CFL Draft The team helped to replenish their offensive

ATLANTA -- Lou Williams is out of the doghouse. Good thing, because the Atlanta Hawks really needed him Monday night. Williams scored 22 points off the bench to give some help to one-man show Paul Millsap, rallying Atlanta to a 103-95 victory that denied the Philadelphia 76ers their first winning streak in nearly three months. The Hawks, clinging to the final playoff spot in the East, snapped a six-game losing streak and won for only the seventh time in 27 games. They came into the night one game ahead of the New York Knicks. "We all kind of looked at each other," said Hawks guard Kyle Korver, who returned to the lineup after missing six games with back spasms. "We all know whats on the line." Williams sat out seven straight games in March, but it didnt have anything to do with being hurt. He was on the outs with first-year coach Mike Budenholzer, who didnt play his top bench scorer for seven straight games even though the Hawks were struggling mightily. The message received, Williams playing time has picked up over the last seven games. He came through with two crucial 3-pointers in the closing minutes as the Hawks bounced back from an early 14-point deficit. "Thats what weve been expecting from him all season," teammate DeMarre Carroll said. "Coach did a good job of not playing Lou, to show him that he couldnt take his opportunities for granted. Hes playing some better basketball now." Millsap carried the Hawks much of the night, also snagging a season-high 17 rebounds. But Williams hit the biggest shots down the stretch, a floater that snapped a 92-all tie, then back-to-back 3s from deep in the same corner to finish off the 76ers. It was his most points since a season-high 28 against Charlotte on Dec. 28. "That was the first time I had to deal with that in my career," Williams said on his benching. "We werent in a good rhythm and Coach wanted to change things up, try something new. He told me to stay ready. Thats what I did." The 76ers were coming off a victory over Detroit, snapping an NBA record-tying streak of 26 consecutive losses. But they couldnt win two in a row for the first time since Jan. 4. Thaddeus Young led Philadelphia with 23 points, while James Anderson chipped in with 19. If only the 76ers could have figured out a way to stop Williams. "Lou did what Lou does -- came out and hit two big 3s, and the game pretty much was determined at that stage," 76ers coach Brett Brown said. "He went back to the old Lou." The 76ers led from the opening minutes until late in the third, when the Hawks stormed to the front by closing the period on a 9-0 run. Williams got it going with a three-point play, Carroll dunked off a turnover, Williams made two more free throws, and Carroll laid one in to give Atlanta a 75-73 lead heading to the final quarter. Philadelphia turned it over twice and missed its final four shots of the period, the last of those a reverse layup by Elliot Williams that rolled off the rim. Atlantas Mike Scott stood defiantly over Williams after playing him tough, the 76ers player sprawled out beneath him on the floor. The Hawks shot just 32 per cent in the first half, were out front for a total of only 29 seconds, and trailed 53-43 at the break. NOTES: 76ers F Arnett Moultrie was suspended five games without pay for a league drug violation. Moultrie, who played 12 games for Philadelphia this season, was assigned to Delaware of the D-League. He cant play with the minor league team during his suspension, either. "Arnett is still a part of the team and we will reach out to him and help him where we can," Brown said. ... Korver finished with 11 points on 3-of-10 shooting. ... Atlanta swept the season series, following up a 113-103 victory at home and a 125-99 win in Philadelphia that started the 76ers historic losing streak. 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Its barely fair to ask a Ricky Ray or Travis Lulay - veteran pivots with Grey Cups and Most Outstanding Player awards to their name - to assume the role of face of the league and greatest active player. So its really not fair for a quarterback with four career starts in the CFL under his belt - albeit promising ones - to be put under that spotlight. But, as the de facto replacement for Calvillo in Montreal, fairly or not that could be the measuring stick for Smith. A more realistic expectation, and one Smith has a shot at living up to, is a solid quarterback that gives the team a chance to win week in and week out. After relieving Josh Neiswander (no longer with the team) midway through a late season game, Smith never looked back in guiding the Alouettes into the playoffs and briefly flirting with second place in the division and a home playoff date. His numbers in his