Adrian McPherson continues to shine in backup role

Patience must be a virtue for Adrian McPherson.

The Southeast High legend continues to hang tough with the Montreal Alouettes though he doesn't get the respect he deserves.

McPherson is backing up Canadian Football League legend Anthony Calvillo and can’t get any respect. In he CFL Calvillo is looked upon as a combination of Tom Brady, John Elway and Johnny Unitas.

Calvillo suffered a concussion last week against Edmonton. McPherson came off the bench completed 6 of 6 passes for 92 yards and ran 45 yards on five carries show more athleticism than his aging counterpart.

But all the talk this week is about Calvillo coming back Friday. Apparently the CFL policy on concussions is like the old NFL: If you can stand and walk a straight line you are okay to play.

In a relief role this season, McPherson has completed 25 of 37 passes for 282 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He has rushed 40 times for 157 yards and two touchdowns.

McPherson has productive pre-season but returns to backup role

After a productive pre-season, quarterback Adrian McPherson found himself in his familiar backup role to Anthony Calvillo when the defending Canadian Football League Montreal Alouettes opened their season last week.

In two pre-season games, the Southeast High product completed 12 of 20 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.

McPherson could’ve opted out of his contract, but signed on through the 2012 season in hopes of someday replacing Calvillo, a CFL legend who is the verge of breaking nearly every passing record in league history.

Now 38, Calvillo had off season surgery to remove a cancerous thyroid gland, but he didn’t show any ill effects or look as if he was slowing down in Montreal’s regular season opening 30-26 victory over the BC Lions completing, 22 of 30 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns.

McPherson did not throw a pass and ran the ball once for two yards. Former University of South Florida receiver S.J. Green, had a nice game with six catches for 88 yards.

McPherson extends contract with Montreal

Adrian McPherson recently signed an extension with the Montreal Alouettes that will carry him through the 2012 Canadian Football League season.

There was speculation McPherson would opt for free agency after the upcoming season because a lot of CFL teams want his services and he is the backup to one of the league’s all time great quarterbacks.

Many in the CFL see McPherson as a rising star just waiting for his chance, much the same way Steve Young waited in the wings to replace Joe Montana.

McPherson gained 121 yards on 16 carries against Hamilton during the regular season to become the first quarterback in Als history to rush for over 100 yards. He also threw for 238 yards, completing 21 of 37 attempts with one touchdown pass.

The Southeast product, who turns 28 in May, has been with Montreal since 2008 and appeared in 44 games showing promise that he has a productive career ahead of him in the league. He has been sitting back waiting for his chance, sort of like Steve Young did for Joe Montana.

“I want to be a great quarterback in this league and I want to be a part of a great organization,”McPherson said in a statement. “I feel this is the best opportunity for me. I'm very happy to extend my stay in Montreal.”

McPherson has been the backup for Anthony Calvillo, a Canadian Football League icon who has won two straight Grey Cup titles.

Calvillo who has been an iron man of sorts, turns 39 this season and missed some games last year due to an injury. The Alouettes reported that during the off season he had a complete throidectomy because of cancerous cells that were found, but the club expects him to return for another season.

Also signing with Montreal to Green Bay Packer all time leading rusher Ahmad Green, a 12 year NFL veteran.

Green (6'00'', 220 lbs), the Green Bay Packers' all-time leading rusher, joins the Alouettes after spending 12 seasons in the NFL.

After being selected in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft and playing two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks,

The 6-0, 220 pound Green spent seven years with the Packers where he was selected to play in four consecutive Pro Bowls, from 2001 to 2004 and was an All-Pro Selection in 2001 and 2003. He set several team records in 2003, including most rushing yards in a season (1,883), most rushing yards in a game (218) and most carries in a season(355).