AC is back!

[ro1313]

http://en.montrealalouettes.com/article ... d-business

MontrealAlouettes.com

MONTREAL - Both his teammates and Alouettes fans everywhere can now breathe a little easier: Anthony Calvillo will be back to lead the way in 2012.

He definitely had people nervous for a while, but the Als quarterback wasn't quite ready to swap his cleats for a pair of sock-filled Birkenstocks, after all. After taking a few weeks to reflect following his team's early playoff exit, Calvillo decided give it another shot next season.

"After this season, losing in the Eastern Semi-final was devastating because none of us expected that. In my mind I just wanted to make sure I was committed 100 percent to coming back," explained the 39-year-old. " This was the first year in a long while that we hadn't made it to the Grey Cup, so I found myself wondering if I was going to continue to play. To be honest, there was just a day or two there where I thought about whether I shouldn't play, that's why I waited a couple of weeks to make sure I was fully committed."

Of the many things that factored into his decision to return for a 15th season with the Als, what tipped the scales was nothing new to Calvillo.

"For me it's all about the championships. That's the one thing I want to add to my record. That's what I think about," admitted Calvillo in an exclusive interview with MontrealAlouettes.com. "There's no better feeling in the world. That's what will continue to drive me."

In limbo just as Alouettes supporters have been while Calvillo contemplated his future, his teammates couldn't be faulted for doing all they could in efforts to lure the No. 13 back for another season. The question is: were lavish gifts on the menu?

"No, not really," he laughed. "I just got recommendations to come back and get another chance at a championship.

"When I last saw the guys, we all reflected on what we could've and should've done but we knew deep down that we all wanted to keep playing together," he continued. "Obviously, I wasn't sure if I was even coming back at that point. The guys in the lockerroom felt pretty strongly that I was going to be back, though."

With the elephant in the room finally being addressed and Calvillo officially being back for another CFL campaign, the veteran pivot is already hard at work in preparation for 2012.

"I've already sat down with my personal trainer to go over my nutrition and my workouts," revealed Calvillo. "The funny thing is, I usually don't start training in December. By winning Grey Cups the way we have, the season would end in late November and then I would take some time off. This year, I'll be training three weeks sooner."

Dedicated as ever to his craft and already counting the days until training camp, Calvillo knows why it wasn't time for him to walk away from the game quite yet.

"Well, I'm still just a 39-year-old kid playing football," shrugged Calvillo. "I'm in that lockerroom and having fun with the guys and then stepping on the field and leading them. For me, if it's not fun I'll definitely stop playing, but right now I'm still enjoying it. As Iong as I'm still doing that, I'm going to continue playing.

"Plus my wife is ready to kick me out of the house already," he smiled. "She usually needs about three weeks after the season before she's ready to have me out of the house

[sectionu2]

"Plus my wife is ready to kick me out of the house already," he smiled. "She usually needs about three weeks after the season before she's ready to have me out of the house

[XGamer]

(starting throwing rocks at me)

As much as I like AC, I hope 2012 will be his last season & he prepares McPherson or a suitable backup.

If we check their contract;

Calvillo & McPherson will be in their option year, which means they can become FA in feb 2013.

Trestman contracts ends Dec 2012 with the team....unless the team pulls another one like in 2009 where they had already signed him to a new contract & only mentioned it after the season..

I sincerely hope AC grooms Mac5 like Ham did with him....and in 2013 AC will be QB coach or some kind of assistant to OC.


My thought on this, sometimes players want to play that 1 more game that they shouldn't play...and I hope this will not be the case for our Hall of Famer !

(end of throwing rocks at me)

[cliffyd]

I sincerely hope AC grooms Mac5 like Ham did with him....and in 2013 AC will be QB coach or some kind of assistant to OC.

This has to happen. No two ways about it. Any deviation from this plan will set the team back. AC's my guy and always will be, but doing this will be the last great thing he can do for this franchise. As a player, he has NOTHING to prove to anyone.

But for him to mentor Mac5, make him the man in MTL and then retire to help as a coach to this franchise after helping it win it's 8th Grey Cup, I couldn't envision a better way to cement the man's legacy.

Already the haters are crying Brett Favre...let 'em. Last time I checked, Calvillo didn't embarrass himself on the field. Last time I checked, he didn't hem & haw about returning, forcing Trestman et al to send a convoy to beg for his return.

And finally... last time I checked, no female Alouettes staffers have come forward saying AC texted a picture of his junk to them.

Also when it comes to schlepping cool clothes, Ecko > Wrangler

[sectionu2]

Meh if not AM then someone else, i prefer at top performance than a AM substandard.

[ro1313]

More mixed feelings for me.
I want AC back because. Its a question of win now or win later AC gives us the best chance of winning now

However I'm not sure if winning another GC is worth years of losing.

I'm guess I'm hoping for a platoon system between AC and AD. Its a bit of a compromise between the present and the future

[sectionu2]

Look you have a choice between steak or mac and cheese, and people are clamoring for mac and cheese, i say give me my steak

[bins]

(starting throwing rocks at me)

As much as I like AC, I hope 2012 will be his last season & he prepares McPherson or a suitable backup.

I like AC also, but I find it hard to choose if it's better to have a very mature/solid quarterback at the end of his career... or an energetic, young qb that will make mistakes...

My big hesitation comes from the current backup plan... is McPherson the true succession plan for the ALS? Does he have the potential and the skills of a Travis Lulay per say? I saw him on a few drives this year, and I realize he doesn't get to play much, but I was disappointed...

Don't know... what do you guys think? Do you think he has potential to eventually win a Grey Cup?

[West Coast Als Fan]

Well that's the $64 question, isn't it? If Mac5 really is the QB of the future then fine. But if he isnt then Popp should make an offer to Henry Burris. That will buy us a few more competitive years while we look for the real QB of the future.

[sectionu2]

No Burris, we cannot carry 2 salary of that kind, Burris is not young also.

[ro1313]

Agreed
Burris will be 37 next season

[Jonnys]

Moi je suis content de son retour...Et confiance que Mcphersson va attendre encore car ca chance s en vient et moi confiance en lui...Il court bien,capable de bien passer malgré qu on la pas vue beaucoup.Calvillo a meme dit que revenir pour le préparer serait dans ses plans aussi.Ils ne sont pas fou les Als savent qu ils doivent penser a la releve maintenant.Je doute fort que Burris s amene unjour ici mais pourquoi pas Durant!Les Riders liquident souvent leur QB apres des mauvaises années et meme apres des bonnes(Joseph en 2008)puis je sais qu il a un tres bon respect envres l organisation des Als...Mon Dieu l hiver va etre long,loll.....Content qu AC s est décidé vite car les Argoes lui auraient surment offert des Lunes pour l avoir un an!!!!