For Alouette's Calvillo, 35 Is the New 30

QUARTERBACK CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY Veteran has keyed tea m's tu rnaro und, reboundin gfro ma slow start to season HERB ZURKOWSKY " • THE GAZETT E 'Pf1/, f/rh"'- .',' On the day of his 35th birthday, Anthony Calvillo said hefelt like a spry 3D·year·old. Give the guy credit for honesty. At least he didn't claim to feeling like he was in his 205, although it could be argued be's playing like be is. HER BZURKOWSKY Following a slow start to the season - much like his team· mates - Calvillo's game is com· ing around. The Alouettes' veter· ontrealgazett•.com an quarterback has passed for THE FOOTBALL BLOG ,824 yards, along with eight touchdowns. He has been inter THAT TELLSIT LIKE IT IS cepted only four times. and has been picked off only once in the lastsix games. told me to enjoy it while it lasts, He has completed 71.6 per cent and that's whatI'm doing." of his passes - highest in the Neither the Als. nor Calvillo, Canadian Football League have produced a 6Q.miuute effort while throwing for 300 yards in on offence, but the quarterback three games, including his last, bas had hismoments. Twice this two weeksago, against Calgary. season, against Winnipeg and "I don't see him (being) 35." said the Stampeders, he has complet· Marcel Bellefeuille, Montreal's of· ed all but five of hls passes. fensive co-ordinator. "His level of Cal lila has been strong in the play is that of a younger man. He first half of game . but has stillhas youthful ualltles. He has lacked some consistency over the fun, is laughing and enjoys the final 30 minutes, allowing teams game. Bellasthat youtbfulnes~ to remain in games hen MOl Ymt see alotof vetslose that" trealshould have buried them. Now m his 14th season, Calvil· While the plays are still being 10 knows the end is likely just called by Bellefeuille, Calvillo over the horizon, making him said there's improved communi· appreciate the moment more. It's ation between the tw . Th easy fo!' him to realize howfortu quarterback is being allowed to nate he has been, when he looks rank the plays that will poten· down the road to Toronto and tially be called when they meet sees Damon Allen, the ageless and institute the game plan. one, injured again after tern· "Since we've limited a lotof the porarily losing h is starting posi· protection on the offensive line, it tion. Or when Calvillo gazes has helped them Ottt mentally," across the country and sees Calvillo explained. "We're taking British Columbia's Dave Dicken· care of the ball and not turning it son conclIssed yetagain. over too often. And we have a bal· "r m trying not to look too far, anced attack. The last few weeks especially at myage," said calvil· we've been consistent." 10, who didn't receive the per· Cahoon agreed with Calvillo, functory pie-in·the·face, as did sa ing the r educed offensive slotback Ben Cahoon last month, package has made iteasier to ap on his 35th birthday. '~ I get old· proach games. Cahoon denied a . r, I really appreciate what I do. smaller package will eventually Th have played somany years is a lead to reducedproduction. blessing. You never know when "There's more of a comfort lev· it'llend, so I'm soaking itall in. el. By redUCing the game plan, "There are guys I played with we've simplifiedthlngs," he said. who no longer are h reo They "It got to the point where here PIERRE OIlENDRAUF TH EGAl£1TE "As I get older, I really appreciate what I do:' Als QB Anthony Calvillo says. "You never know when it'll end:' were too many plays to choose again t which he has 37 touch the end. Whether that commit· from. You can't master 250 differ· downs and only 15 interceptions ment is now or later, it doesn't ent plays. But you can work and in 29 matches. matter. as long as it comes.And I refine your skills off 50 or 60." Calvillo is 't losing sleep over believe it will," CalvillQ said. Calvillo had no extensive or his contract status. He' eligible "When the season's over. we elaborate plans to celebrate 35 to become free agent in Febl have two orthree months to get years on the planet He planned ary. Following brief negotiations it done. I've not thought about on enjoying Mexican fiesta din in May, nofurther talks have tak testing the nl8.rl<et. This is where ner with family, topped ff with en place between Calvillo and I want to end my career." cake and bis favourite, Rocky general manager Jim Popp. Road ice cream. While contem· Cal ilIo historically is loath to hzurkowsky@ plating tomorrow night's game talk contract during tbeseason. thega-zette.canwest.com against Hamilton ·- a te m "Whether we do it now or at Fresh start for Ed_rd., Page (3 .

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