Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
The Edmonton Eskimos defence was dizzying for the opposition and themselves at times over the last two years. The celebratory somersaults were common. The frustrating looks on their opponents status quo.
Too often in the early part of this season, they’re the ones watching the celebrations by opponents. The Eskimos have given up an average of 40 points per game and for the first time since mid-2013 have given up 30-plus points in back to back games.
“It certainly hurts. It’s embarrassing to be honest with you,” admitted veteran linebacker JC Sherritt.
“We take it personally and we certainly have a chip on our shoulder now. We know that we have to step our level of play up if we want to continue to win.”
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Ryan Smith celebrates his touchdown in a Week 3 win over Hamilton (The Canadian Press)
But if you were going to predict a bit of a dip in production from the Eskimos defence from last season to this year, it would be safe money.
The entire defensive coaching staff was gutted with the exodus to Saskatchewan. Add to that Otha Foster heading to Riderville with coach Chris Jones, Aaron Grymes and Dexter McCoil’s National Football League contracts as well as the unfortunate season ending injury of star sophomore defensive back John Ojo, there were bound to be growing pains.
The replacements are young. Six rookies, and four players started their second professional game ever last week and Sherritt knows patience will be necessary in the early portion of the season.
“I mean we can’t expect a rookie to come in and play like Dexter McCoil in his second year at an all-star level but we can certainly get there. We’re growing as a team, we’re growing as a defence and we have complete belief and faith in each other.”
The defence showed a little growth last week when the Eskimos went to another overtime. In game one, it ended with an Ottawa touchdown on the REDBLACKS’ first possession and a disappointing loss for the Green and Gold.
Last week, the game was in their hands and they stopped Saskatchewan on a third-and-inches to end the game and bring home the victory.
Defensive Coordinator Mike Benevides, who has the unenviable task to replace a Chris Jones defence, believes last week’s win can turn the ship in the right direction on the defensive side of the ball.
“I fully believe it’s the type of situation that can galvanize,” said Benevides. “You learn and you build confidence. I mean at the end of the day when you have some confidence moving forward it pays dividends but I believe going through the tough times will make you a better football team.”
“We can’t expect a rookie to come in and play like Dexter McCoil in his second year at an all-star level but we can certainly get there.”
JC Sherritt
The coaching staff actually showed that third-and-inches stuff to the defence a few times early in their prep week getting set for Winnipeg. It was all about showing the players the raw emotion of winning, to remind them why they play the game.
After surviving a scare from their former coach and a rebuilding Saskatchewan team, the Eskimos travel to Winnipeg to take on a Bombers team that went all in on changing over their offence this off-season.
First it was the addition of Paul LaPolice as offensive coordinator. Then came receiver Weston Dressler, running back Andrew Harris and another former Rider receiver Ryan Smith.
Sherritt, however, believes it’s a different group that is leading to the biggest change in the ‘Peg.
“Honestly, the first thing I see is that’s the best offensive line I’ve seen Winnipeg have since my rookie year or ever. I think that’s the biggest change they’ve had. Now, you look at the skill positions, obviously those guys are talented at every spot and it starts with Andrew Harris. They’re involving him in every way they can and we’re aware of that but for me, personally, I’m very focused on that front five because I think they’ve done a great job of bringing in talent.”
That doesn’t bode well for a defence that has given up not only the most points per game, but also the most yards per game to start the season.
As for Winnipeg’s new coordinator, Benevides is more than familiar with his philosophy and vice versa. And while both Benevides and LaPolice worked for TSN last year, they weren’t sharing any delicate information.
Although, Benevides is fairly sure what LaPolice is going to do on Thursday after battling him for years as an assistant in B.C.
“I do see a bit different, there is no doubt, but he still stays true to what I remember with the Winnipeg team and the Saskatchewan team when they were lighting up the scoreboard.”
But if this is going to turn around for the once vaunted Eskimo defence, Benevides is going to rely on players like Sherritt and Odell Willis to help lead the way.
“I said to these guys, ‘you’ve been here now six or seven years, you’ve played a lot of football in this league, you remember what it was like your first couple of games.’ I mean you try and pass along the knowledge and those two guys are extremely good leaders at doing that so you really lean on those guys because those are the guys that will really expedite the growth of some of the younger men.”
The biggest thing missing from the defence is the somersault, the signature move of the Eskimos after big defensive plays. So far they have two sacks and one touchdown. Three somersaults are nowhere near enough for Edmonton to repeat as champs but Sherritt knows it’s a long season.
“There is no panic and there is no doubt in our minds that we’re going to get there.”
