Many Ottawa fans were upset when Jason Maas left to become the Edmonton Eskimos head coach. Ottawa and CFL fans know that Maas turned a terrible offence in 2014 to one of the best in 2015. Ottawa fans were angry about Maas leaving, but LWOS did some intense research looking at new offensive coordinator Jaime Elizondo and his résumé. So here is what Elizondo can bring to his new team.
Jaime Elizondo’s Timeline
Elizondo started his coaching career at Hofstra, south of the border, and there he was the wide receiver coach and special teams coach. Elizondo led wide receiver Marques Colston to the NFL, among others.
In 2008, Elizondo jumped to the CFL as the wide receiver coach for the Montreal Alouettes. There Elizondo’s receivers dominated the CFL with three All-Stars in Ben Cahoon, Kerry Watkins and Jamel Richardson. They were also three of the top five in CFL for receiving yards. The Alouettes led the CFL in passing yards, total yards and scoring that year. Elizondo’s receivers were blessed with having a quarterback by the name of Anthony Calvillo.
Immediately after the 2008 season Elizondo was hired by Doug Marrone to be the receivers coach for the Syracuse Orange. There he coached wide receiver Mike Williams to 746 receiving yards, which led the team, and seven receivers had 100 or more yards, while nine receivers had 10 or more catches. Although Williams was a finalist for top receiver in the NCAA, Elizondo developed the other receivers, too.
In 2010 and 2011, Elizondo was named the offensive co-ordinator for the Toronto Argonauts. Elizondo led Toronto to an average offensive game but really called safe passes and runs.
Elizondo coached at Columbia University from 2012 to 2014, before returning to the Argonauts as the OC last season.
Jaime Elizondo’s Effect on the Ottawa Redblacks
After watching film on the Toronto Argonauts from the 2010 and 2011 season, it was clear that Elizondo and Maas are different, but that doesn’t mean the former is worse. So relax fans, there is nothing wrong with this move. Elizondo can be what you call a “safe” offensive co-ordinator, he doesn’t like the risky 50/50 play that could be intercepted, but rather the high percentage run or throw.
Elizondo loves running the ball, and running it up the middle – a perfect role for William Powell. The running back in his offence also acts as an “extra” offensive lineman as he likes using him and fullback to block which will set up the receivers to get a bit more downfield. Following that point, you will rarely see Elizondo’s offence call a deep pass. When he does, it normally is after a play action to hopefully bring the linebackers in, and then go deep. Elizondo uses the high percentage pass like a slant route or wheel route pass for a 5-15 yard gain. It will be interesting to see if he uses the big four receivers in Brad Sinopoli, Chris Williams, Greg Ellingson and Ernest Jackson, who have done trick plays and deep passes in Maas’ offence.
When his offence was in the red zone you often see just runs up the middle as he doesn’t want to risk throwing an interception and taking away points. Something Elizondo does a lot which, and Redblacks fans will love, is you will almost never see the running back start his run going East-West rather running North-South the whole time.
Elizondo’s offence should be a good one for Ottawa as he will have many roles for the players which many already seem certain. When Elizondo calls the WR screens, it will be a picture perfect role for Jackson, who is physical and can break tackles to get the extra yardage.
Another play perfect role is for Sinopoli, who will be the slant passes receiver and quarterback Henry Burris can find Sinopoli in the middle and hopefully break a tackle to get more yards.
Williams’ role will be when Elizondo uses a play action to a bubble screen pass to find Williams at or near the line of scrimmage, with hopefully a lot of room.
Ellingson will be that all-around receiver which can do all the roles and more. Powell and Patrick Lavoie will be the main blockers, while Powell will be the physical running back that thrives in Elizondo’s system. Lavoie will be that tight end who blocks and can catch the ball too.
In short Elizondo will help the Redblack offence mightily as he uses a safe approach that won’t turn the ball over a lot. Looking at Elizondo’s past, his best offensive calling years is when his running back dominates. Statistically speaking in most cases Elizondo uses two quarterbacks which is good for Ottawa with Trevor Harris and Burris. So relax Ottawa fans you will be fine with Elizondo as your offensive coordinator, and still score a lot of points.
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