ELKS REMAIN WINLESS BUT SHOW SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT
Edmonton squanders 10-point lead in loss to Calgary as defence continues to struggle
In a season that was never going to be without growing pains, the Edmonton Elks are at least seeing a trackable progression in their rebuild.
There was nowhere to go but up following a shattering 59-15 loss to the B.C. Lions in a season opener three weeks ago to welcome Chris Jones back as head coach of the Green and Gold.
Last week, Edmonton fell 26-16 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in a loss that was a little easier to swallow, and even led that one by a single point on three occasions.
But this time, they had it. And coming close enough doesn't quite feel like enough in losing by a single score Saturday in a game where they had held a 10-point lead over their provincial rival Calgary Stampeders.
Then again, that's kind of just what Calgary does. In all three of their games so far this season, the Stampeders have managed to rally from a double-digit deficit, as Edmonton took a 13-3 lead on a 33-yard catch and run by Emmanuel Arceneaux with two minutes left in the half.
But the Elks have to be thinking they let one get away.
Here's what we learned from their 30-23 loss at Mcmahon Stadium on Saturday:
SINKING QUICK
The Elks are in a huge hole and sinking deeper with each passing week. They are the only winless team in a West Division where everyone else has at least two wins already.
Coming out of Calgary with a rare Labour Day win the last time they were in Calgary a year ago, the Elks were 2-2 and seemingly invincible. Of course, it ended up being overconfidence as the wheels began falling off right afterward, going 1-9 the rest of the way.
So, maybe this isn't the worst place for them to find themselves right now?
LIONS LEGIT?
The worst thing to happen to Edmonton following the trouncing they took in BC Place stadium three weeks ago was to have the Lions sit out last week on a bye.
At least after Saturday's late game, the rest of the league knows Edmonton isn't alone in having been feasted on by a reinvigorated Lions squad led by Nathan Rourke, who set a Canadian quarterback record of 436 passing yards in demolishing the helpless Toronto Argonauts 44-3.
Maybe it's just beginner's luck for the young gunslinger who is taking over for the retired Michael Reilly, or maybe the Lions haven't run into any real competition yet — though knocking off an Argos group that won their division a year ago would suggest otherwise — but one thing is certain: the Elks know they aren't the only victims anymore.
MANNY SHOW, PART 2
With all the ink that's been spilled of the Canadian Football League's top-paid receiver, Kenny Lawler, coming to Edmonton in the off-season to join forces with Derel Walker, who came into the season as the league's active per-game receiving yards leader, perhaps it was a bit surprising to see the 34-year-old Arceneaux lead the way with seven catches for 99 yards Saturday.
Surprising to everyone but him, that is.
“Yeah, and that's exactly what it is,” said Arceneaux, who sits second on the team with 203 yards having caught 12-of-13 passes directed his way this season. “I'm just here to do my job. Everybody makes the jokes: `Hey, you still playing? You still around? You drink from the Fountain of Youth?'
“But it's just about putting in the work, man.”
GROUND REBOUND
The Elks need to get more out of their run game. With 45 yards on 11 carries, James Wilder Jr. averaged 4.1 yards per carry while adding 34 more yards on four catches. That works out to be 5.3 yards per touch, but his rushing results so far this season are less impressive.
While he sits among the top five in the league with 124 yards, which have come on 28 carries, his 4.4 yards per carry average is the lowest among the four players ahead of him, who together average 5.8 yards per carry. As a team, their 54 rushing yards per game is second lowest in the league, better than only the Hamilton Tiger-cats, whom they face next.
WHERE'S THE D?
So far, Edmonton has looked like anything but a typical Jones defence, having given up a league-high 487 yards rushing and 16 points against per game on the ground. They are right in the middle of the pack when it comes to allowing 287 passing yards per game, but the 10 points opponents are averaging against them through the air is tied for second worst in the league.
Of course, just like Rome wasn't built in a day, the rest of the league is waiting for things to fall into place for Edmonton's defence, and Jones himself assures the pieces are there. It will just take time. Whether it happens soon enough for the Elks to take a run at the playoffs is, of course, the big question.
Notes: Edmonton's Matt Mengel is showing he can really punt the ball, leading the league with a 51.8-yard average.