Post by MGB01 on Apr 22, 2006 20:20:37 GMT -5
How the landscape has changed in a year.
The Kansas City Monarchs signed Anthony Calvillo, just off playing in a Grey Cup with the Montreal Alouettes, to be their quarterback two years ago. Calvillo threw 23 touchdowns and for over 3000 yards in his Monarchs debut, and last year completed over 63 percent of his passes. But one thing was missing, the wins. So the Monarchs gave Robert Kent a couple of starts at end of last season, with Kent having a 407-yard game among his outings.
Kent and Calvillo are expected to split time in the preseason.
With the Monarchs beginning training camp this weekend, Calvillo yesterday fervently supported the move.
"I'm not upset or hurt. This is helping our team out," he said. "Down the road, they're going to have to find somebody to replace me. I feel I've established myself and have the confidence of the organization. It doesn't matter who they've signed, I'm going in expecting to play.
"I just look at it as we're trying to get better. You need two established quarterbacks with experience. If I'm hurt, you need another guy to step in."
It would be mind-boggling at this stage were the Monarchs even remotely considering a change at quarterback. Especially with number one pick LenDale White slated to miss most of the preseason with a hamstring tear
Although he'll turn 34 in August, Calvillo shows no signs of age or deterioration. He'll never have great mobility, but he has thrown for nearly 6000 yards since joining the Monarchs and starred for 10 years in the CFL prior to that.
Calvillo, also a former most outstanding player in the CFL, played in two Grey Cups before coming to Kansas City. However, Calvillo has been compared to his ex-CFL counterpart Ricky Ray, who Calvillo played against in the Grey Cup before coming down south. Ray signed with the Chicago Enforcers and led them to an X-Bowl in 2004 and back to the playoffs last year.
"Statistically, he's been right there" explained Monarchs' owner/GM Sean Calliard, "I think though you can't really fully compare them because we've been on the opposite end of the spectrum from Chicago talent-wise"
Whoever is the Monarchs starter this year will have White, sure to be an upgrade on Rashaan Shehee (2005) and Arlen Harris (2004).
"I'm confident and I'm established," Calvillo said. "I feel confident in what I do, but I'm not going to play forever. You're always one play away from getting hurt."
The Kansas City Monarchs signed Anthony Calvillo, just off playing in a Grey Cup with the Montreal Alouettes, to be their quarterback two years ago. Calvillo threw 23 touchdowns and for over 3000 yards in his Monarchs debut, and last year completed over 63 percent of his passes. But one thing was missing, the wins. So the Monarchs gave Robert Kent a couple of starts at end of last season, with Kent having a 407-yard game among his outings.
Kent and Calvillo are expected to split time in the preseason.
With the Monarchs beginning training camp this weekend, Calvillo yesterday fervently supported the move.
"I'm not upset or hurt. This is helping our team out," he said. "Down the road, they're going to have to find somebody to replace me. I feel I've established myself and have the confidence of the organization. It doesn't matter who they've signed, I'm going in expecting to play.
"I just look at it as we're trying to get better. You need two established quarterbacks with experience. If I'm hurt, you need another guy to step in."
It would be mind-boggling at this stage were the Monarchs even remotely considering a change at quarterback. Especially with number one pick LenDale White slated to miss most of the preseason with a hamstring tear
Although he'll turn 34 in August, Calvillo shows no signs of age or deterioration. He'll never have great mobility, but he has thrown for nearly 6000 yards since joining the Monarchs and starred for 10 years in the CFL prior to that.
Calvillo, also a former most outstanding player in the CFL, played in two Grey Cups before coming to Kansas City. However, Calvillo has been compared to his ex-CFL counterpart Ricky Ray, who Calvillo played against in the Grey Cup before coming down south. Ray signed with the Chicago Enforcers and led them to an X-Bowl in 2004 and back to the playoffs last year.
"Statistically, he's been right there" explained Monarchs' owner/GM Sean Calliard, "I think though you can't really fully compare them because we've been on the opposite end of the spectrum from Chicago talent-wise"
Whoever is the Monarchs starter this year will have White, sure to be an upgrade on Rashaan Shehee (2005) and Arlen Harris (2004).
"I'm confident and I'm established," Calvillo said. "I feel confident in what I do, but I'm not going to play forever. You're always one play away from getting hurt."