Competition Intense At Eskimos Training Camp

The Eskimos already have had plenty of changes, but there still may be more to come by the end of training camp.

With only seven offensive players and five defensive players who started the Eskimos’ final game of the 2018 season returning this year, that means a turnover of at least half the starting lineup.

Place-kicker Sean Whyte, punter Hugh O’Neill and long-snapper Ryan King are probably the only players who can sleep well for the next three weeks. Otherwise, the competition will be fierce across the board with 94 players in training camp.

“This is one true (training) camp that I could be honest with you and say, ‘Coming out, there’s some guys we think should have the jobs,’ but ultimately, it’ll play out,” said Head Coach Jason Maas. “We just want to improve every day. It’s not about where you start. It’s where you finish. At the end of the day, everything’s important. Everything we do matters, whether that’s a practice rep, a one-on-one rep, a walk-through rep.”

Still, quarterback Trevor Harris, middle linebacker Larry Dean, receiver Greg Ellingson and left offensive tackle SirVincent Rogers – who were all key acquisitions on the opening day of free agency – should be on the field when the Eskimos play their home opener against the Montreal Alouettes on June 14th. Expect them to be joined by holdovers like offensive lineman Matt O’Donnell, who has started 94 of his last 98 games at various positions during the last six years, defensive tackle Almondo Sewell (a five-time CFL All-Star) and budding star defensive end Kwaku Boateng, who led the Eskimos with nine quarterback sacks last year.

Where are the major battles for jobs?

Former draft picks Jordan Hoover (2017 fourth round), and Jordan Beaulieu (2018 third round) are listed 1-2 at safety, but will be pushed by 2019 draft picks Scott Hutter (sixth round) and Eric Blake (eighth round).

Backup quarterback is up for grabs. Six-year CFL veteran Danny O’Brien has been an Eskimos backup the last two years, but Logan Kilgore has CFL experience with both the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts while Jeremiah Briscoe is a 25-year-old rookie who passed for almost 12,000 yards over three years at Sam Houston State (2015-17) and became only the second player to twice win the Walter Payton Award as the most outstanding offensive player in U.S. college football’s Division I Championship Subdivision.

The Eskimos have 12 offensive linemen, including two national players (Jacob Ruby and Qadr Spooner) challenging international Travis Bond at left guard, while last year’s international tackles (Colin Kelly and Tommie Draheim) are both lined up at right tackle.

There are 17 receivers, including 11 international players. Ellingson, DaVaris Daniels and Ricky Collins, Jr., were all signed as free agents on Feb. 12th while Kenny Stafford – coming off a career-best 55 catches for 781 yards over 17 games – is the only international pass-catcher returning from last year’s team. Former first-round draft pick Tevaun Smith (2016) is finally ready to start his CFL career after spending the last three years in the NFL.

C.J. Gable rushed for 1,000 yards for the first time last year, but the 31-year-old veteran will have to hold off second-year international running backs Shaquille Cooper and Jordan Robinson, as well as 2018 draft pick Alex Taylor, a talented runner.

Fullback Calvin McCarty is hoping to be back for his 13th season while veteran Alexandre Dupuis is a solid CFL veteran and 2018 draft pick Tanner Green a promising up-and-comer.

Defensively, nine international defensive linemen are fighting over probably one starting job plus backup positions, and five national players want a chance to give Boateng an occasional rest.

Five international players – including fourth-year Eskimo Korey Jones – are trying to beat out free-agent signings Dean, Jovan Santos-Knox and Don Unamba for a starting job at linebacker while 10 international players – including holdovers Forrest Hightower (11 starts last year) and Monshadrik Hunter (12 games) – are trying to secure what may be only three available spots in the defensive backfield.

Edmonton Eskimos take on the BC Lions this Sunday, May 26 in pre-season action. Get your tickets here!