Elks: Edmonton Eskimos 2019 v5

[MoontoScott]

At no point did I think the Eskimos were going to win a labor day game with this roster. The leadership and comradery is also falling apart. Even the D does not seem as tight and confident as it once did.

I was so disinterested in the match that I just enjoyed the day outside, good weather, sun shining, no way was I gonna sit indoors and watch another **** kicking. Which it was. The Esks were NEVER in this game.

lol that our production was even worse in 2nd half as Calgary was less intense and just running the clock out. Stamps called the horses out entirely in 4th quarter as they had already won.

Watched the PVR of the game yesterday before bed and fell asleep countless times. Should not have bothered ever waking up.

Other than the D theres just no reason to watch, period. Theres not one offensive player we have that I would bother with going forward. Not one. Only good players on offense are on the Oline.

Nice perfect tip up of an easy catch By Collins to gift the Stamps an interception. Mistakes like that occur far too frequently with this club and negate any plays made.

You did well to enjoy the sunshine because you didn't miss too much in the way of EE touchdowns.

Did anybody on the thread read Terry Jones column today "Eskimos looked horrible...." He went on and on about it but did not so much as mention Maas ---even in passing (pardon the pun).

 

[guymez]

How much longer do you think that this will be tolerated? Maas and Sunderland are tight so I wonder if it doesn't go on for another 3 years? A touch of sarcasm here obviously but I just don't get it--call me frustrated. The Calgary papers are predictably crowing this morning about the "dismantlement" of the Esks. How can you objectively argue with them?? We were never really in the game.

I think the papers are spot on...the Esks were absolutely dismantled.
They had no answer on offence...the defence had virtually no pressure on the Stamps QB. Bagelton had his way with the Eskimo defence as well.
Aside from the meaningless stat of total yards (meaningless because most of it is between the 20 yard lines) there wasnt a single aspect of that game (statistically) that the Stamps didnt clearly own.

The score flattered the Esks...it was a beat down and it was entirely predictable.
It was accomplished with a rusty BLM who for some strange reason gets no respect from most Eskimo fans.

I dont know how long the team keeps Maas on as HC. That embarrassing playoff decision and the teenage mentality that Maas employed to deal with the fallout wasnt enough to get him fired so I honestly dont know how bad this has to get before he is held accountable.

How nice would it be to cheer for a team thats run in a professional manner like the Stampeders.
We can only dream.

 

[Drivesaitl]

BLM was very good. He sure loves beating us. His touch pass on the last TD was very impressive. PERFECT ball and he dropped it in like magic, hit the receiver in perfect stride on a quick strike play. Toying with us. He could have burned the secondary all day. We weren't even stopping the run, and everybody stops the Stamps running the ball this year. The stamps had at least 50 of the rushing yards which were "wasn't touched".

Even the D are slowly becoming divided and giving up the ghost. This team as a whole is not believing.

Oddly Money Hunter was one of the better Eskimos. I feel dirty stating that.

 

[MoontoScott]

I think the papers are spot on...the Esks were absolutely dismantled.
They had no answer on offence...the defence had virtually no pressure on the Stamps QB. Bagelton had his way with the Eskimo defence as well.
Aside from the meaningless stat of total yards (meaningless because most of it is between the 20 yard lines) there wasnt a single aspect of that game (statistically) that the Stamps didnt clearly own.

The score flattered the Esks...it was a beat down and it was entirely predictable.
It was accomplished with a rusty BLM who for some strange reason gets no respect from most Eskimo fans.

I dont know how long the team keeps Maas on as HC. That embarrassing playoff decision and the teenage mentality that Maas employed to deal with the fallout wasnt enough to get him fired so I honestly dont know how bad this has to get before he is held accountable.

How nice would it be to cheer for a team thats run in a professional manner like the Stampeders.
We can only dream.

That's it exactly--- "professional manner" and it really shows on the field (apart from the big white placards). Look at how well the Stamps were prepared and look at how they completely neutralized the EE pass rush. They had their offensive blocking schemes down to a science. BLM wasn't touched and their running game tore it up for 200+ yards. Textbook blocking.

