there are certain plays he has to make

MONTREAL -- Troy Smith is ready to hear Anthony Calvillos name mentioned every time he lines up at quarterback for the Montreal Alouettes. Demarcus Robinson Super Bowl Jersey . The Heisman Trophy-winning pivot, who joined the Alouettes midway through last season, will be the clubs first opening-game starter other than Calvillo in 15 years when Montreal plays its first game of the 2014 CFL regular season at Calgary on Saturday. They are massive shoes to fill, with Calvillo having retired in the off-season as the leagues all-time passing leader. "Ill never stop hearing those references," Smith said this week. "I think its great to be mentioned with a great name like that. "I havent done nearly the things he has, and just holding onto his coattails a bit has been fun so far. But as a man, I definitely want to make my own path. Thats why Im here." Smith takes over the key position on a team that was a powerhouse for most of Calvillos time behind centre, but which has been sliding in recent seasons. And even though they remain well-stocked with top talent at many positions, the Alouettes are perceived as a team in decline. Last season was a disaster, with the inexperienced Dan Hawkins fired as head coach only five games into the season, followed shortly by a season-ending, and career-ending, injury to Calvillo. They finished 8-10, tying their worst record since they returned to Montreal after a 10-year gap in 1996, and lost to Hamilton in the East Division semifinal. This season hasnt started well either, with team architect Jim Popps bid to keep the head coaching as well as general managing job turned down. Tom Higgins, who was out of coaching since 2007, was named the new head coach, but the offensive co-ordinator he hired, Rick Worman, was fired midway through training camp. Then the club lost both its pre-season games, including a 26-10 setback at home against expansion Ottawa in which they failed to score a touchdown with new OC Ryan Dinwiddie calling the plays. Smith was not sharp while playing just over half of that game, but neither were backups Tanner Marsh and Alex Brink. All three got starts last season, with Smith emerging as the most promising to take over the top job. Now he has to play well enough to keep it. "I dont look at it as a transition year," said Popp. "That was last year. "Theres going to be a transition, but we were faced with this starting in Game 6, and we played two thirds of the year without Anthony Calvillo, knowing he probably wasnt coming back. "We had four different quarterbacks that won games and the team realized they could win without Anthony. That was a big hurdle. Its a little nerve-wracking, but like with all great players you lose, you just have to march on. Its not so much to replace that guy, but to find someone you can win with. How great theyll be, well find out." There were two main positives to come out of the off-season. One was the return of Larry Taylor, who gives them a kick return threat they havent had in recent seasons. Another was the signing of former NFL star receiver Chad (Ochocinco) Johnson, who so far looks to have a positive influence on and off the field. The 36-year-old Johnson has been out of football for two years, but Popp said he showed up in shape and has been a "great fit." "I think he can do great things for us," Popp said. "Every time we play somebody, their attention is on him, and not on S.J. Green and Duran Carter. So if hes an attention grabber and everyones talking about him, great. Chads used to that. And Chad, with each game and experience he has in this league, is only going to get better as the season goes along." Smith will have an impressive set of receivers with Green, Carter, Johnson, Taylor, Brandon London, Eric Deslauriers and the repatriated Dave Stala. Gone are Jamel Richardson, who had a knee injury and was cut, and veteran Arland Bruce. "Weve got the best receiving corps in the league," said Popp, who is particularly high on Carter, the son of former NFL great Cris Carter, who gained 909 yards in only 12 games after making his CFL debut in August. "All I say is CFL, enjoy what youre watching because youll be watching him in the NFL next season, Hell have the majority of NFL teams after him, and were not talking about as a third or fourth receiver. He can go in and have an impact like Cam Wake. Hes at that level." There is a first-rate running back in Brandon Whitaker and a solid offensive line anchored by left tackle Josh Bourke, despite the retirements of Scott Flory and Andrew Woodruff and the departure of Michael Ola to the NFL. The defence lost starting middle linebacker Shea Emry to Toronto, but should remain among the leagues best under defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe with veterans like rush end John Bowman and linebacker Chip Cox leading the unit. The Alouettes kick teams have been weak for the last three seasons, including when Marc Trestman was head coach and didnt name a full-time special teams co-ordinator. But they looked good both on returns and kick coverage in the pre-season and they may be a key area of improvement. Taylors ability to avoid the first wave to pick up extra yardage should be a bonus. It will likely take some time for the offence to jell. And if it turns out that Smith doesnt have what it takes to be a regular CFL starter, it could be a long season indeed. Starting the campaign against Calgary, followed by a home game against B.C., should give Higgins and idea of what it will take to re-establish Montreals reputation as a Grey Cup contender. "Every indication is that Troy Smiths going to be our guy, but sometimes there are growing pains," said Higgins. "If you look at Anthonys career, at the start it wasnt as stellar as it was at the end. "All that being