Hervey seeks consistency
Esks GM upset after O-line gave up 5 sacks in pre-season tilt
SPRUCE GROVE — In the third week of training camp, Ed Hervey might have to go out into the trenches with a lighter and hold it under the Edmonton Eskimos’ offensive line.
After his team’s 31-24 preseason loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday, the first-year GM said he’d like to see more consistency from his O-line before his team’s Canadian Football League season kicks off on June 29.
“There was some good and there were some concerns, particularly on the right side,” Hervey said of what he saw from his O-line on Friday.
“But again, they’re in good hands with coach (Kris) Sweet and the staff but … we want to see improvement day-today, especially from some of our veteran players.”
The Eskimos gave up five sacks on Friday, with three coming in the first half with their first-unit O-line on the field. The second unit gave up two sacks, but offered little resistance to the Riders at points in the second half.
“Consistency is what we’re looking for, from everyone,” Hervey said.
“When we review the film of our offensive line, they’re being reviewed two ways — as a group and individually. We look at some individual performances and we expect improvement every day, especially from those players who wore the uniform here last season.”
Hervey had said before training camp started that his Oline would be closely watched in training camp and put the group on notice, pointing to years of less-than-satisfactory work in his eyes. After the team completed its medicals on June 1, Hervey released veteran centre Kyle Koch and a pair of tackles, in Joel Bell and Dale Stevenson.
Stevenson signed with the Calgary Stampeders on June 11.
Hervey didn’t rule out the idea of making more moves with his O-linemen.
“There’s been some discussions about a few guys, possibly making a change here … but whatever helps us improve our football team, we will do,” he said. “If that means that a player or two … that we know as somewhat familiar to people (are moved)? If it helps us improve we will do that.”
Hervey appears to be putting the heat on right guard Simeon Rottier, the only veteran player on the right side of the line.
With all five players on the line — left tackle Cliff Louis, left guard Matt O’Donnell, centre Gord Hinse, Rottier at right guard and Cliff Louis at right tackle — either learning new positions or learning teammates, Hervey noted that there is a need for patience with the players. To an extent.
“They have to jell and we’re not going to rush them per se, but there is a sense of urgency because the season does start here in a couple of weeks,” he said.
“There’s no such thing as a pre-season injury that you can come back from for the regular season. We want to make sure we can protect our quarterback here in the preseason and have that follow through, carry through to the regular season.”