In his column today, Jones should have raised this question-- why does one team always seem so prepared on Labor Day and the other one looks so dispirited and confused?

The EE brought in a lot of talent in the offseason--even on offence. Daniels, Ellingson and Collins are all solid. So let's flush 3/4 of the team in the off season and bring in more new guys to see if there is any real difference in terms of results.

As for BLM my only problem with him is that he isn't wearing green and gold. He's in his prime and will be around for another 5-6 seasons on Labour Day.

 

[guymez]

That's it exactly--- "professional manner" and it really shows on the field (apart from the big white placards). Look at how well the Stamps were prepared and look at how they completely neutralized the EE pass rush. They had their offensive blocking schemes down to a science. BLM wasn't touched and their running game tore it up for 200+ yards. Textbook blocking.

In his column today, Jones should have raised this question-- why does one team always seem so prepared on Labor Day and the other one looks so dispirited and confused?

The EE brought in a lot of talent in the offseason--even on offence. Daniels, Ellingson and Collins are all solid. So let's flush 3/4 of the team in the off season and bring in more new guys to see if there is any real difference in terms of results.

The last paragraph is so critical IMO. Maas is coaching in such a way that he is helping to neutralize the talent.
He is making it easier for the defences. This is especially noticeable when the Esks play a quality team.

 

[Cloned]

Well...you have gone from 100% blaming Harris (that he should overcome aspects of his game at 33 years old) and absolving Maas to sharing the blame between Maas and Harris.

If you PVR'ed the game I suggest you watch it again. You will notice a couple of things.
First and foremost the Calgary defenders were well coached for the dink and dunk offence that Maas calls. They defended it perfectly. Often times Harris was having to find a receiver that didnt have a defender with inside position.
Secondly Maas rarely if ever tried to stretch the field.

Oh and BTW...Maas was the OC for most of the time Harris was in Ottawa as well.
It doesnt matter who the QB is if the OC doesnt understand how to call an offence that doesnt play to the strengths of the offence and doesnt stubbornly stick to a formula that doesnt work.
Expecting Harris to overcome the OC is ridiculous IMO.

Why Maas still has a job after the playoff debacle a few years a go is beyond me.

When did I ever absolve Maas of all blame?

 

[guymez]

When did I ever absolve Maas of all blame?

Thats fair.
Looking back at your posts it wasnt 100% but your focus was mostly on Harris and Maas was a secondary consideration.
I think you have it backwards.

Harris has to take some of the blame but Maas has to carry the vast majority of the responsibility here.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Its easy enough to differentiate fault.

Coaching for limited adjustment, limited schemes, limited plays, and not having enough answers.

Players for piss poor execution, passing right into coverage, no hit rushing plays, Harris running right into the only opponent in the backfield on a two rush play lolol or Gable on a second and short doing a freeze stutter step instead of just hitting the opening that was right there for a 3-4 yd gain. Our leading receiver tipping an easy ball up for an easy pick. So many instances in the game of failed execution. To the point of the players not even trying (Gable)

Plays devised can be questioned. But the execution by this offense is beating hardly anybody.
The execution wasn't even giving a chance for the devised plays to work, in fairness. (but the reverse could be stated)

so back to chicken and egg..

 

[Cloned]

Thats fair.
Looking back at your posts it wasnt 100% but your focus was mostly on Harris and Maas was a secondary consideration.
I think you have it backwards.

Harris has to take some of the blame but Maas has to carry the vast majority of the responsibility here.

One of the first things I did after criticizing Harris was criticizing Maas.

 

[guymez]

One of the first things I did after criticizing Harris was criticizing Maas.

As I said...in terms of the percentage of blame I think you have it backwards.

 

[bone]

Too mad about yesterday to go back and read through the comments. But they are officially in trouble. The defense deserves their share of criticism as they can't seem to stop the run even against a below average run team like Calgary, but the offense is officially into meltdown.

