CFL debut against the Roughriders in week 15, throwing 54 yards for his only pass. He was involved in 11 more passing plays the next two weeks against Winnipeg and Edmonton before getting his first start in week 17 against Hamilton.
Smith’s debut game was an absolute clinic for him. 17 passes on 35 attempts for a total of 247 yards and 3 TDs plus 16 rush yards on 3 rushes. In the final two regular season games, as the Als’ only passer in both games, he went 38/67 passing, 537 yards with 5 TD, 3 INT.
The 2006 Heisman winner was obviously the starter for the team’s Eastern Division Semi-final, once again against Hamilton, it would be his 3rd start against the Tiger-Cats in 4 career starts. Smith failed to deliver his inner clutch as the Alouettes lost in windy conditions, 19-16.
Despite a poor performance in the final game of the season, Smith gave the organization a tip of hand to just how great he may just become. Smith can read then run or throw accordingly to the opponents’ defence. He had one of the most powerful arms during his college days at Ohio and he can still throw that long bomb. At 6’0”, 224 lbs, Smith has an intimidating presence on the Canadian field, full of notably physically weaker players compared to NFL, in which he started 8 games and played in 20 for the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers from 2007-2010.
Troy Smith would be the clear-cut choice to head new offensive coordinator Rick Worman’s attack, especially ahead of the other, inconsistent options in Tanner Marsh and Alex Brink. A new set of receivers in Dave Stala and Chad Johnson adding to the already stellar wide outs featuring SJ Green, Jamel Richardson and Duron Carter, should help guide Smith into a great season.
Troy will be asked to fill the shoes of the great Anthony Calvillo and those shoes will be attached to his speedy legs via his quick feet. We know he can run, but can he run away with 3 Grey Cups in his predecessor’s shoes?
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