short stint as starter were encouraging. While his completion percentage was just a shade over 50 percent, he threw nine touchdowns to just five interceptions and averaged nearly 300 passing yards per contest. And while his stat line from Montreals lone playoff game (14-26, 142 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) was far from impressive, the poise and leadership he displayed - factoring in nerves, inexperience, and all the rhetoric attached to a rookie making his first postseason appearance - was heartening for Alouettes fans. But that composure really isnt all that surprising for a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback with tangible NFL experience. Following a strong four-year career at Ohio State, two years as a starter, Smith was awarded the 2007 Heisman Trophy and then embarked on a four-year NFL career, finishing with 1,734 passing yards and 11 combined touchdowns. If youre apt to use the term pedigree to predict future success, a quarterback like Smith would surely fit the bill. And now for the best news of all in relations to Smiths chances of succeeding as a CFL quarterback: Montreals stacked receiving corps. Injuries to Jamel Richardson, proven long ago to be a bona fide stud receiver, opened the door for S.J. Green to elevate his status from very good to great last season; while Duron Carter demonstrated hes very much Pro Football Hall of Famer Chris Carters son in his CFL debut season. Health permitting, Smith will be throwing to receivers with a combined eight 1,000 yard receiving seasons, and four double-digit touchdowns seasons. And Carter almost added to that total in just 12 games last year (enjoy him while you can; the 23-year-old will be making plays in the NFL next season). With those three thoroughbreds in tow, former NFL star and notorious headline stealer Chad Johnson should be battling for fourth on the import receiving depth chart at best. Its of couurse hard to predict how Smith will do this season and in future years, other than to say hell be hard-pressed to make Als fans forget Calvillo anytime soon.dddddddddddd. There have been several quarterbacks of the future the past number of seasons in the CFL, few of them (less than nine!) have panned out. But Smith has everything youd seem to want to at least take your shot with him. And thats likely what the Alouettes will do. Notes Calvillo Retires 2013 marked the end of an era as Anthony Calvillo, perhaps the greatest CFL quarterback of all time, retired after 20 seasons. The majority of Calvillos career was spent in Montreal, as were the majority of his 79,816 career passing yards (a professional record) and his 455 career touchdown passes (a CFL record). Calvillo also won three Grey Cups and three Most Outstanding Player awards with the Alouettes. Expansion Draft The Alouettes lost three young players to the Ottawa Redblacks in Decembers expansion draft, none more valuable than versatile FB Patrick Lavoie, who was making a name for himself in the two years he spent with Montreal. The Als also lost DT Moton Hopkins and LB Jordan Verdone. Free Agency Montreal was once again quiet on the free agent market, deciding against bidding on any of the top names available. Free agency will be known more for when the team lost some talent, highlighted by LB Shea Emrys departure to Toronto, but GM Jim Popp did make sure to lock up some important pieces, highlighted by the re-signing of LT Josh Bourke. Return man Larry Taylor was also traded for during this period. Higgins Hired Up until Tom Higgins was hired to coach the team, it was unknown if Montreal would hire a coach or just let Popp continue on in the interim role. The Higgins hiring was strange also because GM Popp appeared to not be a part of the interviewing process for Higgins. Quatre-Vingt Cinq Despite an already solid receiving corps, the Alouettes added some more sizzle by signing former NFLer/headline-maker Chad Johnson to a contract in April. The transaction may be as much a publicity stunt as it is a solid football move but Johnson showed up to Montreal in good shape, in high spirits, and looking like he still has some football left to play. Offensive Line Losses Montreal lost two mainstays of their offensive line in the off-season when Andrew Woodruff and Scott Flory announced their retirements. CFL Draft The team helped to replenish their offensive line in the first round of the draft by selecting David Foucault from Montreal. The rest of the draft saw Montreal select Queens DB Andrew Lue 10th overall, Guelph DL Jeffrey Finley 22nd overall, York DL James Tuck 31st overall, Manitoba WR Andrew Smith 35th overall, Manitoba K/P Nick Boyd 43rd overall, Sherbrooke FB Jean-Christophe Beaulieu 49th overall, and Calgary WR Mackenzie Sarro 58th overall. ' ' '