Dave Campbell
ESKS.com
Summer in Edmonton so far has been hot, somewhat humid, and spectacular. Yes, we’ve had to endure the almost nightly thunderstorm which has either woke you up at night because it’s so darn loud and bright or because you ran down to your basement to check whether or not it’s flooded.
Some Eskimo fans and media felt the green and gold would be somewhat stormy this season, especially Steven Jyles and the offense. There was the 17-1 debacle back on July 8th in Regina which caused a lot of the Eskimo faithful to issue thunderstorm warnings. Two straight wins followed by a heart-breaking 23-22 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers two weeks ago has the Eskimos sitting tied for second place in the Western Division with a 3-2 record.
The Eskimos are fresh off their bye week and, according to slotback Fred Stamps, the break was needed.
“It came at a perfect time, you get a chance to sit back and evaluate things and review.”
Alright, let’s evaluate and review then shall we.
The Eskimos have surprised many with their 3-2 record, but so far the script has played out to a tee; With the uncertainty of quarterback Steven Jyles and the offense and, more importantly, the time it’ll take to have this phase gel. The defense has stepped up and dominated. They’re giving up a ton of yards. In fact, they sit fourth in the CFL in average yards of offense given up per game with 373. They’re middle of the pack in the CFL in average yards passing and rushing yards allowed per game. Yards only beat you, however, if you give up the points to match. The Eskimos are seriously living by the “bend but don’t break” philosophy; First in the Canadian Football League in fewest points allowed with 79, and average points allowed per game with 16.
Middle linebacker J.C. Sherritt leads the Eskimos and the CFL with 41 defensive tackles and is well on his way to breaking the league record for defensive tackles in a season which is 129 set in 1994 by Calvin Tiggle. Sherritt is the early season candidate for Eskimo defensive player of the year. You can also make an argument that Sherritt is the team’s Most Outstanding Player.
The front four is getting to the quarterback, sitting second in the CFL with 14 sacks while the secondary is making plays, sitting tied for the league lead in interceptions with 7 (Joe Burnett leads the CFL with 3).
Offensively, it’s been a work in progress so far. The Eskimos are last in the CFL in points scored (111), offensive touchdowns scored (7), and second to last in average points per game (22). The offense is at or near the bottom in most offensive categories. Nobody had unrealistic expectations about quarterback Steven Jyles. It’s taking time for him to get used to the offense, his receivers, and the system. Jyles is now becoming a much better passer; his efficiency rating is climbing. He had his best rating of the season vs. Winnipeg two weeks ago (102.3) and threw two touchdown passes. He’s finding the team’s best weapon, Fred Stamps, more downfield and in general is connecting more with his receivers than missing them. So far, running back Hugh Charles has been the team’s best offensive weapon leading the Eskimos in both rushing (333), and receiving yards (266).
The Eskimos have improved in their return game with Joe Burnett. How about the forgotten man in the Ricky Ray trade, kicker Grant Shaw? He sits second in the CFL with a 92 percent conversion rate.
The Eskimos have done a very good job of keeping themselves in the race early for a home playoff game and that’s what this time of year is all about. The defense should continue to get better as it becomes healthier. The offense and Steven Jyles still remain the one big question mark on team. Can the offense lead the team to a victory? They came close two weeks ago in Winnipeg but came up short.
The story of the 2012 Edmonton Eskimos is far from being complete.
NOTES: Wide receiver Greg Carr will return to the lineup tonight vs. the Saskatchewan Roughriders after missing two games with an ankle injury. Right guard Greg Wojt is back after missing the last four games with a knee injury. Devin Tyler recently finished serving a three-month prison sentence for an assault charge stemming from a fight outside a Washington, D.C. night club. He’s back with the Eskimos and will start at right tackle. Defensive back Weldon Brown returns tonight after missing the last two games with a groin injury. The Eskimos have signed former Toronto Argonaut defensive tackle Claude Wroten who was released by Toronto earlier this summer. Last season Wroten registered 35 defensive tackles and four quarterback sacks. Wroten will dress tonight along with fellow defensive lineman Etienne Legare who’s missed the first five games of the season battling mononucleosis. Fred Stamps is 51 yards away from cracking the Eskimo Top-10 in all-time receiving yards.
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