‘Cautious’ Calvillo’s return bumps QB McPherson to Alouettes’ bench.

By Herb Zurkowsky

Postmedia News

MONTREAL — The quarterback responsible for kick-starting the Montreal Alouettes’ season last week, according to head coach Marc Trestman, will return to his customary role as chief understudy. It’s not easy backing up a legend, but Adrian McPherson has become used to it.

“It’s his team,” McPherson said of Anthony Calvillo. “If I was in that situation, I would want it to be the same. I try not to get frustrated.”

The vultures were out at Stade Hebert in St. Leonard, Que., on Tuesday — we counted five camera crews — believing they had stumbled across a story, but it was a ruse. Calvillo, who passes with his right arm, has nothing more than a bruised left shoulder. Yes, it’s sore, but the veteran was able to practice and complete his throws.

Calvillo guaranteed he would play this Thursday, when the Als meet the Calgary Stampeders at Molson Stadium. Everyone who was hoping for that showdown between Kevin Glenn and McPherson must wait. Glenn, the former Hamilton pivot, starts for the injured Drew Tate, who dislocated his shoulder Saturday at Toronto.

However, receiver Jamel Richardson, suffering from irritation in his left knee, left the workout prematurely for the second consecutive day. He would potentially be replaced by rookie Trent Guy, who also returns kicks. That would lead to Bo Bowling being activated to replace Richardson on the roster.

“I feel comfortable and cautious . . . I’ll be fine,” said Calvillo, who passed for 443 yards and three touchdowns against Winnipeg. He briefly left the game in the second quarter, after defensive tackle Brandon Collier landed on Calvillo’s shoulder, but returned for the second half, fuelled by adrenalin.

An MRI on Monday indicated that the rotator cuff is intact, although the bursa sac is slightly swollen and contains fluid, creating some limited mobility and soreness, Calvillo explained. Freezing the shoulder was an option, but Calvillo doesn’t believe it will become necessary.

“I’m always very cautious on the field. I’ve learned to take care of myself and protect the ball,” he said. “That’s not going to change.”

Trestman, of course, said the team wouldn’t be taking any chances with their franchise player if there was a risk of Calvillo sustaining further damage.

“The doctors have clearly stated he can’t hurt himself anymore. It won’t deteriorate or get worse,” Trestman explained. “Does that mean he can’t get hurt again? Gosh forbid.”

McPherson, meanwhile, took plenty of reps with the starting offence on Tuesday and has been told by Calvillo to stay ready.

The fifth-year understudy entered last Friday’s game late in the Als’ opening drive, a 15-play, 97-yard gem, with the ball on the Blue Bombers’ three yard line. Although it required another six plays — aided by a Winnipeg offside — and a third-down gamble, McPherson eventually passed two yards to defensive tackle J.P. Bekasiak for the touchdown.

“Adrian really got the whole thing kick-started. It was a beautiful drive,” Trestman said. “We would have liked to finish it better, with fewer plays along the goal-line. He got us through that moment and got the offence jump-started.

“It would have taken another drive,” Trestman continued. “To be stopped on third down, we would have had to regain our composure and get back into it.”

McPherson realizes how critical the game was at that juncture, albeit only 10 minutes into the quarter. The Bombers had changed their short-yardage defence from what the Als were expecting, McPherson explained, creating more problems than anticipated.

“I’m pleased (Trestman) left me out there. I’m even more pleased he let me throw,” McPherson said. “That was a big down in the game. We gained some confidence from the coaches. You could see, they had stopped us five or six times. You could see they were gaining that confidence. We took a bit of air out of them.”

Although the coaching staff have some specific running plays to take advantage of McPherson’s athleticism, the 6-foot-3, 220 pounder also is making more of a conscious effort to pass first when he enters games. Now, McPherson explained, if the reads aren’t there, he’s more willing to dump the ball off to the back in the flat.

“I want to use my legs to extend plays,” explained McPherson, in the final year of his contract.

Trestman said he’ll continue utilizing McPherson’s unique skills in short-yardage scenarios, knowing he’s a more-capable runner than Calvillo.

“Adrian has unique size and ability. He has turned our short-yardage game into big gains,” Trestman said. “Adrian’s also a passing threat. He can extend a play and make a play. It’s a role Adrian takes seriously. He has been instrumental in our success.”

Montreal Gazette

hzurkowsky(at)montrealgazette.com

Twitter.com/HerbZurkowsky1

PN 7/10/12 20:37:23