Dave Campbell
ESKS.com
Tonight was set-up to be an elimination game for the Edmonton Eskimos. The Toronto Argonauts played host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last night at Rogers Centre. The Argos chose to sit quarterback Ricky Ray. Running back Chad Kackert sat the game out. Once receiver/kick-returner Chad Owens set the CFL single season combined yardage record, he sat out. Fodder for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, or so it seemed.
All week the Esks were expecting tonight’s game to be a “win and you’re in” scenario. However to the surprise of many, the Tiger-Cats came out flat and a game-winning 52-yard field goal by Argo kicker Swayze Waters sent Hamilton packing and the Eskimos punching their ticket to the 2012 CFL playoffs.
So now what?
This game tonight really means….nothing?
Right?
I mean what do the Eskimos really have to play for?
Well let’s start with the fact they have lost two straight games. Getting that winning feeling back in the locker room would be very important for this football team; That going-to-the-playoffs-on-high feeling. The offense needs to find a way to move the football and score. They have been blitzed heavily in those two games. Quarterback Kerry Joseph hasn’t had the time needed to throw because of the pressure he’s faced lately which has made him more of an erratic quarterback.
Tonight would also be a good night to clean up the mental and fundamental issues. There have been too many offsides and procedure calls, too many dropped balls by receivers and receivers not being where their supposed to be. Tonight the Eskimos can work on playing a cleaner brand of football.
Collecting their first win against the provincial rival Calgary Stampeders could be another boost to the Esks’ confidence. The team lost by only three points in the Labour Day series and were beaten soundly in Calgary in late September.
There’s no way Edmonton wants to get swept by the Stampeders. To avoid that reality, the Eskimo defense will need to stop one man tonight – running back Jon Cornish, the CFL’s leading rusher. He’s lit up the Eskimos by the tune of 436 yards on the ground. He’s 136 yards away from surpassing Normie Kwong’s record of most rushing yards by a Canadian running back. It’s a great oppoutunity for the Green and Gold defense to give Cornish a rough ride on his way to that record.
Edmonton is in a very interesting situation tonight. They don’t need to win; however, of course, they would like to win. It also gives head coach Kavis Reed the luxury of managing the minutes for some of his key personnel. After the Eskimos clinched a playoff spot, a relieved Reed told the Edmonton Journal’s Chris O’Leary that backup QB Matt Nichols will see plenty of playing time. Joseph is expected to start; he needs quality reps also.
Linebackers J.C. Sherritt and T.J. Hill have been operating with their fair share of bumps and bruises lately. They may find some time to rest on the bench.
If the Eskimos win and Saskatchewan loses tomorrow night, they’ll finish third in the West Division. Cue the great debate. Are the Esks better off playing in the West? Or, are they better off crossing over in to East Division?
In the West, you’d have to play against teams that, so far, the Esks have only one win against this season. In the East, the Eskimos have played Toronto twice and won. They’ve lost both meetings to the Montreal Alouettes. In the West, travel isn’t as much of a factor. In the East, the Eskimos will be racking up the frequent flyer miles.
The margin of error in the playoffs shrinks down to nothing. Mistakes have to be limited.
Tonight the Eskimos have a chance to serve notice they’re ready for the post-season.
NOTES: After missing 13 games with a nagging hamstring injury, defensive end Marcus Howard returns to the lineup. The last game he played was on September 22nd at home vs. the BC Lions where he re-aggravated the injury. Left tackle Orrin Thompson has been placed on the 9-game injured list with a knee injury, ending his season. Devin Tyler moves to left tackle and Matt O’Donnell will make his CFL debut at right tackle. Cornerback Rod Williams has been placed on the 1-game injured list with a head injury which will move Joe Burnett from the wide-side corner to the short-side. Defensive back Pete Ittersagen makes his CFL debut at the wide-side corner. Fullback Calvin McCarty is back in the lineup after missing two games with an ankle problem; fellow fullback Darcy Brown comes out.
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