So far this season, the Eskimos offense has ZERO touchdowns against any Western team currently in the playoffs when they scrimmage the ball on the oppositions side of the field. This feeble stat is over a 4 game sample. No team can claim to have a strong offense and put that kind of statistic up.

(edited to add: Sorry it was pointed out that they did get a 26 yarder in the first Calgary game. However, in the same vein, they haven't scored a major from the red zone against a team currently in a playoff spot since Game 1 vs. Montreal. 9 consecutive fails. Overall they are 2-12 against playoff teams at converting in the red zone.)

If they can't grind out a touchdown against a good western opponent, they have no chance of getting a playoff spot in the West and may be at risk at losing the cross over to Ottawa as they still have 3 more games against the good Western opponents and 2 more against a pretty strong Hamilton team in the East and another game head to head against the RedBlacks in Ottawa. Meanwhile, Ottawa has 3 games against Toronto and 2 against BC in their final 8 games.

Factoring all of that in, with probable results over the next few weeks, Edmonton and Ottawa could very well be tied going into that matchup in 4 weeks. Between now and then, Edmonton plays Calgary (who just outclassed them) and Hamilton (9-2). Ottawa plays Toronto 1-9 and then back to back vs. BC (1-9).

Though playoffs seemed a certainty only two weeks ago, it can change really quick unless the team can shake off these jitters against the teams at the top of the league.

 

[rboomercat90]

I’ve stated Maas should have unquestionably been fired after that Western Final game two seasons ago and nothing has changed my mind since. I also think it’s reasonable to question Harris’ ability after what we’ve seen from him too. He is afraid to get hit and that is affecting how the offence is being run and executed. That doesn’t absolve Maas from anything. It just points out that there is a lot to be changed heading into next season. The changes shouldn’t stop there either as Gable is another one who isn’t doing anything to keep his spot either.

What I’m most curious about in the second half of the season is seeing if Maas makes any attempt to see what we might have in the other two quarterbacks we have on the roster (whoever they might be. I honestly have no clue), if Harris continues to struggle. It was bad enough when he refused to do it when Reilly was still here, there’d be even less reason not to do it now.

 

[MoontoScott]

I’ve stated Maas should have unquestionably been fired after that Western Final game two seasons ago and nothing has changed my mind since. I also think it’s reasonable to question Harris’ ability after what we’ve seen from him too. He is afraid to get hit and that is affecting how the offence is being run and executed. That doesn’t absolve Maas from anything. It just points out that there is a lot to be changed heading into next season. The changes shouldn’t stop there either as Gable is another one who isn’t doing anything to keep his spot either.

What I’m most curious about in the second half of the season is seeing if Maas makes any attempt to see what we might have in the other two quarterbacks we have on the roster (whoever they might be. I honestly have no clue), if Harris continues to struggle. It was bad enough when he refused to do it when Reilly was still here, there’d be even less reason not to do it now.

Briscoe was impressive in the pre-season but last I saw he was parked on the practice roster.

Regardless, do you think a guy as stubborn as Maas is going to sit Harris for a while and let the back-ups play? I would have to say that the answer is "unlikely."

 

[rboomercat90]

Briscoe was impressive in the pre-season but last I saw he was parked on the practice roster.

Regardless, do you think a guy as stubborn as Maas is going to sit Harris for a while and let the back-ups play? I would have to say that the answer is "unlikely."

I’m not going to get into another discussion about how stupid I think Mass is but refusing to do that again in a few weeks time if the team is still struggling and the season gets away from them again will be another big example of that.

I don’t know if he will or not and that’s what I’m curious about. I didn’t buy the excuse in the past that the team owed a struggling Reilly the chance to stay in games when nothing was working or when the game was out of reach one way or another. Even if I did, Harris hasn’t done anything here for that same loyalty to be extended. I think it’s a waste not to see what the team has in other players when the first stringers aren’t getting it done.

 

[MessierII]

I’m not going to get into another discussion about how stupid I think Mass is but refusing to do that again in a few weeks time if the team is still struggling and the season gets away from them again will be another big example of that.

