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For the first four weeks of the regular season, the Montreal Alouettes - led by arguably the greatest quarterback in CFL history - struggled badly offensively. It was unfamiliar territory for a team and star quarterback when you consider that this team has had the top-rated passing offense for three of the last four years, and the only year they havent been rated first during that time was last year when they were second. It has been a high powered offense that has led the Als to four first place finishes in the East in the last five seasons. During those five years, Marc Trestman was the man in charge. A quarterback expert, who upon his arrival in Quebec handed the keys to the franchise to Anthony Calvillo. In 2008, in one of his first meetings with the TSN crew, he explained his philosophy when it comes to the starting quarterback on a football team. "Everybody matters in an organization but the quarterback is the most important person, including the owner," said Trestman. "Your quarterback gives your entire organization hope." It was Trestmans system, with input at the time from Scott Milanovich, and ACs job was to execute the plan; which is exactly the way Calvillo likes it. Have the coach call the plays and the quarterback executes them, and it produced three Grey Cup appearances and two championships in five years. When Trestman took the job as the head coach of the Chicago Bears this off-season, it was assumed by many that the new boss, Dan Hawkins, would simply ask Calvillo to make a copy of the playbook he had been using for the last five years, give it to offensive coordinator Mike Miller and they would hit the ground running on day one of training camp. In theory, it was a good plan. AC had to know it well enough to teach the finer points to the coaches, who could then teach it to the rest of the team. It was a theory, however, that had one major flaw - it would require one of the best quarterbacks in CFL history to also become one of the best coaches. Trestmans student would now have to become the teacher and that is something that Calvillo is just not ready to do at this point in his career. This week, AC recalled those first three days of camp, saying, "the plan was to keep as much of the old playbook as possible, and in the first three days we tried to do that," he said. Then slowly shaking his head said, "but I could tell after three days that it wasnt going to work." The old book was put on the shelf and now already at day four of a two week training camp, AC and the coaching staff would sit down and chart a new course of action. The consensus was; it would be easier for AC to learn a new system then to try and become a player-coach and implement the old one. This, however, didnt put the offense behind the rest of the league by four days, but by months when you consider all off-season you are working on your playbook. So, it shouldnt come as that much of a surprise that Montreal struggled out of the gate. The Als started the season with a 1-3 record and the offense over that one month span barely had a heartbeat. Football fans across the country thought that the solution to the problem was a no brainer and quickly pointed fingers at Dan Hawkins, and maybe more specifically OC Mike Miller. Most could not figure out why Miller wouldnt just run whatever Calvillo was comfortable with and let him do what he has done for the last five years. However, as previously noted and again according to Calvillo, the team did give Trestmans system a shot and realized it wasnt working. Also, what if after trying the old way and asking the quarterback what he wanted to run, the QB said out of respect for his new offensive coordinator that hes good with running your offense? What if AC asked Mike Miller to implement his system and also made it very clear that he would prefer that Miller call all the plays? After four weeks of the season, Miller had become an easy target for frustrated fans and quietly took the heat. The perception was that Miller was forcing AC to run plays he wasnt comfortable with, and that perception was reinforced when Calvillo showed his frustrations outwardly in the first couple of weeks of the season. The truth is, when Calvillo was asked by Miller what he would like to run offensively, AC deferred to the former Arizona Cardinals coach and asked Miller to install his system and began to commit himself to learning it. When things didnt go well out of the gate, AC became frustrated because this was new territory and a very unique circumstance. In the meeting this week without being prompted, the all-time passing leader in football said, "you know most of the time when a coach, leaves he is fired because things are going so badly. But in Trestmans case, our offense was running well when he left, so when we started from scratch and struggled early, it was really frustrating." AC also discussed all the great things he can see in Mike Millers style of offense and prior to the Als second win of the season vs Edmonton said, "its time to stop making excuses and time to buy into this new system. This stuff is solid and I have to learn it." In the final analysis, Hawkins and Miller tried the old play book and AC was the first to admit it wasnt going to work. Miller also asked AC to be part of building a new system. However, Calvillo respectfully declined and would rather run the plays than write them up. Miller is a Calvillo fan and in our meeting, first took full responsibility for the slow start by saying "I am the OC and I am fully accountable for what has happened so far and Im not happy." Miller went on to praise not only what AC has done in the past but what he believes he is still capable of accomplishing and said "Anthony is a great quarterback, but an even better person, and this offense will get better." Although a lot of people, especially in Northern Alberta, believe that Edmonton should have won that game, the win versus the Esks was a step in the right direction. The Als scored 31 points and AC was able to kick-start Brandon Whitaker (162 rushing) and Jamel Richardson (leading receiver) on the night. It remains to be seen how long it will take for everyone to learn the new way of thinking in Montreal, but one thing that was clearly evident in our meetings this past week was that there is great mutual respect between Anthony Calvillo and Mike Miller. Millers philosophy on the starting quarterback is not much different than Trestmans - they both understand the importance of the position. What is different is the system and now it is up to AC and the rest of the offense to, as Calvillo put it, "stop making excuses and learn it." Jalen McDaniels Jersey . It might not have mattered. While the Dodgers are preparing for the playoffs, the Padres showed their future has promise behind two rookies. Caleb Martin Jersey . