Perry Lefko

Perry Lefko keeps you connected to all the news in the CFL on Sportsnet.ca.

When Montreal Alouettes’ quarterback Anthony Calvillo suffered an injury in the team’s game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday, immediately there was a growing concern.

And it only worsened, when he tried to walk off the field and suddenly dropped to one knee.

No one knew the exact nature of the injury – although a tip of the helmet to football broadcaster Matt Dunigan, a former quarterback, who speculated that it might be related to the sternum – nor how long Calvillo would be sidelined.

Calvillo hasn’t suffered two many injuries since becoming a full-time starter and the Als’ haven’t fared well without him in games, in which he didn’t play from the beginning to the end.

That’s why the Als’ domination will be diminished, if he is sidelined for any length of time.

But in the case of Calvillo, any significant injuries have to be looked at in a much bigger perspective. Calvillo, who turned 38 today, is the premier offensive player in the league. He was voted the Most Outstanding Player the last two years and he is also on pace to become professional football’s all-time leading passer with 72,381 yards.

He entered this season, needing less than 9,000 yards, which based on recent seasons in which he played all 18 regular-season games, is something he could accomplish in two full seasons.

Calvillo is a staple of the game that is almost taken for granted, which is why any time he suffers an injury, it is significant news.

It’s hard to imagine the Alouettes without Calvillo, but it’s even harder to imagine the Canadian Football League without him

THE ESKIMOS MOVE: The Eskimos made some moves to reshape their coaching staff, some of the moves planned and at least one other unexpected.

The resignation of Eskimo legend Dan Kepley, who coached the linebackers, caught head coach Richie Hall by surprise. But it was interesting to note that Kepley had been uneasy and unhappy since general manager Danny Maciocia was fired July 31.

The two joined the Eskimos in 2002 and were tight. When the Eskimos hired Richie Hall from Saskatchewan to replace Maciocia, after he gave up coaching to manage the team, Kepley was kept on staff.

This was more of a hybrid staff, than strictly one put together by Hall. But now Hall is putting together his own staff, albeit on the fly.

The hiring of onetime Eskimo centre Tim Prinsen, as the replacement for the fired Jeff Bleamer and well-travelled position coach Mark Nelson, as linebackers coach to replace Kepley, now gives Hall some of his own guys.

Just one thought on all of that: If Kepley’s resignation was a surprise, how was it that the Eskimos had a replacement in Nelson lined up right away?

Clearly the move to hire Prinsen was planned.

Kepley has not given any interviews since his resignation and it would be interesting to know, what he thought about all of this.

Isn’t it interesting that middle linebacker Maurice Lloyd, a free agent whom Hall brought with him from Saskatchewan, has been fingered as poison on the team?

He was coached by Kepley, so does that mean the two did not get along? Did Kepley want the team to dump Lloyd?

The Eskimos lost a quality linebacker in Mark Restelli, with a knee problem in the second game of the season.

The Eskimos have made some personnel moves during the bye week, including dumping offensive lineman Joe McGrath, who was picked up by B.C.

It will be interesting to see how they respond this Saturday in Edmonton.

Ricky Ray was injured early in the last game and was followed by the Eskimos’ other two quarterbacks, Jason Maas and Jared Zabransky. Some people think Zabransky should be starting, but it says here he should be promoted full-time to number two.

Ricky Ray is too good of a quarterback for the Eskimos not to be doing better, and that as much as anything is a big part of the Eskimos’ woes.

Dumping Rick Worman last year, when the team had a winning record was a huge mistake. Whether it was influenced by Maciocia to bring in his old buddy Kevin Strasser – and the rumble is it was – Ray’s performance has not been the same since the switch.

THE TILLMAN WATCH: It’s interesting, that my mentioning of the Eskimos should consider hiring Eric Tillman as general manager, created such a wide swath of debate.

While some people agreed that it’s a good idea, others suggested Tillman’s offence involving the sexual assault of a teen, is something that makes a poor choice.

Despite the court ruling it a summary assault, comparable to a misdemeanour in the U.S. and support for Tillman by the victim’s family, it appears the court of public opinion is still divided.

It seems now, that the Eskimos will wait until after the season before making a move. If the team continues to struggle and doesn’t make the playoffs, it will lead to a variety of moves.

RETURNING KICKOFFS: The Argos made a significant fumble returning a kickoff off, off of a missed field goal against Hamilton. It led to a fumble and a subsequent touchdown by Hamilton.

It’s interesting that Hamilton took the ball at the 35-yard line, after the Argo field goals, preferring to start at the guaranteed 35-yard line. More often that not kickoffs after field goals, never make it to the 35-yard line because of penalties or downfield coverage.

In this case, the Argos gambled on their routine team and were victimized by a missed block and a fumble.

CAHOON’S TOUGHNESS: It never ceases to amaze, how tough Als’ receiver Ben Cahoon is. Against the Bombers, Cahoon was plastered by Bombers’ defensive end Odell Willis trying to get to Calvillo.

THIS AND THAT: Why was Bombers’ receiver Adarius Bowman smiling after each of his dropped passes that could have been touchdowns?...Als backup quarterback Chris Leak was full of enthusiasm, after making some plays and then in the same series was intercepted…Argo head coach Jim Barker found out the hard way, that you can’t challenge the spotting of a ball by the officials on third down, not second. At least he had the "balls" to admit he goofed.

That play led to a variety of mistakes from which the Argos couldn’t recover…How good would the Ticats be, if they threw to Dave Stala on each second-down play? The guy is quickly becoming like Darren Flutie and players of that ilk.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Offence: Brandon Whitaker, Montreal running back: 118 total yards, two touchdowns. Runnerup: Fred Reid, Winnipeg running back: 129 total yards. Defence: Chip Cox, Montreal linebacker: Nine tackles, one sack, one knockdown, one touchdown on a fumble recovery. Runnerup; Clint Kent, Winnipeg defensive back, 11 tackles: Special teams: Jovan Johnson, Winnipeg returner: Six punt returns, one touchdown, 105 yards. Eric Wilbur, Hamilton punter: six punts, 191 yards, and one special teams tackle (which may have saved a touchdown).