They have been one of the most feared teams in the CFL for the past 20 years. In those 20 years, led by quarter-back Anthony Calvillo, the Montreal Alouettes have won three Grey Cups (2002, 2009, and 2010). However, with the CFL season already three weeks old, it seems that Father Time has caught up to the 40-year-old Calvillo. The Alouettes are clearly struggling.
The 2013 CFL Season Thus Far
After four weeks of the season, the East Division is looking slightly odd. The Toronto Argonauts hold down the first place position with a record of 2-2-0. Surprisingly, Hamilton and Winnipeg hold the second and third spots, while Montreal is sputtering at 1-3-0.
In the four games to start the season, the Alouettes have only scored 91 points. This, with an offensive system containing QB Anthony Calvillo, slot-backs S.J. Green and Jamel Richardson, wide-receivers Brandon London and Arland Bruce III, and half-back Brandon Whitaker. You would think this team would have scored 100 points (at least) through 4 games.
Not-so Ageless Wonder
If I told you that Anthony Calvillo ranked sixth in QBs in the CFL, I bet you wouldn’t believe me. Well guess what, it’s real!
Calvillo is clearly struggling. He is only 76/129 in completions, good for a percentage of just under 60% which is poor by his standards.
Anthony Calvillo has been pushed around by opposing defences through the first, 4 games of the CFL season. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
He only has 4 passing touchdowns and his QB passer rating is just a hair above 75. The passer rating measures passing efficiency which takes into account completion percentage, yards, touchdowns, and interceptions.
His passer rating, as well as his completion percentage, have actually gone down the past 5 seasons. Perhaps it’s a poor offensive-line, or perhaps it’s his age. At 40 years of age, not many QB have continued to keep up the high-intensity play needed to play in the CFL.
He may be withering under the wear and tear of the game as well. The past couple of weeks, he has been shown shaking his hand after being sacked or along the sideline.
We may be seeing the beginning of the end of Anthony Calvillo.
Dan Hawkins
With the departure of former head coach, Marc Trestman, the Alouettes went looking for a replacement. Dan Hawkins came knocking.
The former U.S. college coach may not have been the best option for the role.
He had very little knowledge of the 12-man game before coming to Canada. Trestman didn’t have that much knowledge of the Canadian game before coming to Montreal, but he had enough experience working with offensive coordinators and quarter-backs in the NFL. Trestman was extremely successful with the Als, winning 2 Grey Cups in 5 seasons.
Hawkins is clearly struggling as he adjusts to the game. Only when he becomes accustomed to the newer system, the Alouettes will start to roll.
After a week 1 win (shown here), Dan Hawkins and the Alouettes have struggled, losing their last three games. (Photo courtesy of cfl.ca)
Things don’t get any easier for Montreal. After a week 5 meeting with the lowly Edmonton Eskimos, the Alouettes meet the Argos, Roughriders, and the Lions in the next 3 weeks. A losing record in the next 4 games may dampen any Alouette, post-season hopes.
Eh Sport 360 
I guess you could say that there’s lots of football left to be played this season, but I don’t think Montreal or Hawkins will get used to each other in time to do any damage in the playoffs.
I completely agree. I don’t think the Alouettes are the team they should be with Hawkins.