Dave Campbell
ESKS.com
Suffocating defense is not the most exciting brand of football sometimes. This type of defense limits what many football fans like seeing, which is a high-moving, high scoring brand of football.
You have to admit though, when a defense is performing at a dominating rate, it can be fun to watch. Two seasons ago the Eskimo defense was far from being fun to watch. They gave up over 50 points twice to the Calgary Stampeders. On average, the Esks were giving up around 30 points per game.
It all changed last season when Rich Stubler joined the Green and Gold as defensive coordinator. He helped the Edmonton defense return to a championship caliber, finishing second in the CFL in average points allowed per game (22.3).
As much as the Ricky Ray trade left the Eskimos reeling, the announcement of Rich Stubler’s departure also sent shockwaves through the city of Edmonton. It definitely came as a surprise considering a report came out a week earlier saying Stubler was staying for 2012. Head Coach Kavis Reed says it was a move that surprised him.
“Obviously we would have loved to have had Coach Rich Stubler stay, but we understood his reasons. Coach Stubler has some personal reasons that he wanted to be out closer to the West Coast having a house not too far in Washington State,” Reed explained. “He is a phenomenal coach; obviously our staff was sad to see him go but I understood.”
Reed calls Stubler a friend and a mentor. He admits he tried to talk him out of leaving, but he didn’t have to look too far to find a replacement in linebacker coach Mark Nelson. It was the best choice for Reed to keep the defensive continuity intact. The Esks have enjoyed tremendous success after three games in 2012. They sit second in the league in average points allowed per game (14), total points allowed (42), and interceptions (3). They’re tied for first in the CFL for the least amount of touchdowns allowed (3). And after suffering through years of not being able to get to the opposing quarterback, the Eskimos lead the CFL with 11 sacks. And the team’s sack leader is not Marcus Howard or Julius Williams, rather it’s defensive tackle Almondo Sewell. Yes, Almondo Sewell! He’s not even a starter. Fellow lineman Ted Laurent is second on the team with two and says that the groundwork for success was laid back in training camp.
“Coach Nelson and Coach Kit (Lathrop, the Eskimo defensive line coach) said we’re going to be special on defense,” Laurent said. “We just believed in that and kept working hard and the hard work is paying off right now.”
Last season, Stubler used a 3-4 alignment. This season, Mark Nelson has the front seven in the traditional 4-3 system. With Howard, Williams, Laurent, Sewell, and Don Oramasionwu, the Eskies have a legitimate and formidable pass rush. Linebacker J.C. Sherritt leads the CFL in defensive tackles with 24, with 11 of them coming in the season-opening win over Toronto. Fellow linebacker T.J. Hill says the defense isn’t really doing anything spectacular and that they’re just doing their jobs.
“We got out there and we’re just a blue collar team. We don’t want no credit, we don’t want no pub, we don’t get no credit anyway and we like it that way,” Hill said. “So we just go out there and do what we do. As far as us going out there and stopping opposing team offenses, that’s what were supposed to do and if we’re not doing that, something’s not right.”
Last year, Rich Stubler ran a complicated scheme which forced the defenders to learn great detail of their assignments. This year under Mark Nelson, the defense has been simplified, producing a more reactive group of defenders. It should also be mentioned that the Green and Gold are enjoying this success without two key players in Rod Davis and Greg Peach who left in the off-season via free agency.
While the offense is still trying to get their footing, the defense gives the Eskimos a fighter’s chance to win football games. They’ll have to force turnovers and perhaps contribute points like they did last week in the 42-10 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The next test is Friday against the Grey Cup Champion BC Lions.
Just like Hall of Fame wrestler Ric Flair always says:
“To be the man you got to be the man!”
And don’t forget the WHOOOOOOO!!!!
NOTES: The Eskimos will be without short-side halfback Weldon Brown on Friday in Vancouver. Brown has a groin injury and will be replaced by newcomer Ricardo Coclough. Linebacker Clint Kent is doubtful with a knee injury. A Blue Bomber made contact with Kent’s knee while he was standing on the sideline. Ronnie Prude will take Kent’s spot as an extra linebacker/defensive back. Wide receiver Greg Carr is doubtful with an ankle injury. Carr originally hurt the ankle two weeks ago in Regina and played in only of half last week’s game. It’s the first of three meetings between the Eskimos and Lions this season. In 2011, the Edmonton lost three of four meetings.
