Its not fair to ask Troy Smith to become the next Anthony Calvillo. Its barely fair to ask a Ricky Ray or Travis Lulay - veteran pivots with Grey Cups and Most Outstanding Player awards to their name - to assume the role of face of the league and greatest active player. So its really not fair for a quarterback with four career starts in the CFL under his belt - albeit promising ones - to be put under that spotlight. But, as the de facto replacement for Calvillo in Montreal, fairly or not that could be the measuring stick for Smith. A more realistic expectation, and one Smith has a shot at living up to, is a solid quarterback that gives the team a chance to win week in and week out. After relieving Josh Neiswander (no longer with the team) midway through a late season game, Smith never looked back in guiding the Alouettes into the playoffs and briefly flirting with second place in the division and a home playoff date. His numbers in his short stint as starter were encouraging. While his completion percentage was just a shade over 50 percent, he threw nine touchdowns to just five interceptions and averaged nearly 300 passing yards per contest. And while his stat line from Montreals lone playoff game (14-26, 142 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) was far from impressive, the poise and leadership he displayed - factoring in nerves, inexperience, and all the rhetoric attached to a rookie making his first postseason appearance - was heartening for Alouettes fans. But that composure really isnt all that surprising for a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback with tangible NFL experience. Following a strong four-year career at Ohio State, two years as a starter, Smith was awarded the 2007 Heisman Trophy and then embarked on a four-year NFL career, finishing with 1,734 passing yards and 11 combined touchdowns. If youre apt to use the term pedigree to predict future success, a quarterback like Smith would surely fit the bill. And now for the best news of all in relations to Smiths chances of succeeding as a CFL quarterback: Montreals stacked receiving corps. Injuries to Jamel Richardson, proven long ago to be a bona fide stud receiver, opened the door for S.J. Green to elevate his status from very good to great last season; while Duron Carter demonstrated hes very much Pro Football Hall of Famer Chris Carters son in his CFL debut season. Health permitting, Smith will be throwing to receivers with a combined eight 1,000 yard receiving seasons, and four double-digit touchdowns seasons. And Carter almost added to that total in just 12 games last year (enjoy him while you can; the 23-year-old will be making plays in the NFL next season). With those three thoroughbreds in tow, former NFL star and notorious headline stealer Chad Johnson should be battling for fourth on the import receiving depth chart at best. Its of course hard to predict how Smith will do this season and in future years, other than to say hell be hard-pressed to make Als fans forget Calvillo anytime soon. There have been several quarterbacks of the future the past number of seasons in the CFL, few of them (less than nine!) have panned out. But Smith has everything youd seem to want to at least take your shot with him. And thats likely what the Alouettes will do. Notes Calvillo Retires 2013 marked the end of an era as Anthony Calvillo, perhaps the greatest CFL quarterback of all time, retired after 20 seasons. The majority of Calvillos career was spent in Montreal, as were the majority of his 79,816 career passing yards (a professional record) and his 455 career touchdown passes (a CFL record). Calvillo also won three Grey Cups and three Most Outstanding Player awards with the Alouettes. Expansion Draft The Alouettes lost three young players to the Ottawa Redblacks in Decembers expansion draft, none more valuable than versatile FB Patrick Lavoie, who was making a name for himself in the two years he spent with Montreal. The Als also lost DT Moton Hopkins and LB Jordan Verdone. Free Agency Montreal was once again quiet on the free agent market, deciding against bidding on any of the top names available. Free agency will be known more for when the team lost some talent, highlighted by LB Shea Emrys departure to Toronto, but GM Jim Popp did make sure to lock up some important pieces, highlighted by the re-signing of LT Josh Bourke. Return man Larry Taylor was also traded for during this period. Higgins Hired Up until Tom Higgins was hired to coach the team, it was unknown if Montreal would hire a coach or just let Popp continue on in the interim role. The Higgins hiring was strange also because GM Popp appeared to not be a part of the interviewing process for Higgins. Quatre-Vingt Cinq Despite an already solid receiving corps, the Alouettes added some more sizzle by signing former NFLer/headline-maker Chad Johnson to a contract in April. The transaction may be as much a publicity stunt as it is a solid football move but Johnson showed up to Montreal in good shape, in high spirits, and looking like he still has some football left to play. Offensive Line Losses Montreal lost two mainstays of their offensive line in the off-season when Andrew Woodruff and Scott Flory announced their retirements. CFL Draft The team helped to replenish their offensive line in the first round of the draft by selecting David Foucault from Montreal. The rest of the draft saw Montreal select Queens DB Andrew Lue 10th overall, Guelph DL Jeffrey Finley 22nd overall, York DL James Tuck 31st overall, Manitoba WR Andrew Smith 35th overall, Manitoba K/P Nick Boyd 43rd overall, Sherbrooke FB Jean-Christophe Beaulieu 49th overall, and Calgary WR Mackenzie Sarro 58th overall. Nike Air Max 90 Rood Dames . TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT DETROIT LIONS, 1:00 PM (ET) Tampa Bay - None Detroit - G Rodney Austin, WR Ryan Broyles, DT Nick Fairley, QB Kellen Moore, DT Caraun Reid, G Garrett Reynolds, DE Larry