The Edmonton Elks entered the homestretch of training camp Monday, as the team returned to The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium to open the final week of camp.
Only a handful of practices remain for the Green and Gold before the CFL’s roster deadline on Friday, as the club kicks off the 2021 CFL season in just 11 days.
You can get your tickets for the Elks home opener August 7th against the Ottawa RedBlacks by clicking here.
W.I.N.
NFL legend Al Davis might have said it best when it comes to what pro football is all about – “Just win, baby.”
But for this edition of the Elks, it’s more appropriately just W.I.N., baby.
“We are an organization and a team…that focus on today,” head coach Jaime Elizondo said.
“What we talk about is win and the acronym for win is what’s important now. And that’s really what the message is to these guys.”
That seems particularly important for the squad right now, as training camp moves into a third week, and the team as a whole tries to avoid overlooking any opportunities to get better ahead of Week 1.
“Really our focus is winning the practice and trying to get one per cent better every day. If we walk off the field every practice one per cent better and everybody is doing that, then you’ll see collective improvement as we go.”
GRIZZLED VETS
Kicker Sean Whyte was a busy man during the CFL’s extended offseason, working to lay the foundation for a life after football by gaining experience as a technical rescuer.
And while Whyte enjoyed a glimpse of what his post-kicking career could look like, the CFL veteran is glad to be back with the Green and Gold.
“This is one of the best locker rooms that I’ve ever been a part of,” said Whyte, who also thrived in the team environment he experienced working in rescue.
One of the new additions who’s making it a great group is the CFL’s longest-serving player, Chad Rempel.
Entering his 16th season in the league, Rempel has filled the void left by Ryan King’s retirement at long snapper.
Thank god @remp82 is here. Moves me to second oldest on the team. 32 years of Pro football Experience In this picture. @cfl @elks @tsn_official @ Edmonton, Alberta https://t.co/xR3w7tBU4k
— Sean Whyte (@SeanWhyte6) July 11, 2021
“There’s no replacing a Kinger, but if you are you want the next best thing, or I’d say is equal to and that’s Chad Rempel,” Whyte pointed out. “He’s not just a good long snapper, he’s an absolute beauty.”
“He’s someone you want in the locker room. He’s the guy you want to hang out with every day. He walks into a room and everyone loves the guy.”
Hear more from Whyte by clicking here.
BACK UP TO SPEED
We could tell you about Derel Walker’s CFL exploits, but his numbers really do all the talking.
Now back in Edmonton after a one-year stint in Toronto, Walker is getting up to speed after spending the first week of camp quarantining.
“Honestly, today was the best I’ve felt yet,” Walker explained. “It’s been a little shaky getting back to it. I had to get my wind back right for football season. It’s obviously hard to do that when you’re stuck in a hotel and trying to learn the playbook and all that on your own.”
Now in the swing of things, Walker and Trevor Harris are building a connection on and off the field as centrepieces in a group that has shown more than just glimpses of being a scary offensive unit.
Speaking of Harris, you can hear more from the Elks pivot and his budding connection with Walker below.