Dave Campbell
ESKS.com
The Eskimo running back spot a year ago was intended to be a two-horse race between Arkee Whitlock and Daniel Porter. As the season progressed, one man did step up to plate and took the reins of the run game. And it wasn’t Whitlock or Porter, who were both eventually released. Instead, it was Jerome Messam, who became just the third Canadian running back in CFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season. Messam hurt his knee in the West Semi-Final thus ending his season, and after undergoing surgery and successful rehab, he signed a contract with the Miami Dolphins of the NFL.
The departure of Ricky Ray was a big blow to Eskimo fans and losing Messam just added salt to the wound as he was considered by many as the Most Outstanding Player for the green and gold. Messam’s contract was signed under the old CFL collective bargaining agreement meaning he could explore NFL aspirations thanks to the CFL option window. Replacing a 6’3, 245 pound running back with a combination of power, finesse, and speed is obviously a very formidable task.
The answer may be to simply change the equation. The 2012 Eskimos don’t have the luxury of a power back at the moment so they’ll use what they have. Imports Hugh Charles, Cory Ross, and John Goebel along with veteran Calvin McCarty are all competing for the number one job in the offensive backfield. The final Esks’ roster will likely include a running back that can make the opposition’s defenders miss.
The man leading the charge so far is second-year Eskimo and five-year CFL pro Hugh Charles. His career totals include 106 carries for 592 yards, good for a 5.6 yard average. Charles also has scored six career touchdowns on the ground and three touchdowns through the air in a backup role with the Saskatchewan Roughriders due to the presence of Wes Cates. However, Charles currently finds himself at the top of the Eskimo depth chart and Head Coach Kavis Reed has pointed out that is largely based on his valuable experience.
Charles was acquired by the Eskimos last October before the CFL’s trade deadline and started for Edmonton in the West Final in place of the injured Messam. The Eskimos are very high on Charles to carry the load in 2012, so much so that they elected to pass on Cates, Joffrey Reynolds, and Avon Cobourne who were all available earlier in the year.
Charles does have some competition. Cory Ross, or as some in the media have called him, “short bus”, comes in at 5’6 and 240 pounds. Ross is a former member of the Baltimore Ravens and played in 10 games in 2006 and 2007 as an undrafted free agent. In 2010, he was named the United Football League’s Offensive Player of the Year. Ross doesn’t come to training camp with the most CFL experience, but at the same time he does have plenty of football experience at 29 years of age. He’s been through enough training camps to know how to handle the rigors and the nuances of the game. Although Ross’ training camp started slow, he’s now giving the coaching staff something to really think about.
John Goebel is the closest comparison in size to Messam, listed at 6’1, 227 pounds. If anything, he should be playing with a hunger and desire as his last game action was during his senior year in 2010 at the University of Cincinnati. Plus, Goebel’s only shot to impress the coaching staff is Friday in Calgary. He’ll miss the final pre-season tilt next Thursday in Edmonton because of his wedding.
And last but not least, there’s Calvin McCarty. The forgotten man at times, McCarty’s role in the offense is often limited even though he did win the running back job out of training camp last season.
To be a successful running back in the CFL, you have to be willing to do as many things as possible to stay relevant on the field. It is necessary to have good hands out of the backfield to catch the ball and also to have the ability to block and protect the quarterback on passing down situations.
Charles takes pride in being all of the above which is why he has the inside track on the number one job. Another good sign for him is that he won’t play Friday in Calgary as the coaching staff is very satisfied with what they see in him.
With an offense that’s trying to settle in with new quarterback Steven Jyles, Charles along with a consistent running attack may be the Eskimos most important piece of the puzzle.
NOTES: Matt Nichols will start at quarterback against the Stampeders. Jeremiah Masoli will see significant playing time with Brandon Summers seeing some reps as well. Several veterans will sit out versus Calgary including Steven Jyles, Kerry Joseph, Fred Stamps, Adarius Bowman, Marcus Howard and Julius Williams.