Webster NEW YORK JETS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS, 1:00 PM (ET) NY Jets - TE Jace Amaro, G Dakota Dozier, OL Wesley Johnson, WR Walter Powell, QB Matt Simms, CB Josh Thomas, DL Muhammad Wilkerson Minnesota - LB Anthony Barr, DE Scott Crichton, FB Zach Line, CB Jabari Price, LB Brandon Watts, OT JMarcus Webb, G David Yankey ST. Nike Air Max 90 Blauw .ca presents the first of our five part season preview, taking a look at the American based teams in the Eastern Conference. Chicago Fire It was a tough 2013 for the Toyota Park faithful, as the Fire followed-up their first playoff season in three years with their lowest-ever finish in 15 MLS seasons. http://www.goedkopenikesneakers.nl/canada-goose-parka-heren.html . Gray, clearly the best pitcher on this night in a matchup against Rangers ace Yu Darvish, wanted to finish what he started. "I normally talk to him, share a laugh, make something up," Gray said. Nike Air Max 90 Wit . The Norwegian star closed with a 3-under 69 for a five-stroke victory over Solheim Cup teammate Azahara Munoz. Pettersen finished at 9-under 279 and earned $300,000 for her 14th LPGA Tour title. Nike Air Max 90 Awart Wit . Just like that, a four-game losing streak and a forgettable weekend were washed away. Brantley homered with two outs in the 10th inning off Al Alburquerque, giving the Cleveland Indians a 5-4 win over the drowsy Detroit Tigers on Monday night.PARIS -- Paris Saint-Germain dug deep to come back from two goals down and draw 2-2 at Saint-Etienne on Sunday, extending its unbeaten record to 30 games and staying ahead of Monaco on goal difference at the top of the French league. After Edinson Cavani had pulled a goal back for PSG, midfielder Blaise Matuidi scored a fortuitous goal deep into injury time as PSG took advantage of playing with an extra man for most of the second half after Saint-Etienne midfielder Fabien Lemoine was sent off. "It was a difficult night for us, it was an intense game," PSG coach Laurent Blanc said. "Saint-Etienne are really good at home and they dont let you breathe." Saint-Etienne rocked PSG as it played without fear and took the game to Blancs side. Last season, Saint-Etienne won away to PSG, drew at home and knocked PSG out of the League Cup quarterfinals, and it looked in complete control after goals from wingers Benjamin Corgnet and Romain Hamouma. "I think we were too average to get the three points and Saint-Etienne deserved at least a point," Blanc said. But after Lemoines red card in the 58th minute, Cavani turned in Maxwells cross from the left 10 minutes later for his seventh goal of the season and then Matuidis lofted pass beat goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier after bouncing in front of him with Cavani almost getting the final touch. "I am proud of my players, but I feel disappointed for them because we gave everything and we caved in with a player less," Saint-Etienne coach Christophe Galtier said. "Its a shame, but the crowd can be proud of them." Earlier, Monaco beat Lyon 2-1 thanks to Radamel Falcaos eighth goal of the season and Mounir Obbadis first. PSG spent most of the first half on the back foot as Corgnet went close with a shot from 25 metres and then scored in the 18th minute following a bad error from PSG centre half Marquinhos. The Brazilian was far too casual as he cleared the ball and hit it straight to Hamouma. He then teed up Corgnet just inside the penalty area and his first-time shot flew past PSG goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu and into the top right corner. Brazilian striker Brandao went close to doubling Saint-Etiennes lead but dragged his shot just wide of the post in the 29th, and midfielder Loic Perrin headed wide from a corner for a dominant home side.dddddddddddd The second goal came in the 51st when Sirigu came out to claim a cross and fumbled the ball as centre half Alex jumped up at the same time as him. The loose ball fell to Marquinhos, but his terrible clearance bounced off Thiago Mottas leg and fell to Hamouma, who clipped it into the net. "If you dont play well against teams like this youre in trouble and thats what happened," Blanc said. "We made two huge errors in defence and we were punished." PSG was thrown a lifeline when Lemoine got a second yellow card for a foul on Ezequiel Lavezzi. Lemoine, with blood pouring from his face following the challenge, had to be restrained and then dragged away by Saint-Etiennes staff as he furiously contested the decision. "We deserved the win, but we have to keep this attitude if we want to do well this season," Hamouma said. "The red card changed everything." It became increasingly hard for Saint-Etienne to hold out and Cavanis goal set up a frantic finale. "We showed that we have character and heart and were still unbeaten," Matuidi said. "But we came up against a great Saint-Etienne side and a great crowd. We lost games like this last season but this time we came back to 2-2." Earlier, Obbadi gave Monaco the lead with a powerful half-volley into the top right corner. Falcao added a another goal in the first half with a clinical finish before striker Bafetimbi Gomis pulled a goal back for Lyon after the break. Falcao had not scored in his previous three league games but put an end to his mini-slump in fine style. A long pass from defence deflected off the back of midfielder Joao Moutinho and fell to Falcao. He sprinted into the penalty area down the right, beat the left back for pace and expertly chipped the ball over Lopes as he charged off his line. "Falcao works hard for the team, he closes down, he holds the ball up," Monaco coach Claudio Ranieri said. "Everyone should try and play for him more." Also, Cheick Dibate and Ludovic Obraniak scored late goals as Bordeaux beat 10-man Montpellier 2-0. wholesale jerseys authentic wholesale jerseys store cheap jerseys Cheap Jerseys china wholesale jerseys ' ' '
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