Als’ second straight loss leaves Blue in first

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/07/2011 (5186 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

HAMILTON — Montreal Alouettes fans and followers aren’t used to this. Admittedly, they have been spoiled over the years, with successive Grey Cup championships and three straight appearances in the CFL’s championship game.

They’re not used to a lack of cohesion on offence. They’re not used to drives stalling. They’re not used to fumbles and turnovers — of legendary quarterback Anthony Calvillo overthrowing receivers or passing behind them. They’re not used to defensive breakdowns game after game. They’re not used to kick returners handling the ball like it’s a grenade. They’re not used to time-count violations, two-and-out drives. And they’re not used to undisciplined play and stupid penalties.

Is this all an aberration or, following the Als’ second consecutive loss this week — this one 36-24 to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday night at Ivor Wynne Stadium — are the cracks and weaknesses beginning to show?

“We’ve got to take advantage… and remind people we are Montreal and are going to score points,” Calvillo said. “If we don’t, it’s going to be a long, tough season. We’ve all been spoiled. We found our way to beat teams. People are taking things for granted, because we won.

“We’re going to find out the team we’re going to be in the next couple of weeks,” he added. “We’ve got to cut our mental mistakes.”

Calvillo returned from the blurred vision in his right eye and passed for 356 yards against the Tiger-Cats, completing 23 of 45 passes, but he threw for only one touchdown and the Als were held to two overall — the latter late in the fourth quarter and proving nothing more than window-dressing.

Four field goals won’t cut it against most teams — the Ticats being one.

The Als had the ball at the Hamilton 13 in the second quarter and settled for a field goal. They moved to the Ticats’ 10 in the third quarter and settled for a field goal. Playing on a short field in the first quarter, thanks to the wind advantage, the Als on three occasions went two-and-out, failing to generate a first down.

At one point, Calvillo missed seven consecutive throws. He took two time-count penalties and once fumbled the snap.

“Our effort’s not the issue,” Calvillo maintained. “But we didn’t win the contested balls. They were in front or behind by a couple of inches. We’ve got to get better.”

S.J. Green led all receivers, making eight catches for 150 yards, but he fumbled once, resulting in a short touchdown pass to Dave Stala.