Dave Campbell
CFL.ca
EDMONTON — The number 40 has developed into a significant number for the 2011 edition of the Edmonton Eskimos. You see, 40 represents the number of players from the final version of Edmonton’s 2010 roster that are currently not wearing Green and Gold.
General manager Eric Tillman promised that there would be changes in Edmonton and he didn’t back away from his words during the off-season, trading for and signing 47 players in time for training camp. Rather than name all the newcomers, it’s much easier to name those who are still around:
Ricky Ray, Fred Stamps, Andrew Nowacki, Arkee Whitlock, Daniel Porter, Matheiu Bertrand, Calvin McCarty, Sam Fournier, Derek Schiavone, Aaron Fiacconi, Jeremy Parquet, Kyle Koch, Patrick Kabongo, Greg Wojt, Gord Hinse, Adam Rogers, Tyler Scott, Brad Smith, Pascal Fils, Rod Davis, T.J. Hill, Greg Peach, Chris Thompson, EtIenne Legare, Walter Curry, Wheldon Brown, Roderick Williams, and Corbin Sharun.
That’s just 28 returnees, a staggering number really. Just two assistant coaches – Mark Nelson and Tim Prinsen – are back for the 2011 campaign. Nelson will continue his role as linebackers coach, while Prinsen returns to coach the offensive line.
When the Eskimos kickoff their regular season on July 3 in Regina against the Roughriders, it’s likely they’ll have eight new starters on defense and up to six new starters on offense.
The team also has a new head coach in Kavis Reed who has, to this point, done a fine job of managing all the changes. Reed is hoping it won’t take long for the new group of players to gel.
“We have to bring them together fast as a coaching staff,” said Reed.
There isn’t a lot of time to do that up here in the CFL. All you get is a three-week training camp, mixed in with a scrimmage and two pre-season games.
Rich Stubler is back after a few stints with the Eskimos in the 90s, and he has his defence looking very sharp. The Eskimos’ new defensive coordinator is looking to bring back the 3-4 scheme, a setup which inflicted some confusion and difficulty for opposing offences while Stubler was with the Argonauts.
Stubler will rely on T.J. Hill as the anchor of his nwe operation. Last season, Hill was the Eskimos’ top defensive player lining up at the strong-side linebacker position. This season, you’ll find Hill – at least to start, anyways – lining up as the starting free safety.
“He’s seen more in the CFL obviously than a rookie would have seen,” explained Coach Reed.
“He can make the adjustments a lot quicker and that’s a position where coach Stubler feels quick adjustments are necessary.”
Reed will likely employ two rookies in his defensive backfield and up to three in his linebacking corps to compliment projected starting middle linebacker Rod Davis.
The defensive line will likely be composed of a group of veterans. Curry, Peach and free agent signing Jermaine Reed will be given the starting jobs, but CFL rookie Julius Williams may join them.
Fans won’t see too many new faces on the offensive side of the ball; however, they may notice some tactical differences. New offensive coordinator – and former CFL quarterback – Marcus Crandell spent the last two seasons as an offensive assistant in Saskatchewan so changes are likely imminent.
Just two starters from last year’s receiving corps are back, receiving yards leader Fred Stamps and seven-year veteran Andrew Nowacki. The returnees will be joined by free agent signings Chris Bauman and Adarius Bowman who previously played for Hamilton and Winnipeg respectively.
Expect fifth overall selection Nathan Coehoorn to make a contribution this year as well.
The running back battle has Arkee Whitlock and Daniel Porter competing for the starting job, while the offensive line has everybody back from last season with the likes of second overall selection Scott Mitchell and Scott Ferguson knocking on the door.
Brandon Smith is the leading candidate to replace Tristan Jackson in the return game. Newly signed Damon Duval is challenging Derek Schiavone for the kicking job.
It’s a new team which in one way is exciting and in another way is very frightening. Tillman revamped the Roughriders in 2007 and ended up winning the Grey Cup that same year . It can easily go the other way too. The B.C. Lions made plenty of changes last season and struggled out of the gate only to rally in the second half and barely make the playoffs.
Defences are usually ahead of offences at this time of year and training camp so far has stayed true to that statement.
The offence is operating a little slowly as they are in the midst of learning new concepts, so it’s the defence that might have to hold the fort to give the them a chance to catch-up.
The coaching staff will try to get the team to click right away. If they don’t, what will the reaction of the fan base be?
That’s the 64 thousand dollar question.