Eskimos brass hit road looking for U.S. talent

Considering they are averaging the loss of at least two American starters to the NFL over the past two seasons, the Edmonton Eskimos are turning their focus to restocking the shelves.

Beginning Saturday, coaches and scouting staff will take to the road to begin their annual circuit of open tryouts throughout the United States.

The first of 12 stops currently on the slate will be at the Payne Stewart Athletic Complex in Orlando, Fla., before heading to Atlanta’s Grady Stadium on Sunday.

“We’ll have over two dozen tryout camps this year and they will, obviously, strategically be in areas that we feel have been good to us and good to other teams,” said Eskimos general manager Ed Hervey. “We’ll also be in areas twice in the year, one at the early start and one right before the mini-camp.”

This year’s mini-camp, which is the destination hopeful tryout participants will look to receive an invitation to, is regularly held in mid-April, prior to the opening of CFL training camps at the end of May.

The Eskimos are moving their normal headquarters for the fourday event from their usual destinations in Florida to Las Vegas this spring, in order to facilitate travel and expenses.

“We find that some guys are not in the best shape at the time, but then given a second opportunity, they work on the things that need to be worked on and given a second look,” Hervey said. “Whether it’s in front of coaches or more staff, we give that a second look.”

The Eskimos are hardly alone in their southern search for overlooked diamonds in the rough.

“Like anything, you have to go out and work hard,” Hervey said. “I think everyone is doing that and finding guys that they want, and if you can find a couple guys out there that can contribute, I think it just makes your team better.”

Andthatseemstobethepreferred method of replacing talent on the roster for Hervey, who was pretty quiet when free agency opened, outside of re-signing a handful of his own players. Although, earlier this week, the Eskimos announced the addition of Toronto Argonauts free agent linebacker Cory Greenwood, who spent three seasons with the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs prior to leading the Argos with 70 defensive tackles last season.

Instead of making a big-name, free-agent splash, the Eskimos would rather rely on the slow roll of a constant tide of American players to build around heading into the CFL draft each year. The 2017 edition will be held on May 7.

At the same time, the open tryouts are all about quality, not quantity.

“We don’t really search for the numbers,” Hervey said. “Obviously, the more numbers you get, the more opportunities you get to evaluate the player, but there’s so much competition from other teams. We’re all going to the same places.

“But you have to be able to identify what you’re looking for. I think that’s really critical in your search, being able to identify a guy that you think has potential and the ability to play.”

Of course, more often than not, it’s easier said than done.

“I’ve seen guys have their best day (at an open tryout) and not perform in mini-camp,” he added. “And guys have OK days that you’re not quite sure you want to bring in, and they turn out to be CFL all-stars.

“So you have to be willing to trust what you and your scouts, and the people that are out there, see. When they get to mini-camp, that’s when you find the players get an opportunity to work with the coaches to learn what they’re doing. And, more importantly, showcase that they have an ability and an aptitude to be consistent.

“If they’re able to do that and get to training camp, then the chips fall where they may.”