Streaky Eskimos could yet recover from current mess

Ever since Jason Maas became Edmonton’s head coach in 2016, the big questions have been “Will the real Edmonton Eskimos please stand up?” and, “Who are these guys?” Are they the team that scored 48 points against the best defence in the league Sept. 8 against Calgary, or the one that the equally mystifying Winnipeg Blue Bombers crushed 30-3 last Saturday?

Determined to play in the Grey Cup game they are hosting, after starting off by winning five of their first seven games, they have now lost five of their last seven. Instead of challenging for first place, they are tied with Winnipeg for third and could easily wind up in the crossover spot against Ottawa or Hamilton, teams they haven’t defeated this season.

I pointed out last week when comparing Bo Levi Mitchell and Mike Reilly that in their four games before Saturday’s tilt, Edmonton had scored one field goal in the fourth quarter and over their first 13 games had averaged eight points in the second half. Outscored by the Bombers 30-3, no points in the final 30 minutes, well, you do the math. In what was called a must-win game for both teams, the Eskimos failed to answer the bell.

Meanwhile, down south, Bo and his bunkhouse boys defeated Toronto 38-16, the visitors managing a lastminute major. The score was 14-10 in favour of Calgary at the half. After the game, Calgary coach Dave Dickenson said, “Our coaches did a good job of adjusting at halftime.”

Exactly. The Stamps often resemble a blind man feeling an elephant during the first 30 minutes. Then the assistant coaches figure out what the other team is doing, they make adjustments during the intermission and the team comes out and dominates the rest of the way. That’s what a championship team does. That is not happening in Edmonton.

The Eskimos have started most games like a house on fire. The opposition adjusts and shuts them down. Maas and his staff don’t adjust to the adjustments and lose. There are other problems,too. Their offensive line ranks seventh in sacks allowed. Saskatchewan has had the fewest, Calgary second-least. The have the worst punt and kickoff return averages in the league, meaning Reilly is usually starting with poor field position. Two days ago, Maas fired his special teams coordinator Cory McDiarmond, replacing him with Dave Jackson. They are the most penalized team in the league, a reflection of their undisciplined coaches and a major reason they are so streaky.

When star receiver Duke Williams was hurt, TSN bemoaned Edmonton’s mounting injuries. Are you kidding me? The Stamps lost yet another starting receiver in Reg Begelton who appeared in the post-game dressing room sporting a cast on his arm and looking very, very sad. Still, Mitchell completed 20 of 34 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns. He also amazed the sodden crowd by running for 13 yards on Calgary’s first play from scrimmage. Yes, you read that correctly.

But Eskimo fans take heart. Last season, Edmonton jumped out of the starting gate with a 7-0 record. Then they lost six in a row before winning five straight and going into the playoffs the hottest team in the league. They won the semifinal versus Winnipeg, losing the Western Final in Calgary. Two years ago, their pattern was lose three, win three, lose three, win three. They beat Hamilton in the eastern semi and then lost to Ottawa in the final.

Edmonton’s remaining games are at Saskatchewan, home to Ottawa, off to B.C., home to the Bombers. They trail the Riders by four, are even with Winnipeg and ahead of B.C. by two. While they are toiling at Mosaic this Thanksgiving weekend, their rivals play Eastern teams.

A month ago, after the Blue Bombers were swept by the Roughies for their fourth loss in a row, with the fans preparing tar and feather for both quarterback Matt Nichols and coach Mike O’Shea, I pretty much wrote them off. They have momentum but a tough schedule, away in Ottawa and Edmonton, home to Saskatchewan, and Calgary.

The only team that can beat the Stampeders is the Stampeders. However, as history shows, they are quite good at that.

Graham Kelly has covered the CFL for the Medicine Hat News for 46 years. Feedback for this column can be emailed to sports@medicinehatnews.com.