I don’t know if he will or not and that’s what I’m curious about. I didn’t buy the excuse in the past that the team owed a struggling Reilly the chance to stay in games when nothing was working or when the game was out of reach one way or another. Even if I did, Harris hasn’t done anything here for that same loyalty to be extended. I think it’s a waste not to see what the team has in other players when the first stringers aren’t getting it done.

It’s a weird balance though because at first glance Harris’ stats are unbelievable. He leads the league in passing yards by a country mile. They just for whatever reason can’t seem to finish drives. It’s a really weird situation honestly. I’ve never seen anything like it in my years watching the CFL.

 

[rboomercat90]

It’s a weird balance though because at first glance Harris’ stats are unbelievable. He leads the league in passing yards by a country mile. They just for whatever reason can’t seem to finish drives. It’s a really weird situation honestly. I’ve never seen anything like it in my years watching the CFL.

I don’t think it’s as unusual as you think. Passing yards have always been a misleading stat in football because teams that are losing football games need to pass the ball to get back in games and teams already winning prefer to run the ball to kill the clock.

I don’t think it’s much of a mystery at all. They couldn’t finish drives because teams were pressuring Harris into mistakes in the red zone. He couldn’t handle it and the league has figured it out. What we’re starting to see more of now is increased pressure and Harris not being able to move the ball much at all. I suspect it’ll get even worse for him.

 

[Stoneman89]

Thats fair.
Looking back at your posts it wasnt 100% but your focus was mostly on Harris and Maas was a secondary consideration.
I think you have it backwards.

Harris has to take some of the blame but Maas has to carry the vast majority of the responsibility here.

Nah, Shawn Whyte needs to be jetisoned for this teams issues.

 

[guymez]

Nah, Shawn Whyte needs to be jetisoned for this teams issues.

Oh yeah...forgot about the REAL reason this team is losing.

Maybe the offence Maas is running was designed to prop up Whytes point totals and pump up his value for a trade down the road.
Ingenious.

 

[Stoneman89]

I know there was a lot of excitement when the free agent signings were announced, but like all these things, it's only good on paper until we see how they fit into the scheme of our team. Sir Vincent Rogers might not play a game this year (not the esks fault, but a big piece lost nonetheless), Larry Dean has underperformed badly, Knox-Santos hasn't even played a game to this point, Harris can't guide us into the end zone and looks like a scared rabbit out there, and Ellingson is probably the best of the bunch, but they don't work him into the game plan enough. The coach is still the same guy, unable to adjust during the game, and continuing to dress underperforming players, in addition to some bizarre if not iffy decision making. Some of you guys on here said we had accomplished very little after we clubbed Toronto and B.C over the head like baby seals. This is proving very true. I would like to believe we can beat some of the upper echelon teams going forward, but reality says it is going to be very hard to even go .500 the rest of the way. Even our so called "best defence in the league" is proving to be a mirage after being exposed against Winnipeg and then Calgary. They can't stop the run, and don't get enough pressure on the QB's. And IMO, the defensive backfield is mediocre at best. Been a problem for us for a long time and continues to be.

Have to think BLM is only going to get more comfortable and better going forward, but anyone out there that doubted him, got a nice dose of reality yesterday afternoon watching him shred us with quick release and ability to read the blitz, jump into vacant areas when he needed the time, and make pinpoint passes.

 

[MessierII]

I don’t think it’s as unusual as you think. Passing yards have always been a misleading stat in football because teams that are losing football games need to pass the ball to get back in games and teams already winning prefer to run the ball to kill the clock.

I don’t think it’s much of a mystery at all. They couldn’t finish drives because teams were pressuring Harris into mistakes in the red zone. He couldn’t handle it and the league has figured it out. What we’re starting to see more of now is increased pressure and Harris not being able to move the ball much at all. I suspect it’ll get even worse for him.

I think it’s pretty rare for the a QB to lead the league by the margins he has and struggle so much to get TD’s. Like he’s over 1000 yards past the 2nd place guy.

