By Jack B. Bedell
MontrealAlouettes.com
Week 18: Toronto Argonauts
Coming off a 40-3 shellacking at the hands of the Hamilton Ticats last week – one of the most difficult games in recent memory – the Montreal Alouettes head into week 18 desperately needing to establish some authority in all facets of the game.
Given the opportunity to close out the 2010 season with back-to-back tilts against their East Division rivals the Toronto Argonauts, the Als have a perfect chance to build consistency and productivity on offence, defence, and special teams against a quality, playoff-bound opponent before taking their bye week.
For the Als, there’s no better way to begin building that consistency and productivity than by placing the ball squarely in the hands of team leader Anthony Calvillo. Calvillo’s ability to control games by piling up yards and points is second to none in the CFL. And his success is the very catalyst the team needs moving into the post-season.
In two previous tilts against the Argonauts this season, Calvillo has posted near-perfect numbers, completing 67 of 85 passes for 844 yards and five majors. That 79% completion rate and gaudy yards-per-attempt average translated into time of possession and field position advantages in both games.
Heading into week 18, the Argos’ defence has surrendered the most passes attempted (513), the most passes completed (352), and the highest completion percentage (68.6).
Due in large part to the team posting the CFL’s second-fewest QB sacks (27), the Argos secondary has given up the second-highest net passing total in the league (4138 yards) for the second-highest yards-per-game total (295.6).
While Toronto’s secondary features some of the league’s most accomplished playmakers in Byron Parker, Willie Middlebrooks, Lin-J Shell, and Willie Pile, that talent has not translated into the Argos’ ability to shut down passing attacks. In fact, the Argonauts have given up a league-high 189 first downs through the air this season.
When the Alouettes face the Argos in the Rogers Centre this Friday, the onus for tilting the field in Montreal’s direction will be squarely on Calvillo and his ability to distribute the ball quickly and efficiently to the Als’ pantheon of weapons—Jamel Richardson, Ben Cahoon, S.J. Green, Brian Bratton, Avon Cobourne, Andrew Hawkins, et al.
More than just moving the team up and down the field, it’ll be incumbent upon Calvillo to finish drives with points to get out in front of Toronto early. It almost goes without saying that every aspect of Montreal’s game flourishes when A.C. is on point. And it’s crucial for the Alouettes’ passing game to fire on all cylinders this weekend from their first possession on.
So far this year, the Alouettes have won every game in which they’ve put the first points on the scoreboard. This Friday should be no exception to that trend. If Calvillo can rev up his game from the Als’ opening drive, the entire team will no doubt follow suit. And the result will be some much-needed momentum heading into November.
The Alouettes will face the Toronto Argonauts at the Rogers Centre on Friday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. (RDSHD, TSNHD, NRJ, CJAD 800).
