Edmonton Eskimos training camp battles bring the inevitable change and the competition that brings with each new CFL season. Every CFL fan thinks their football team is a contender at this time of year. However, many media types outside of the YEG have lowered their expectations of the Grey Cup Champions for 2016 after their recent coaching change.
Edmonton Eskimos Training Camp Battles
While it is true that Chris Jones is a hardworking, knowledgeable and creative head coach, it is also true that coaches don’t strap on the pads to make plays. In essence, if a coach doesn’t have the talent their efforts can be wasted. Luckily for the equally hardworking, knowledgeable and creative head coach Jason Maas is that the Esks remain fairly deep at most positions coming into training camp. Notwithstanding the opinions of those trying to sell opposition jerseys or TV ads, for the open minded the Edmonton Eskimos training camp battles and associated adjustments to the roster is intriguing.
Sam Linebacker and Safety
Camp opens on May 28th with medicals, and on field on the 29th. Mike Benevides presides over the camp battles on the Eskimos defense. The first question to be solved for the Esks in training camp is what to do at the strong linebacker position? In 2014 under Jones, the starting strong or sam linebacker was Eric Samuels, then shifted to Alonzo Lawrence, giving way in 2015 to Ryan Hinds and eventually settling on Otha Foster. The Edmonton Eskimos’ training camp battle for the sam linebacker position continues in 2016 with Foster’s departure.
Will Benevides take a look at national safety as Jones did with Cauchy Muamba in 2015 pre-season, or will former practice roster player Kacy Rodgers II and newly signed Darryl McBride, Jr. be the focus at sam linebacker during camp?
Rodgers at 6’ 1” 213 pound 4.5 /40 running strong safety who can cover and tackle has the inside track after being on the practice roster for year similar to his predecessor Otha Foster. It also helps the University of Miami and Michigan product has a head for football being the son of former CFLer and current New York Jets defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers Sr.
However, former University of Hawaii strong safety McBride should not be discounted, even if he is brand new to the CFL. After a short stint with the Philadelphia Eagles, McBride played ball last year for the semi-pro Southern Oregon Renegades of the Pacific Football League where he also served as the team’s playing defensive coordinator.
The wild card is 6’ 3” 220 pound Mike Dubuisson, who at 24 years of age and two seasons of special teams and backup work could be ready for the next level. Benevides will take a long look at the battle between Dubuisson and Muamba, but it seems like it is time for Dubuisson to step up and win the job.
Dubuisson is heavy hitter who played in the West Final against Calgary and in the Grey Cup against Ottawa at safety. Selected in the 2014 supplemental draft, the Eskimos remain high on Dubuisson and he has the size and speed to play safety. After two years of learning, Dubuisson is ready to be the starter at safety and his long term upside gives him the edge in the 2016 camp to do just that.
Give the sam linebacker edge to Rodgers, with McBride as the alternative who will be developed as the next man in the depth chart. Dubuisson will have every chance to win the starting job at safety, allowing Muamba to be used in different positions as the situation requires.
Halfback, Defensive Back
For the most part, Marcell Young, Pat Watkins and John Ojo should all remain starters in the secondary, even though Watkins is now 33 years old. However, the second question to be solved for the Esks in camp is who takes over for, one of the best cover defensive backs in the CFL last year, Aaron Grymes?
One has to consider that the Esks have left the door open for Grymes and that he up against tough competition in Philadelphia, meaning a return by Labour Day is possible. Until then, recently signed former B.C. Lions defensive back Cord Parks who will battle second-year Eskimo and Alabama Crimson Tide product Deion Belue, both 5’11” tall and are under 185 pounds.
At 24 years old Belue has youth on his side, but he lacks experienced as a pro. The book on Belue is that he has an aggressive mindset, good footwork, 4.5 / 40 speed and maintains good body position throughout the route. In essence he plays a lot like Grymes and has had a year to get a feel for CFL motion.
Conversely Parks at 29 years old and has time as a starter with the Lions in addition to NFL experience with a number of teams. Under 2013 Lions head coach Benevides, Parks a former CFL west all-star showed that he was a heavy hitter who could use his 4.4 / 40 speed to contribute six interceptions and three tackles for a loss. His play dropped off somewhat in 2014 with only one interception and four tackles for a loss, eventually leading the Lions to part ways with Parks.
Given his experience and the fact the Parks once flourished under coach Benevides, Parks now has the inside track at the starter’s job. However, don’t count Belue out as he comes from a Nick Saban led program that graduates high quality defensive backs. The choice between the two will come down to the fit in style of play and need of the scheme.
All things considered Belue is the closest in style to Grymes and should win the starting field side defensive back job, but this one is too close to tell.
Will Linebacker and Defensive Line
For the most part the defensive line is set with starters with Eddie Steele, Almondo Sewell and Odell Willis, as is middle linebacker with JC Sherritt. There will be plenty of Edmonton Eskimos training camp battles behind this starting group, but the most thought-provoking potential defensive line adjustment being 2013 second-ranked and number 10 pick overall Stefan Charles joining the Eskies for Labour Day. Additionally, newly signed former LSU Tiger and Houston Texan pass rusher Sam Montgomery and Georgia Tech‘s Jabari Hunt-Days will both get an opportunity to push Marcus Howard.
The third question that Benevides will address in camp will be who replace Dexter McCoil? The answer is easy: West Alabama’s 6’ 2” 295 pound Deon Lacey, who at 25 years old will bring energy, tenacity and 4.4 speed to the will linebacker position. However, the position is not set in stone and battling Lacey at linebacker will be Wyoming’s 6’ 2” 233 lb veteran Korey Jones and 6’0” 223 lb national rookie Doug Parrish, along with second year Esks national 6’ 2” 225 lb Adam Knoar.
Stay Tuned …
As these camp battles progress and the regular season nears it will be interesting to see how the Edmonton Eskimos training camp battles led to the evolution of the 2016 version of the Eskimos.
In part 2 of this series, we’ll preview the camp battles on the offensive side of the ball for the Eskimos.
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