Ready for Argos, despite injuries

His 6-foot-2, 200-pound body isn't chiseled with muscle, and there certainly are more athletic-looking guys than Anthony Calvillo. But never doubt the resilience of the Alouettes quarterback.

Already this season he has recovered from a horrific hit delivered by Hamilton's Joe Montford, returning for the next series of plays.

The veteran pivot also suffered a bruised sternum against Hamilton after getting cracked by Tim Cheatwood and missed the second half of the game, but returned the following week.

Once again, he's attempting to defy the odds.

Despite suffering injuries to his right shoulder and elbow last weekend, Calvillo said he'll face the Toronto Argonauts tonight (7 p.m., TSN, RDS, CJAD Radio-800) at the SkyDome as the Als attempt to halt a two-game losing skid. Even Montreal head coach Don Matthews sounds optimistic when discussing the quarterback's status, although admitting it will be a game-time decision made by the player.

Calvillo hasn't thrown a pass all week at practice. Who knows how the elbow will feel tonight when he warms up? And the offensive game plan has been devised to take advantage of backup quarterback Tavares Bolden's scrambling ability.

"We'll find out (tonight) if I have all my velocity and no discomfort," Calvillo said. "The fact that I haven't thrown won't hurt what I do. Throwing the ball is second nature. Throwing is the easy part."

Calvillo has remained relatively healthy throughout his 10-year career. Indeed, he hasn't missed a game to injury since 1997. He's not surprised when he recovers quickly from hits, admitting he was fully exposed when Cheatwood led with his helmet. And Calvillo doesn't believe his pain tolerance is higher than any other player's.

"I think it goes back to my days in Hamilton, when I was beat up bad and was in the training room daily," he said. "In football, we all tolerate pain. We all deal with bumps and bruises."

Calvillo trains five days a week in the winter and credits Als athletic therapist Scott Suter for getting him through the season. They meet before each game, Suter checking Calvillo's muscles in his lower extremities to ensure they're all firing. Any that aren't are activated with friction from Suter's thumbs.

"His magic has saved my legs," Calvillo said. "I always had hamstring problems before. Without him, I'm sure I would have missed a couple of games."

Bolden, in his second pro season, hasn't started a game since the 2002 season finale against Ottawa. He replaced Calvillo in the fourth quarter last Saturday against B.C., completing 4 of 6 passes for 39 yards. He was intercepted in the final seconds.

"My impression is A.C.'s going to be fine. If he's not, I have to be ready," Bolden said. "It would be great to play and get a chance to get a feel of the game."
Bolden has the greatest mobility of Montreal's quarterbacks. If he starts, he'll call his own plays and would play the entire game, Matthews said. But the lack of experience at the position could be critical.

Matthews said it's 99.9-per-cent certain slotback Ben Cahoon, recovering from a sprained ankle, will play. Cahoon is preparing with that thought in mind and will use extra tape on the ankle. "But I won't force the issue or compromise the team."
The Als have never lost three straight in two seasons under Matthews.

Nonetheless, there's no sense of panic, but a sense of urgency always exists, players say.

The team has suffered from a lack of execution, combined with critical mistakes at costly times. Perhaps it was natural to suffer a letdown after clinching first place in the East Division late last month.

"This team is really emotional and we became complacent," said slotback Kwame Cavil, who returns from arthroscopic knee surgery last month. "I won't provide an athletic or skill boost. But I'm intense and emotional. Hopefully, when you add that emotion, it carries through the team."