June 29, 2011
Dave Campbell
ESKS.com
Trying to figure out your football team in training camp is, for the most part, as clear as mud. Three weeks of grueling practices, meetings, and two pre-season games is a lot to fit in just a short amount of time. The Eskimos played their two exhibition games and were the only team in the Western Division not to win a game. The Eskimos lost 23-22 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, a game where the green and gold fought back from a 15-0 deficit and almost came away victorious. The Eskimos then shifted their focus to last Friday’s matchup with the Calgary Stampeders. Head Coach Kavis Reed really wanted to win that game, he really wanted to send a message that his football team means business. Fast forward to two minutes left in the first quarter, the Eskimos found themselves down 21-0. Yes, down to the same team that kicked them in teeth twice in Calgary and beat them back at home in the Labour Day Rematch. Not the message the Eskimos wanted to send.
“Down 21-0 in the first quarter was a difficult situation, but it’s pre-season and it was an opportunity to see whether or not this team has the resiliency that we wanted to have,” Reed explained. “In an 18-game season, you’re not going to be leading every game; you’re going to have come from behind. I was very pleased with the fact that the guys did not quit. They made every effort to get back into the ball game.”
The Eskimos fought hard in the final three quarters despite losing 37-22.
Perhaps the growing pains are to be expected. The Eskimos are the youngest team in the Canadian Football League. On defense, there are as many as eight new starters. On offense, not as much change, but four to six starters will be new. Not to mention just two returning coaches back from last year. A new offensive coordinator in Marcus Crandell, a new defensive coordinator in Rich Stubler, and a new special teams coordinator in Rick Campbell.
Sometimes a three week training camp isn’t enough time to properly assess your team. Head Coach Kavis Reed says his team will need some more time to figure themselves out.
“We expected there was going to be some competition still in the 46 guys that we have and some of the guys that we’re keeping on the practice roster as well,” said Reed. “There are a few spots that we still have to solidify and are not etched in stone yet. For the most part, we can field our team for next Sunday.”
The linebacking corps changes now with the departures of Will Harris and Quinton Culberson who were both released. More re-tooling is needed back in the secondary. After suffering through a horrendous first quarter against the Stampeders, veteran Lenny Walls was released after being signed by the club two weeks earlier. He’s still applying aloe vera on himself for the number of times he was burnt by Henry Burris and the Calgary offense. T.J. Hill was supposed to be the starting safety. Question now is, can Kavis Reed afford to keep the team’s reigning defensive player of the year away from his SAM linebacker spot. The offensive line keeps losing import tackles and had trouble at times keeping Ricky Ray secure in the pocket last Friday. The receiving corps is still trying to find weapons to compliment Fred Stamps. Will the running game feature imports or non-imports? So many changes are usually followed up by too many questions.
The Eskimos are trying to build a championship team; the organization wants success this season. Perhaps 2012 and/or 2013 is more realistic, who really knows at this point. While preaching patience, fans in Edmonton want to see results after watching the better part of five tough seasons. General Manager Eric Tillman says you need a balanced approach which includes respecting that fact the Eskimos are in a very tough Western Division.
“We understand what the challenge is, but if you’re intimidated by challenges this is the wrong business to be in,” explained Tillman. “This is a young team that I think will grow and develop. I think the key is going to win some close games early on, maybe win some ugly games and hang in the race. The season is remembered by how you play in October and November. It’ll be a process and we’re in the first stages of that process.”
The first test is a good one for the young Eskimos as they take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the meanest park in the country: Mosaic Stadium in Regina.
Baptism by fire.