Defence will have hands full with tough Esks receiving corps
Let’s just agree the most dangerous aspect of the Edmonton Eskimos’ offence is the passing game constructed on the talents of quarterback Mike Reilly and a receiving corps highlighted by Adarius Bowman, Derel Walker and Brandon Zylstra.
Ottawa Redblacks defenders know it, too. They witnessed firsthand Bowman’s 19 receptions for 202 yards in two regular-season matchups, and he led the Canadian Football League overall with 120 catches for 1,761 yards this year. Walker ranked second in both catches (109) and receiving yards (1,589), including 10 for 175 yards against Ottawa.
Zylstra played just six games late in the regular season, neither against the Redblacks, but still ranked third among Eskimos with 508 receiving yards on 34 catches.
“I respect their receiving corps just because of making it this far and having those types of guys on their team,” said Jonathan Rose, who was an East Division all-star with fellow Redblacks cornerback Mitchell White and halfback Abdul Kanneh. “And I take it as a challenge.
“We made it up to this point, too. We had an up-and-down season as a team and as a secondary, so I feel like this is what we’ve been waiting for. We’re waiting for the big stage to come out here and execute against a great receiving corps.”
The Eskimos edged the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a thrilling East Division semifinal Sunday primarily because of strong defence and tailback John White, who rushed for a franchise-record 160 yards. Bowman, Walker and Zylstra had three catches each for 114 total yards.
On the other hand, the Redblacks stifled White during their regularseason confrontations.
Jerrell Gavins, a Redblacks linebacker, said there was no mystery behind what it would take to take the air out of the Eskimos’ passing attack in the East final Sunday.
“It doesn’t have anything to do with play-calling, it doesn’t have anything to do with the wind, the weather,” Gavins said Friday. “It’s
It’s simplicity. There’s a guy in front of me and it’s a battle. The best man will win. That’s all it’s about.
simplicity. There’s a guy in front of me and it’s a battle. The best man will win. “That’s all it’s about.” Reilly was banged up in the semifinal against the Ticats, but is expected to start Sunday. Rose said he still expected the Eskimos quarterback’s best.
“As far as the receiving corps, there are only so many routes you can do,” Rose said. “We have to cover those routes. We know they have great receivers, so we are focused on winning our one-on-one battles.”