MONTREAL -- It is time for former University of Florida star quarterback Chris Leak to show the CFL what he can do.
The 25-year-old gets his first start as a pro when he takes over for the injured Anthony Calvillo at quarterback when the 6-2 Montreal Alouettes play host to the struggling 1-7 British Columbia Lions tonight. Watch live on TSN, and on TSN.ca with streaming video and a live blog.
"We're excited to see Chris play," veteran offensive lineman Scott Flory said Thursday. "He's got a great pedigree, he's a great guy, he has a great demeanour in the huddle and everything.
"We know his abilities. Everyone's just going to do their job around him and he'll do his."
Leak passed one test two weeks ago when Calvillo suffered a bruised sternum on a sack just before halftime against Winnipeg. Playing the entire second half, Leak threw one interception, but moved the ball consistently and helped Montreal to a 39-17 victory.
The Alouettes had a bye last week, which allowed extra time for Leak to get extra "reps" in practice to prepare for the Lions.
The Charlotte, N.C., native has dealt with pressure before, including a U.S. national championship game in which he led the Gators to victory over No. 1 ranked Ohio State in 2006.
"You rely on those memories of playing in big games, pressure situations and things like that," said Leak, a third-year Alouette. "But this is a new game.
"The coaches have the game plan in place and I can just go out there and have fun. That's all the coaches want -- be yourself, protect the football and play the game you love."
Leak is actually the third-string quarterback in Montreal, but back-up Adrian McPherson is also out with an injury suffered in training camp. Next week, Calvillo and McPherson are both expected back and Leak is slated to go back to being No. 3, but a big game against the Lions may shuffle the cards somewhat.
He will be backed up this week by No. 4 pivot Ricky Santos.
On paper, it is a game the desperate Lions ought to win, particularly against a team they usually play their best against even when Calvillo is the starter. The pressure is on the Lions, who don't want to finish the first half of the season 1-8, with eight losses in a row.
"I expect our defence to fly around and make some havoc and our offence to come out and execute right away," said Lions slotback Paris Jackson. "It's been some time since we've done that.
"Talk is cheap. We've been saying it all year. We have to go out there and prove it."
The first job is to test Leak's mettle.
"I know Marc Trestman is a smart coach and he's going to use him on his strengths," B.C. coach Wally Buono said. "As a football club we have to anticipate what those are.
"He's a guy who has played big-time football in college. We still have to defend, not only the quarterback, but all the weapons Montreal has."
Like Calvillo, Leak likes to throw from the pocket, but his young legs give him an extra dimension for scrambling or taking off with the ball.
"I've been able to sit back and watch Anthony, one of the greatest quarterbacks, week to week," said Leak. "It's helped me grow as a quarterback.
"And this week Anthony's been like a big brother to me, along with the coaches, helping me to focus. But it's going to take an entire team effort for us to be successful."
That was Calvillo's message as well.
"He just has to play the game he's capable of and not any more because there are a lot of great players on this team and he doesn't have to try to win it himself," the 37-year-old said.
"Whenever you get a chance, you want to prove your worth and try to help the team win. He did that last week. Now he has a chance to get some reps during the week. I'm sure he's looking forward to it. Any young quarterback would be excited in his first start."
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