September 22, 2012

Eskimo offense under “advisement”

Dale MacMillan

Dave Campbell
ESKS.com

The Eskimos have hit the low point of their season.  A three-game losing streak has bitten the team.  The Eskimos only lost by a combined three points to the Calgary Stampeders, but the roof caved in last week in Hamilton.  A 51-8 thrashing by the Tiger-Cats, the worst loss for the franchise since losing 55-9 in a late October game in Regina back in the 2008 season.

The Esks have scored 29, 18, and 8 points during that stretch and have scored just five offensive touchdowns.  So what can you do with a struggling offense at this point in the season?  The club searched deep within NCAA division one circles and found David Kelly.  A man with over 30 years of coaching experience in NCAA and in 2010 he was named one of the top-25 best recruiters by Rivals.com.  He’s coached such famous NFL receivers as Hines Ward and Terrell Owens.    

So why is Kelly here?  He’s been named an offensive adviser to assist offensive coordinator Marcus Crandell in game planning.  Crandell has been getting the bulk of criticism lately as to why the offense has been sputtering.  Head coach Kavis Reed made the point quite clear this week – Crandell is the offensive coordinator and Kelly is just here to lend a hand.

“Marcus is the offensive coordinator. There’s no controversy created here in Marcus’ ability to make the decisions for the offense,” Reed explained.  “David was here in the spring helping us implement some parts of our offense.  He’s familiar with our offense. Right now we’re struggling just a bit and we feel an extra pair of eyes will help us.  David is here to help, David will not call a play, David will not be the architect of our offense, David is not the guy here to replace Marcus.”

Nor should he be.  Replacing Crandell with someone from the outside would produce major damage to the Eskimo season.  They’re still fighting and are right in the mix for a playoff spot.   Just go back to 2009.  The offensive coordinator for half that season was Rick Worman.  He was replaced after Labour Day by Kevin Strasser who was brought in by then general manager Danny Maciocia in week four of the season.  When Strasser took over, it set the offense way back  at least a month before concepts and schemes were completely understood.  The team did make the playoffs that season but limped in.  Making a major coaching change mid-season almost always spells disaster.

The reality is that David Kelly isn’t here to stand on the sidelines and twiddle his thumbs.  He will be helping out in the offensive game planning with Crandell and the rest of the offensive staff.  The question is, how much input will he really have?

When Kelly was in Edmonton in the spring and for training camp, he helped to devise “the quick game” or ball control offense.  Here’s what’s been happening in this writers view in the last three games.  Kerry Joseph has been the starter and has given the Esks a more dynamic quarterback.  Joseph threw for 311, 275, and 292 yards in his three starts but hasn’t found the win column.  The Eskimos have tried to attack downfield to little or no success.  They have also had issues in using their run game, or not using their run game.  Cory Boyd and Jerome Messam have joined a very crowded backfield which should have Hugh Charles as their focal point.

What made the green and gold successful in their five wins this season is a strong running game complimented by a ball control timing offense.  They’re not finesse team. They’re a bring your lunch pail, your work boots, and get ready to grind out a win kind of team.

How much of an impact David Kelly will have remains to be seen.  He’s not the white knight to ride in and save the day.  If the Esks are going to turn their fortunes around it has to be the players and coaches in the locker room.

We’ll see how the offense performs tonight as Steven Jyles takes the ball for his first start under centre since August 27th in Toronto.

NOTES: After missing two months of action because of a hamstring injury, Marcus Howard will make his return today.  His reps will be limited, however, and be used in a rotation.  Defensive end Lee Robinson has been place on the nine-game injured list with an injured quad.  Justin Capicciotti will draw in on the defensive line.  Defensive lineman Ted Laurent re-aggravated his ankle last week in Hamilton and will sit out.  Defensive back Weldon Brown returns to the lineup after missing three games with a groin injury.  On offense, Dylan Steenbergen will start at right tackle for the injured Devin Tyler.  Tyler was kicked in the throat during Tuesday’s practice.  Fullback Darcy Brown will make his Eskimos debut.