 

[MoontoScott]

I know there was a lot of excitement when the free agent signings were announced, but like all these things, it's only good on paper until we see how they fit into the scheme of our team. Sir Vincent Rogers might not play a game this year (not the esks fault, but a big piece lost nonetheless), Larry Dean has underperformed badly, Knox-Santos hasn't even played a game to this point, Harris can't guide us into the end zone and looks like a scared rabbit out there, and Ellingson is probably the best of the bunch, but they don't work him into the game plan enough. The coach is still the same guy, unable to adjust during the game, and continuing to dress underperforming players, in addition to some bizarre if not iffy decision making. Some of you guys on here said we had accomplished very little after we clubbed Toronto and B.C over the head like baby seals. This is proving very true. I would like to believe we can beat some of the upper echelon teams going forward, but reality says it is going to be very hard to even go .500 the rest of the way. Even our so called "best defence in the league" is proving to be a mirage after being exposed against Winnipeg and then Calgary. They can't stop the run, and don't get enough pressure on the QB's. And IMO, the defensive backfield is mediocre at best. Been a problem for us for a long time and continues to be.

Have to think BLM is only going to get more comfortable and better going forward, but anyone out there that doubted him, got a nice dose of reality yesterday afternoon watching him shred us with quick release and ability to read the blitz, jump into vacant areas when he needed the time, and make pinpoint passes.

BLM is simply the best QB in the CFL and has been for a few years now. No one else is in his talent category in the CFL. I don't think its even close.

But he is also aided by a better coach (yes I know people here don't like him) named Dickenson who is able to study the opposition defence and help BO dissect it. I would bet that Huff also sits in on the pre-game meetings and helps the guys study the film. Two ex QB's help BLM understand how the field works.

 

[48g90a138pts]

For all ya football fans

 

[guymez]

Just to bring it back to football....I dont think its an overstatement to suggest that this upcoming game is a season defining game for this team. They have to start beating the better teams in the League and that has to start in this game.
I have never believed the narrative that Maas is some kind of offensive genius...never understoot how or why that was even a consideration.
That said he doesnt need to be that this Saturday...he just needs to show that he adjust and actually out coach a quality HC in Dave Dickenson.
This is a statement game for this team on offence and defence.

 

[LT]

Anymore politics will earn an infraction and thread-ban. Move on.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I know there was a lot of excitement when the free agent signings were announced, but like all these things, it's only good on paper until we see how they fit into the scheme of our team. Sir Vincent Rogers might not play a game this year (not the esks fault, but a big piece lost nonetheless), Larry Dean has underperformed badly, Knox-Santos hasn't even played a game to this point, Harris can't guide us into the end zone and looks like a scared rabbit out there, and Ellingson is probably the best of the bunch, but they don't work him into the game plan enough. The coach is still the same guy, unable to adjust during the game, and continuing to dress underperforming players, in addition to some bizarre if not iffy decision making. Some of you guys on here said we had accomplished very little after we clubbed Toronto and B.C over the head like baby seals. This is proving very true. I would like to believe we can beat some of the upper echelon teams going forward, but reality says it is going to be very hard to even go .500 the rest of the way. Even our so called "best defence in the league" is proving to be a mirage after being exposed against Winnipeg and then Calgary. They can't stop the run, and don't get enough pressure on the QB's. And IMO, the defensive backfield is mediocre at best. Been a problem for us for a long time and continues to be.

Have to think BLM is only going to get more comfortable and better going forward, but anyone out there that doubted him, got a nice dose of reality yesterday afternoon watching him shred us with quick release and ability to read the blitz, jump into vacant areas when he needed the time, and make pinpoint passes.

That was certainly on my mind when I was citing at mid season that 7/9 of our first games were against poor clubs with losing records and the last half of the season would be flipped with only 2/9 of our games against poor clubs.

To this point 5/6 of our wins come against Either BC or Toronto. That tells everything we need to know about this club. They are 1/5 against competent clubs.

Its only fortunate for the Esks that BC and Toronto have been gongshows. Without which we'd be talking about another legendary stinker season. At this rate, with the schedule looming, it will be difficult for the Esks to finish even .500