2011 Grey Cup Predictions – Team Preview – Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos enter the 2011 season with more new parts than returning parts which immediately is a cause for concern. But hopes are that the stout Football mind of new General Manager Eric Tillman will be able to weave a little magic alongside new Head Coach Kavis Reed.
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2011 Eskimos CFL Team Preview/Predictions
2010 record: 7-11
Home/Away: 5-4, 2-7
Unfortunately for Edmonton fans, the Western Conference appears stacked this season and nothing short of a miracle will be needed in order for to put this team in the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.
After a season in which the Eskimos finished 7-11 and missed the playoffs for the second straight time, it was obvious that a change in culture was essential in the City of Champions. The offense, defense and front office were all a mess. The General Manager was changed as was the Coach and the Offensive and Defensive Coordinators. Can success come so soon after such sweeping changes? Likely not!
New Offensive Coordinator Marcus Crandell will have a familiar face running his offense – Ricky Ray returns after a 2010 season that saw him throw more interceptions than touchdown passes. Adarius Bowman, Fred Stamps, Jason Barnes, Chris Bauman and Andrew Nowacki will be on the receiving end of Ray’s passes – a solid group but one that does not exactly strike any fear into their opposition. Ray will need help and I can’t see it coming in the form of his pass catchers!
Another familiar face comes in the form of running back Arkee Whitlock, a decent runner that has a propensity for fumbling away the football. Calvin McCarthy is a decent backup as is Daniel Porter – the two could potentially overtake Whitlock and garner more carries for an Eskimos team that is obviously intent on going in a different direction. [ad-4437448]
All of the potential and skill in the world won’t matter unless Edmonton’s leaky offensive line improves dramatically. Names like Patrick Kabongo and Aaron Fiacconi are well known but their skills certainly do not live up to their name. Ricky Ray will be hit a lot, he will be forced to rush his throws and the runners won’t be able to generate any space at all unless this line is dramatically improved!
Edmonton’s offense certainly doesn’t appear to be a strength going into 2011 but that unit may just be better than the one that will take to the field on defense. This squad was absolutely brutal last season and outside of new Defensive Coordinator Rich Stubler, changes were minimal which raises some red flags. The only real talent on the defensive side of the ball from last season, Adam Braidwood’s has legal issues that will prevent him from playing in the league this season – a huge loss for an already underwhelming defense. Stubler is a tremendous defensive mind however and has transformed defenses in the past.
Eskimos 2011 Future Odds
Odds to Win the Grey Cup: +700
Odds to Win the Western Conference: +400
Eskimos 2011 Predictions
Edmonton is in full rebuild mode – a sudden ascension up the CFL ranks seems unlikely this year at least. But a change of culture in Edmonton could result in a return to success on the field before too long. 8-10 is where I see this team finishing this season – 4th place in the West with a lot to look forward to in 2012.
One reply on “2011 Edmonton Eskimos CFL Team Preview/Predictions”
pretty much spot on with your team preview of the Eskimos……a weaker receiver core then years past…..only way ESKS make the playoffs is if the Argos stink and Winnipeg as well then Edmonton has a chance at the Crossover into the east…..ERic Tillman is a sharp football GM he will need another to get the Eskimos back on track to be an elite team.