New GM Hervey to steer Eskimos back to old values
Ed Hervey wants the Edmonton Eskimos to get back to their roots.
After spending eight years as a wide receiver with the Green and Gold between 1999 and 2006, as well as six years as a scout in the organization — including the last four years as head scout — Hervey was announced as the Eskimos new general manager Monday afternoon at Commonwealth Stadium.
The hiring came nearly a year to the day after the trading away of franchise quarterback Ricky Ray to the Toronto Argonauts by Hervey’s predecessor, Eric Tillman. He was fired ahead of the Eskimos’ 42-26 playoff loss to Toronto on Nov. 11. The hiring was a much-needed boost for an organization that has sputtered in recent years.
“I would equate it to being somewhat unpredictable over the last few seasons and I want to create an environment with (head) coach (Kavis) Reed’s help to stabilize it,” explained Hervey, who edged out Reed and two other finalists for the job. “We’re just going to do things a way we’re accustomed to doing them here in Edmonton — the right way.”
“We’re all used to the Eskimos being unified. I believe over the last couple of seasons it became different around here, but those days are done. We’re going to now move in a different direction — a direction we’re more accustomed to. The double ‘E’ stands for the Edmonton Eskimos, not the ego empire.”
While Hervey didn’t want to “kick dirt” on Tillman and the job he did during a tumultuous two-and-a-half-season reign as GM, the new GM’s hard feelings for his former boss were impossible to mask.
“There wasn’t one,” Hervey said of his relationship with Tillman.
“I was working for the organization doing everything I could for this football team to win and all the work that I would put in was for the Edmonton Eskimos.
“I went home and I slept well at night knowing that I was working for the Eskimos and I did everything I could to help the Eskimos win. I wasn’t interested in helping someone build their ego.”
For Hervey, getting back to the organization’s culture of success and stability will be a key, as the franchise once considered by many to be the CFL’s best tries to move forward.
Mike Reilly recommended Adam Bighill to the B.C. Lions, and that sage advice probably will serve as the former’s last- ing legacy to the Canadian Football League club.
Reilly, the Lions’ backup quarterback, will seek out new frontiers when the CFL’s free-agency period begins Feb. 15. Bighill, meanwhile, is put- ting down roots in the Lower Mainland after agreeing to a two-year contract extension that will be announced Tuesday.