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. https://www.hornetslockerroom.com/Michael-Kidd-Gilchrist-City-Edition-Jersey/ . The 18-year-old American had five birdies in her bogey-free round for a 17-under total of 196. Lee held the overnight lead but mixed three birdies with two bogeys for a 70. Cody Zeller Jersey . Pirlo limped out of Sundays 1-0 win over Udinese after just 13 minutes. Juventus says Pirlo underwent tests on Monday which revealed he has "a second-degree lesion to the collateral medial ligament in his right knee. Custom Charlotte Hornets Jerseys . You can watch the game live on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The Flyers had won seven of eight before dropping their last two outings on consecutive days over the weekend. Philadelphia was handed a 6-3 loss by the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon before dropping a 4-1 decision to the Rangers the following night in New York City. The Baltimore Ravens expect to see Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger back in the lineup when they meet for first place in the AFC North on Sunday (1 p.m., ET).In fact, Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs plans to welcome Roethlisberger back to the field.Dont fall for that. I saw this movie before, Suggs said about the possibility of Roethlisberger being ruled inactive. Hes going to act like, Im not playing. I dont know. I did individual today and threw a little bit. I still dont know. Then, hes going to walk ... on out there. Im going to be like, How you doin, Benjamin.On Friday, Roethlisberger was officially listed as questionable for Pittsburghs divisional showdown with Baltimore, but thats about as much information as Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was willing to provide.We had a good day today. He had a good day today, Tomlin said. Well see how his body responds to the work. We dont have to make the decision today so we wont. Well continue to push forward toward game day.Roethlisberger returned to practice this week after undergoing surgery to repair a torn left meniscus on Oct. 17. Whether he plays or not, the Ravens are determined to seize the opportunity in front of them.Were seven games in, were one game out of first in the division, and were playing the team thats first in the division, which is our archrival, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. What more could you ask for than that?Pittsburgh is 1-6 against Baltimore without Roethlisberger, and 9-8 when he plays. Tomlin said Roethlisberger could still be active for the game even if he doesnt start.I thought it was generally positive, Tomlin said about Roethlisbergers performance at practice this week. We hadnt spent a lot of time analyzing it. Its just been giving him the work and him taking the work and hes done a really good job with it.If Roethlisberger is not fully ready, backup Landry Jones will make his second consecutive start. Jones went 29 of 47 for 281 yards with a touchdown and interception against the New England Patriots in Week 7.The offense doesnt change that much if Landry Jones is in there, Harbaugh said. Obviously, theyre different players. Ben is Ben, and we respect him tremendously. Well operate under that assumption.Roethlisberger is still experiencing some pain because of the surgery. Nonetheless, he said dealing with any type of injury is common at this point of the season.dddddddddddd Roethlisberger will likely be a game-time decision as far as being named the starter.I had surgery two weeks ago, Roethlisberger said. Listen, anybody in this locker room that isnt feeling pain hasnt been on the football field yet. Everyone is feeling pain right now.Roethlisberger is having a solid season and has thrown for 1,685 yards, He is tied for fifth in the NFL with 16 touchdowns passes and has just six interceptions. Roethlisberger has been sacked 11 times, and will likely face relentless pressure by the Ravens if he is able to play.Both the Steelers (4-3) and Ravens (3-4) are coming off bye weeks. That extra time off was especially valuable to Baltimore, which hopes to have most of its key players back in the lineup.While Harbaugh declined to get into specifics about injuries, left tackle Ronnie Stanley (foot), and former Pro Bowl right guard Marshal Yanda (shoulder) are expected to return. Baltimore has struggled behind a makeshift offensive line without those two key players out of the lineup.The Ravens are also hopeful a healthy team will help snap the current four-game losing streak -- the longest slide in Harbaughs nine years as the head coach.The Steelers could get a huge boost to their playoff aspirations with a victory. Pittsburgh could also get several injured players back, including defensive end Cameron Heyward (hamstring), running back DeAngelo Williams (knee) and right tackle Marcus Gilbert (ankle).Both Baltimore and Pittsburgh have been helped by a struggling AFC North this season. The teams in that division have combined for just 10 wins -- the lowest mark in the NFL.Nonetheless, the Steelers and Ravens are in the best position to take advantage of the situation. The winner of Sundays game will be in the drivers seat.Even though Baltimore and Pittsburgh have struggles, it remains one of the best rivalries in the NFL.Its going to be exciting ball, Tomlin said. Control of the AFC North is at stake. We respect their place. We are doing it at their place. Its a hostile environment. They are well coached and have good players. ' ' '