In Canadian football, the potential of the games greatest players isnt always obvious during the early stages of their careers. [url=http://www.wholesaletexansjerseys.com/]Cheap Texans Jerseys[/url] . And Anthony Calvillo is no exception. He came to the CFL in the most unusual of circumstances, the 2

In Canadian football, the potential of the games greatest players isnt always obvious during the early stages of their careers. Cheap Texans Jerseys . And Anthony Calvillo is no exception. He came to the CFL in the most unusual of circumstances, the 21-year-old quarterback of a CFL expansion team in Las Vegas that spent its one and only season playing before crowds that resembled friends and family. That first season, he completed 44 per cent of his passes and threw more interceptions than touchdowns while the team stumbled to a 5-13 record and then folded. Had Calvillo hung up his cleats right then and there, no one would have blamed him. And no one would have remembered him, either. At that time, he was about as anonymous as a CFL player could be. All of which makes more remarkable the journey hes taken over the past 20 years, retiring as the all-time leading passer in pro football history, three Grey Cup rings and a legacy in Canadian football that is virtually unmatched. The lesson of Anthony Calvillos career is that those who become stars in the Canadian game are rarely those who possess eye-popping physical attributes, or who arrive with bona fide star power. They are, instead, usually players whose full skill sets arent obvious right away, requiring a combination of humility, determination, patience and smarts to reach their potential. And in Calvillos case, he needed every one of those qualities to get him to the top. Calvillos time in Las Vegas was followed by a move to Hamilton for three seasons where he served primarily as backup quarterback for the Tiger-Cats, followed by two more with Montreal where he once again played the understudy, this time under CFL great, Tracy Ham. If there was greatness ahead of him at that time, only Calvillo would have known it. Yet six years into his professional career, following Hams retirement after the 1999 season, Calvillo took the reins in Montreal looking like someone whod been succeeding at the Canadian game all his life. It turns out Calvillo had made good use of those first half-dozen years in the league, refining his craft, learning from his own mistakes and those of others, quietly turning himself into someone who was ready and able to engineer a CFL offence. When his time came to become a starter with Montreal, he was meticulous and calm, the consummate professional who could command respect from those around him with his approach to the game and unmatched level of preparedness. Had his success come earlier in his career, Calvillo might not have lasted as long as he did in the CFL. But when the National Football League comes looking for players in Canada, it tends to value youth and overhwelming physical skills. To appreciate Anthony Calvillo, you couldnt just look at tape or watch him at a workout. You had to see him game-in and game-out to understand the consistency, how rarely his instincts betrayed him and what a winner he was. That recogntion didnt come quickly in Canada either, however. Consider that when TSN did its Top 50 all-time players list in 2006, a survey of football media from across the country, Calvillos name wasnt on it. It wasnt truly until the final half-dozen years of his career that Calvillo began to receive his due as one of the leagues all-time greats, as the success he accumulated year after year became impossible to ignore. Calvillo is the last player to have played for a U.S. expansion team to retire, closing the book on that desperate chapter of CFL history but at the same time reminding us it wasnt all bad. If it werent for the Las Vegas Posse, would Calvillo have ever played in the CFL? And even if he had surfaced elsewhere in the league, would his journey somehow have turned out differently? Its been a great ride for Anthony Calvillo, the rare CFL player who retires as a nationally recognized name in Canada. From the unlikeliest of beginnings to the highest of accolades, he earned everything he got along the way. Dave Naylor can be heard weekdays from 4pm-7pm as the host of TSN Drive on TSN Radio 1050 in Toronto. Wholesale Texans Jerseys Free Shipping .com) - Virginia is for loving Latrell Scott. Youth Jordan Thomas Jersey . - For years William Gay kept quiet. http://www.wholesaletexansjerseys.com/?tag=youth-jordan-akins-jersey . - Erick Torres scored his 10th goal of the season on a stunning volley, and Chivas USA edged 10-man Real Salt Lake 1-0 on Saturday night.