said, (Smith) comes with good intangibles. Hes from a good program. Hes got the system down. Practices are going good. So lets see him get measured up against the best." Tyreek Hill Super Bowl Jersey . Rudy Gay made the tying basket in regulation and a 3-pointer in overtime that gave Sacramento the lead for good, and Fredette scored a career-high 24 points to help the Kings beat the Knicks 106-101 on Wednesday night. Darwin Thompson Super Bowl Jersey . -- Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer will be out three to six weeks with a stress fracture of the third finger of his right hand. http://www.thechiefsshoponline.com/Youth-Derrick-Thomas-Chiefs-Jersey/ . Of all the names out there who could realistically be dealt by Wednesdays deadline, Ryan Kesler remains No. 1 on the most desired list. And while were not sure if theyre any closer to a deal, we now have a defined price.SURREY, B.C. - Kevin Glenn wants everyone to take a deep breath. Despite guiding the B.C. Lions to a sluggish 0-2 start to the CFL season — including an anaemic offensive performance in last weeks 24-9 road loss to the Montreal Alouettes — the clubs veteran quarterback is confident things will turn around soon. For a team that has designs on playing in the Grey Cup game set for its backyard, they better. "I wouldnt push the panic button just yet. Its a long season," Glenn said after Tuesdays practice. "There is a sense of urgency and I think everybody understands that around here just because of the nature of our profession. We dont have to panic. We just have to go make sure we understand whats going on and we go out and execute in the game." Starting in place of injured No. 1 quarterback Travis Lulay, Glenn has thrown six interceptions and has been sacked nine times through two games. Its a small sample size, but also a troubling trend for a team that has a new offensive co-ordinator, a new scheme and a rebuilt offensive line in 2014. "Theres no excuses around here," said Glenn. "Weve just got to believe in each other, believe in the systems and what were doing and just get this thing turned around." In truth, the Lions offence has been ravaged by injury early in the season, with both the receiving corps and line taking major personnel hits. B.C. head coach Mike Benevides is hoping to get receivers Marco Iannuzzi and Emmanuel Arceneaux back for Saturdays visit to Regina to take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders (1-1), but its clear everyone on the roster has to be better. "I think what it has come down to, and I have told the players this, is making plays," said Benevides. "Its different if we just cant get squat done. But theres points where theres a throw to be made into the end zone, lets make it. Theres an interception to be made, lets make it. Theres a ball on the ground ... lets all run to the ball and get the ball. "Every single one of us, and that includes us with the whistles, we just have to find ways to make some plays. We have go gain confidence and we have to get better right away because right now its not good enough at all." The offensive line lost three starters to retirement in the off-season and new starting left tackle Andre Ramsey went down to injury in the season opener. The Lions brought in Ryan Cave last week, but he was victimized by Montreals defence in the first half after taking part in just two practicees with his new teammates. Dustin Colquitt Super Bowl Jersey. Still, Benevides said Glenn — who has just two touchdown passes to go along with a 58.5 per cent completion rate — has to make the right decisions in crucial moments. "Five sacks (against the Alouettes) are too much. The hits are too much. We have to fix that right away, but there are certain plays he has to make himself and he knows that," said Benevides. "Two weeks in a row there was a play to be made in the end zone without pressure, lets make that play. He knows that." In his first season with B.C. after being acquired at the CFL draft in a trade with the Ottawa Redblacks, Glenn has been through his share of ups and downs in his career and said the Lions are still a confident bunch. "Weve got a lot of guys here that believe in each other and I think thats the biggest thing," said the 35-year-old. "If you still have guys that believe in each other and know that its going to get done ... its going to get done." Answering questions about early-season struggles is something many of the Lions have had to deal with in the not-too-distant past. The 2011 team started 0-5 before rallying to not only make the playoffs, but win the Grey Cup at B.C. Place Stadium — the same field where the big game will be held in November. That doesnt mean they want to take the same route in 2014. "At the end of the day weve got a lot to build on. Our foundation is still solid and everybody still has confidence in the locker-room. We just have to apply it to the field," said veteran defensive back Ryan Phillips, before cautioning: "Everybody should be concerned to some degree. We cant go off the past and say weve been here before and things like that. "Our backs are against the wall right now and thats the reality of it. Youre only as good as your last game." On top of looking for their first victory of the season this weekend in what is sure to be a hostile environment in Regina, the Lions will take on a Roughriders team that ended their season in 2013 before capturing the Grey Cup. "We are pissed off, weve lost two in a row. They are going to play at home," said Benevides. "Its loud and its hard to play there. Our guys have done it before and challenged them really well. I really dont care about the opponent. Its about us performing better. "There is no need for any extra motivation right now. We suck. We havent won two games in a row and we have to win right away." ' ' '