Eskimos look pretty dangerous on paper
Last week because of an editing error, I indicated Winnipeg tied Edmonton for second worst offence in the West. They tied the Eskimos for second in the standings at 12-6 but the Green and Gold had the most productive attack in the CFL. Despite losing receivers Adarius Bowman and all-Canadian Brandon Zylstra, all-star quarterback Mike Reilly, 2017’s Most Outstanding Player, isn’t worried.
“I’m excited about the offence we have, particularly the wide-receiving crew we have. Over the last couple of years we’ve tried to be more multi-dimensional, not just in passing, but 5050 with the run game. We want to spread the ball around more because that’s a more effective way to play offence.
“I believe we’re the most balanced we’ve been at all positions. There is no weak link. No matter who is out there, we’re going to have five weapons the defence is really going to have to worry about.”
Back are Derel Walker, Jamill Smith, Kenny Stafford and Vidal Hazelton. Two Canadians will emerge from a very competitive training camp.
Only left tackle Joel Figueroa is missing from last year’s strong offensive line. He will likely be replaced by newcomers Kwabena Asare or Chauncey Briggs. Veterans C.J. Gable, John White and Calvin McCarty provide a stable ground game.
The man who makes it all work is the great Reilly, the successor to Jackie Parker, Matt Dunigan, Tracy Ham and Damon Allen. In addition to leading the league in passing last year, he was Edmonton’s second-best rusher. His backup is the Ulysses of the CFL, Kevin Glenn who now has signed with every team in the league.
Defensively last season, the Eskimos ranked third in yardage surrendered, sixth in points. They were fourth in quarterback sacks with 44 and second in QB pressures. Maas and his defensive coordinator Mike Benevides want to do better. Gone are veteran D-linemen Odell Willis, Marcus Howard, Phillip Hunt and Euclid Cummings. Only allCanadian Almondo Sewell remains. Maas wanted to get younger.
“When I looked at our roster during the off-season, it was getting older. On the D-line we had three guys over 30 who are not here anymore,” said Maas. “We are replacing them with guys 24, 25 and 27. So we’ve made a concerted effort to move in a different direction. We signed (former Lion) Alex Bazzie, a veteran who can help fill the void right away and he’s young with experience. Last year Kwaku Boateng was our draft choice. He came in and did a lot of special things and he’s young. An American, Jake Ceresna will play the interior and he’s young. They are younger guys we feel can contribute right away and make our team look differently on the defensive line and still be productive.”
Second year man Da’Quan Bowers can play every line position. Bazzie and holdover Sewell are tremendous talents. If the youngsters are legitimate starters, the D-line will be fine.
Last year former Most Outstanding Defensive Player, middle linebacker J.C. Sherritt went down with a season-ending Achilles injury the first game of the year. He’s back and looking as frisky as a pup and will lead the defence. He is joined by linebackers Adam Konar and Korey Jones. Adair Smith, Kevin Jackson, Blair Smith and Chris Mulumba provide strong national depth. AllCanadian linebacker Kenny Ladler went to the NFL. Maas will field a veteran secondary with Johnny Adams and Arjen Colquhoun at the corners Cauchy Muamba at safety and Forrest Hightower and Aaron Grymes, the halfbacks.
Said Maas: “What I like about our defence right now going into training camp and the season is there are no rookies playing anywhere on the first team. Our defence should be able to do more things. I like the depth, the youth and the experience we have. I like the fact it is all coming together right now.”
Special teams are a concern. In 2017, the Eskimos were last in kickoff average, eighth in punt returns but second in kickoff return average. They were last in net punting average and eighth in field goal percentage. Coverage teams were good. The same guys, kicker Sean Whyte, punter Hugh O’Neill, return men Jamill Smith and Chris Edwards are back.