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Rex Ryan and Michael Vick might need to huddle up. While Ryan insisted Wednesday theres "no doubt" the New York Jets have an open competition at quarterback, Vick continued to differ. So, heres where we are: Its a controversy over a competition that could become a controversy at some point in training camp. "I think there is competition, theres no doubt," Ryan said after the Jets completed the second day of organized team activities. "As a coach, you love it." But, shortly after Ryans news conference, Vick reiterated his comments from last week, and has said since he signed with New York in March, that Geno Smith is the teams starting quarterback. "Nah," Vick said. "Its not an open competition." Ryan and general manager John Idzik have preached competition at all positions. While Ryan acknowledged that some competition has to be "manufactured" -- for instance, centre Nick Mangold, left tackle DBrickashaw Ferguson and defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson are in no danger of losing their jobs -- players pushing each other on the field improves everyone. That was the thought when the Jets signed Vick in March; he would give Smith a serious run for the job. But last week, Vick made it clear he thinks this is Smiths job to lose and its not an open competition, at least not like last year when he and Nick Foles went against each other in Philadelphia. "Weve got two guys who are really pushing to be the starting quarterback," Ryan said, when asked about Vicks comments from last week. Vick and Smith split snaps with the starting offence Wednesday. "Ive said from Day 1 that I think Geno will be hard to beat out," Ryan said. "But Ive also said Mike will have an opportunity to compete, and he definitely will." The coach added he didnt know why Vick thinks its not a true competition, but was noncommittal when asked if Vick could be the starter if he outperforms Smith in camp. "I think well let it play out a little bit," Ryan said. "Its the second day of OTAs, so its not a closed competition." Thats news to Vick, though. He at first danced around questions regarding the quarterback situation and Ryans comments. "Im here to compete every day to help this team win football games," Vick said, later repeating that line a few times before appearing to grow fruustrated. Youth Peter Kalambayi Jersey. "I dont know how to answer this question," Vick said. "This is the third time around." Smith, who has repeatedly said hes taking nothing for granted, was not made available to the media. Vick doesnt appear disgruntled about his situation, and hasnt indicated he was misled when he signed a one-year, $4 million deal and was reunited with offensive co-ordinator Marty Mornhinweg. "I knew what I was getting into when I got here," he said. "Its everything I expected. Im having fun with the guys. Everything is team oriented. Were just having a good time. We just have to keep everything rolling. Thats the most important thing." One things for sure: Whoever wins the job will have a proven receiver in Eric Decker to throw to. But the former Broncos star is going from Peyton Manning to an unsettled quarterback situation. Arguably the top wide receiver available when free agency opened, Decker visited the Jets first and never left. Now, hes expected to give New York a No. 1-type target. "Ive been telling people I feel like a rookie all over again, which is nice," Decker said. "Ive got to prove myself, in a way." Decker broke out in a big way the last two seasons, catching a combined 172 passes for 2,352 yards and 24 touchdowns. "The two years I got to spend with (Manning), he made me a better professional," Decker said. "But, again, I see a lot of talent in this quarterback room, and Im excited about growing with them." NOTES: S Calvin Pryor, the teams first-round pick, sat out because he needs three wisdom teeth pulled and his mouth is swollen. "I cant put my helmet on," he said. "So (the trainers) dont want me out there with contact right now." He expects to practice next week. ... RB Chris Johnson caused a stir Tuesday night when he tweeted that the Jets should pursue disgruntled Texans WR Andre Johnson. "Anytime youve got another friend in the league, you always want to play with him," Chris Johnson said. ... WRs David Nelson (illness) and Shaq Evans (finishing school) and RB Mike Goodson (knee) were among those not at the voluntary sessions Wednesday. ... The Jets signed CB Brandon Dixon, a sixth-round pick, to a four-year deal. That leaves Pryor and CB Dexter McDougle, a third-rounder, as the only unsigned players of the Jets 12 selections. 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