No controversy here
“David was here in the spring helping us implement some parts of our offence. He’s familiar with our offence and right now we’re struggling just a bit and we feel an extra pair of eyes will help us. David is here to help, David will not call a play, David will not be the architect of our offence, David is not the guy here to replace Marcus.” - Esks Head Coach Kavis Reed

If the Edmonton Eskimos intend on getting out of their current funk, there are several aspects of their game that will need to be fixed.

However, the most prevalent of those aspects is the offence, which happens to be the lowest scoring unit in the West Division.

The Eskimos have scored 29, 18, and 8 points during that stretch and have registered just five offensive touchdowns.  So what can you do with a struggling offence at this point in the season?  Management searched deep within NCAA Division 1 circles and found David Kelly.  

A man with over 30 years of coaching experience within the American college ranks. In 2010, he was named one of the top-25 best recruiters by Rivals.com.  He’s coached such famous NFL receivers as Hines Ward and Terrell Owens.    

So why is Kelly here?  He’s been named as an Offensive Adviser to assist Offensive Coordinator Marcus Crandell in game planning.  Crandell has been getting doused with some criticism as of late, as fans continue to wonder why the offence has been sputtering.  

Head coach Kavis Reed made the point quite clear this week, Marcus Crandell is the team’s only offensive coordinator and Kelly is just here to lend a hand.

“Marcus is the offensive coordinator, there’s no controversy created here in Marcus’ ability to make the decisions for the offence,” Reed explained.  

“David was here in the spring helping us implement some parts of our offence.  He’s familiar with our offence and right now we’re struggling just a bit and we feel an extra pair of eyes will help us.  David is here to help, David will not call a play, David will not be the architect of our offence, David is not the guy here to replace Marcus.”

At this juncture of the season, replacing Crandell with someone from outside the organization would produce major damage to the internal structure of the Eskimos.

They’re still fighting and are right in the mix for a playoff spot. Just go back to 2009, when the offensive coordinator for half that season was Rick Worman.  He was eventually replaced after Labour Day by Kevin Strasser who was brought in by then General Manager Danny Maciocia in Week 4 of the season.  

When Strasser took over, it set the offence way back, and the team limped into the post season.

Simply put, replacing Crandell is not a good idea.

The reality is that Kelly isn’t here to stand on the sidelines and twiddle his thumbs.  He will be helping out in the offensive game planning with Crandell and the rest of the offensive staff.  The question is how much input will he really have?

When Kelly was in Edmonton in the spring and for training camp, he helped to devise “the quick game” or ball control offence.  

From my point of view, Kerry Joseph has been the starter and has given the Eskimos a more dynamic quarterback.  Joseph threw for 311, 275, and 292 yards in his three starts but hasn’t found the win column.  The Eskimos have tried to attack downfield to little or no success.  The Eskimos have also had issues in using their run game, or for that matter, not using their run game.  Cory Boyd and Jerome Messam have joined a very crowded backfield which should have Hugh Charles as their focal point.

What made the Eskimos successful in their five wins this season is a strong running game complimented by a ball control timing offence.  They’re not finesse team; they’re a ‘bring your lunch pail, your work boots, and get ready to grind out a win’ team.

How much of an impact Kelly will have remains to be seen.  He’s not the white knight to ride in and save the day.  If the Eskimos are going to turn their fortunes around, it has to be the players and coaches in the locker room.

We’ll see how the offence performs tonight as Steven Jyles takes the ball for his first start under centre since August 27th in Toronto.

NOTES: After missing two months of action because of a hamstring injury, Marcus Howard will make his return on Saturday.  His reps will be limited however and be used in a rotation.  Defensive end Lee Robinson has been place on the nine-game injured list with an injured quad.  Justin Capicciotti will draw in on the defensive line.  Defensive lineman Ted Laurent re-aggravated his ankle last week in Hamilton and will sit out.  Defensive back Weldon Brown returns to the lineup after missing three games with a groin injury.  On offence, Dylan Steenbergen will start at right tackle for the injured Devin Tyler.  Tyler was kicked in the throat during Tuesday’s practice.  Fullback Darcy Brown will make his Eskimos debut.