Even after becoming the 2015 Grey Cup champs, plenty of off-season work has Ed Hervey and the Edmonton Eskimos reloading before the 2016 regular season hunt. The exodus of the Chris Jones led coaching staff has been seen by some as a major blow to the Edmonton Eskimos. Enter Jason Maas as the new 2016 head coach and highly touted offensive coordinator, even if he has a thin resume as a first year head coach.
The offensive scheme will change under Maas and will certainly be an upgrade over the previous coordinator McAdoo’s risk-averse offence, which featured a short passing and run game. Under McAdoo the Eskimos offense for one and two-thirds seasons was largely anemic, and as its critics pointed out, it was largely predictable, consistently locking onto Bowman. It was only after McAdoo finally inserted Walker and moved Stafford inside that the Eskimos went downfield and put defences on their heels with a deep attack.
Eskimo Empire Offensive Jedi
If Maas’s time in Ottawa is any indication, the Eskimos will employ a flexible spread offense, with more vertical tendencies, allowing the quarterback to read and react. While this type of offence would not have been fathomable in Edmonton two seasons ago, with their current personnel it is now possible. The O-line was once the weakness of the team, but is now deep and skilled in pass protection, anchored by left tackle Tony Washington, right guard Matt O’Donnell, and right tackle D’Anthony Batiste.
This now veteran-laden group has Greaves and Rottier both ready to compete at left guard, with Groulx penciled in behind O’Donnell. In 2015 the O-Line was the biggest reason why the Eskimos improved into become Grey Cup contenders. While this group lost Simmons to free agency, it is rumored that they have signed NCAA Arizona’s monster 6’ 7” and 315 lb international tackle Fabbians “Mr. Reliable” Ebbele. Finally this group is good enough to be asked to hold their blocks a little longer while Mike Reilly makes his reads.
Make no mistake: this is Mike “The Warrior” Reilly’s team, now a veteran starting quarterback, who transitioned from running quarterback to more of a pocket passer last season. Under Maas he will be expected to hang in the pocket to deliver the ball and will be poised for a run at MOP within a more dynamic offence. Backup James Franklin should also benefit from the Maas effect, with the younger quarterback being part of a strong tandem.
Edmonton Eskimos Reloading with Ballers and Burners
The good news is Jacoby Ford and Joe McKnight have been signed to complement CFL All-Star Adarius Bowman and 2015 Most Outstanding Rookie Derel Walker. Ford, who once ran a 4.2 / 40 in the NFL Combine, has far more speed than free agent Kenny Stafford, and will be a dangerous weapon for Reilly on the larger CFL field. McKnight, an All-Pro with the Jetsm, also possesses 4.4 / 40 speed can play slotback, running back, and kick returner; he’s an upgrade over free agent Kendial Lawrence as long as he is healthy. Sederrik Cunningham, another player with 4.4 / 40 speed, is also in the mix as a slotback, wide receiver, and kick returner. In short, the Eskimos receiving corps have the speed to stretch the field in multiple directions on the field side of the offense.
While some naysayers wonder why the Eskimos signed Chris Getzlaf, he can play an insurance policy and mentor role, similar to Paris Jackson’s while he was with the Eskimos. Working on the boundary side as a possession receiver with Coehoorn and Watson, Getzlaf can mentor Johnson and Bailey; the latter has the potential to emerge as a starting wide receiver. The resigning of John White at running back, along with Bell and Shavers, gives the Esks formidable run game in 2016. All three also have good hands and can be used to catch the ball out of the backfield, giving Reilly yet another set of weapons.
All things considered the Edmonton Eskimos are loaded with weapons on offence, and should challenge for the #1 offence in the CFL in 2016.
Discounting Benny a Fool’s Errand
Much has been made of the departure of Chris Jones and the void it created at defensive coordinator. Jones played a high risk and reward defense that used mostly man coverage with cover 1 and cover 0 blitzes. Maas selected as his assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Mike Benevides, who won a Grey Cup in 2011 as a defensive coordinator and brings 15 years of CFL coaching experience. Benevides is smart and will likely emulate the attacking defense from last year, but with necessary adjustments to keep opposing offences honest. While many offensive coordinators will be scheming to attack Jones’s risky defence, it is actually advantageous for the Eskimos to play a less risky defence in 2016.
Depth Provides Next Man Up
The biggest change to the defence will be at linebacker with the departure of Dexter McCoil and Otha Foster. The positive news is that the sure tackling middle linebacker JC Sherritt has been re-signed. Next to Sherritt on the wide side will be Deon Lacey who brings tenacity, giving Benevides defensive bite similar to Adam Bighill in 2012. Detractors complain about Lacey’s gamesmanship, but he is poised for a monster season. Ed Hervey recently made mention of Kacy Rodgers II, who was signed in July to the practice roster; as Foster did the previous year, Rodgers will get a shot on the short side as the next man up. Rodgers had a solid career at Miami U and has something to prove in pro football.
Deion Belue, the Crimson Tide’s top cover defensive back, will get a shot to fill the void left by free agent Aaron Grymes. UCLA’s Aaron Hester, who the Eskimos signed last October, is also spending time on the practice roster. If either Belue or Rodgers, falter Hester provides another top option. Belue or Hester will be next to top corner John Ojo, giving the Eskimos a top shutdown cover tandem beside Rodgers. Add in veteran Watkins at corner and Young at defensive back on the opposite side, and the Edmonton secondary will be solid in 2016.
Monsters and Demons of the D-Line
The key on defence is re-signed defensive tackle Amondo Sewell, a CFL All-Star, partnered with Eddie Steele to collapse the offensive line. With Willis and Howard on the ends, the pass rush is strong, but the loss of Willie Jefferson hurts the depth of the D-Line. An opportunity exists to take national defensive end and exceptional athlete Trent Corney, from Virginia, with the #8 2016 pick.
Et Tu, Chicken Little?
The truth is the Eskimos’ core is intact, along with planned depth and a solid personnel program that continue to fill any roster voids. Add in the fact that the coaching staff is a mix of experience and innovative thinkers; so why do some think the sky is falling over Commonwealth? There is no demise of the Eskies, no rebuild in the YEG, just reloading for the hunt. Expect the road to the Grey Cup to go through Edmonton again this year.
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