Eskimos leaning on linemen against archrival Stampeders
EDMONTON (CP) — Defensive lineman Almondo Sewell had just one quarterback sack for the Edmonton Eskimos through the first 11 games of the CFL season, and that came in the season opener.
A dramatic decline from 2016, when he recorded 11 sacks in 18 games.
Then, like a sleeping giant being awaken, the 6-foot-4, 288-pound, seven-year veteran found his legs and his power and the “old” Almondo was back. He’s recorded a sack in five straight games — a statistic he says is due mostly to being healthy.
The Eskimos’ Most Outstanding defensive player in 2016 and a West Division all-star for a fifth straight season, the Jamaica native had trouble getting to quarterbacks through most of the year because he just wasn’t physically up to it.
“I’m a power guy, so half my moves I couldn’t do,” he said this week as the Eskimos prepared for tonight’s game against the Calgary Stampeders. “I can finally do it all now, go full speed.”
Which is great news for the Eskimos as they seek a fourth straight win to keep alive their hopes of finishing second in the West.
Sewell’s re-emergence as a serious pressure presence in the middle, along with linemate Euclid Cummings, has been a key factor to the Eskimos snapping their mid-season six-game losing streak.
“They’re both very physical, athletic big men and they complement each other very well,” coach Jason Maas said. “That middle pressure, it’s extremely important. You have two guys who can race off the edge and do different things, and people are always worried about that.”
The 13-2-1 Stampeders top the West Division standings and are on track to allow the fewest sacks in the CFL (21) for the fifth straight season.
The Eskimos, who have running back C.J. Gable back in the lineup after missing last weekend’s overtime win over the B.C. Lions, have their eyes focused on four more wins.
“We’re saying we have to win four in a row . . . that will get us to the Grey Cup,” said Sewell. “But right now, this is like a momentum thing for us. Beat Calgary, we keep our momentum going, still have that home-field advantage opportunity.”