Dave Campbell
ESKS.com
After four games into the 2012 CFL season, the script is playing out almost to a tee. If the Eskimos were going to have success early on, their defense would simply have to hold down the fort while offense figures themselves out.
The Esks are tied for both the best record in the CFL and first place in the West with a 3-1 record. Their offense finds themselves last or near the bottom in most offensive categories. The defense, on the other hand, is at the top of the CFL in total points allowed with 56 and average points allowed per game with just 14. Edmonton has given up 15, 19, 10, and 14 points in the first four games of the season.
They’re having success for many reasons. They find themselves leading the CFL in quarterback sacks with 12 and tied for second in the league with five interceptions. Joe Burnett has three of the five picks while manning the wide-side corner position. The rookie from Central Florida has been turning heads and making a name for himself in the young season. Last week he had two interceptions including a 108 yard return for a touchdown which is a new Eskimo record. He was the Week 4 CFL Defensive Player of the Week and leads the CFL with those three interceptions and also in return yards with 133.
Head Coach Kavis Reed says give credit to the Green and Gold’s scouting staff for finding Burnett late last season.
“Another phenomenal job by our scouting department, he was here for a brief period of time last year and we had an opportunity to see him live given the rules that we had the opportunity to look at guys who were released from the NFL,” Reed explained. “We’re very fond of his talents and more importantly, his character in terms of his work ethic was really something we felt would work well for us. That’s the reason why we released a veteran guy in Jykine Bradley to give him the opportunity.”
Last season the secondary was the weak link in what was a very good defense. The Esks led the CFL in interceptions but also led the CFL in touchdown passes allowed. Offenses have tried to throw on Burnett and the rookie has stood tall so far. In 49 career games as a star at Central Florida, Burnett picked up 16 interceptions along with 221 career tackles and 35 knockdowns. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers where played 15 games in 2009 and recorded 17 tackles.
Burnett has fit right in with a secondary that’s being asked to be more aggressive this season. He says he relishes being a playmaker, as his 108 yard scamper for a touchdown put the game away for the Eskimos against the Lions last week.
“Each time I go out in the game, that’s what I always tell myself is go be a playmaker and go make plays,” Burnett said. “I think offensively, you get that opportunity but if you can be that defensively or a special teams player, it’s just a bonus to be a playmaker.”
Oh yes, special teams. That was the pleasant surprise Edmonton discovered about Burnett; he’s a pretty good returner. Right now, he the Esks’ primary returner and is averaging 17 yards on punts returns and 23 yards on kick returns, making him one of the most versatile players on the roster. How long it stays that way remains to be seen. The Green and Gold recently signed a star returner out of Maryland in Tony Logan. In 2011 he was the leader in punt return yards in the ACC and finished third in all of US College Football. Logan won’t play this week which gives Burnett another chance to make life hard on the coaching staff in deciding whether or not to keep the return game status quo.
So far Burnett is proving that he can be a jack of all trades. He does admit, though, that he might like returning more than playing on defense. However, the problem is that is so valuable on defense. He understands that even though it might be through gritted teeth, if the coaching staff decides he needs his work load lightened, he’ll be on board.
Who knows, perhaps the Eskimos have found the modern-day Larry Highbaugh.
NOTES: The Eskimos won’t have left guard Simeon Rottier in the lineup at Winnipeg Thursday; he’s out with an arm injury. Rottier had him arm pulled back by Lions defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell last week resulting in a two-game suspension by the CFL. Brian Ramsay will get the start at left guard. Defensive end Marcus Howard won’t play due to an injured hamstring. Lee Robinson will start and backup Shawn Lemon moves on to the active roster. Defensive back Ricardo Colclough hurt his foot last week in Vancouver, and with Weldon Brown still out with a groin injury, Ronnie Prude will start at the short-side halfback spot. Fullback Mathieu Bertrand has been placed on the nine-game injured list with a groin injury. Fellow fullback Pascal Fils joins Bertrand with a knee injury. Import fullback Evan Harrington will start and play his first CFL game. Former Bombers Greg Carr (ankle) and Clint Kent (knee) remain out. Edmonton beat the Bombers 42-10 at Commonwealth Stadium back on July 13th. The next game for the Esks won’t be until August 10th vs. the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
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