Esks’ Kilgore preparing for possible start
EDMONTON — With just six games remaining in their campaign, every game is of utmost importance for the Edmonton Eskimos.
However, Friday’s game with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats should see Esks head coach Jason Maas implement a few fresh faces into the lineup, the first of which could be quarterback Logan Kilgore.
Kilgore came into the Esks’ Week 13 game against the Calgary Stampeders after starter Trevor Harris was injured in the first half. He completed 21 of 28 passes for 242 yards with an interception in the 33-17 loss.
RELATED
» Landry’s 5 takeaways from Week 14
» Steinberg’s MMQB: No clear Grey Cup favourite
» Rockstar QB Index: Time is money for Mike Reilly
Edmonton Eskimos quarterback Logan Kilgore watches on from the sidelines against the Toronto Argonauts (Shannon Vizniowski/CFL.ca)
“All he can control is what he does in there and the mistakes, executing the plays that are called to the best of his ability and I thought he did that,” Maas said of Kilgore’s last outing to Esks.com. “The moment wasn’t too big for him and I thought he stepped right in there and slung the ball and made plays; (he) made some great throws and some great reads.”
While the 29-year-old still hasn’t officially been named the starter — Harris’ status is up in the air — he’s preparing as though he’ll be the starting pivot.
“You’re always ready if and when but it’s a little different when you know you’re taking that snap,” Kilgore said of his relief appearance. “Even starting the game in Winnipeg in the preseason, it might seem small, but preparing in pre-game, preparing on the bus ride over to take that first snap, it’s always a little bit different. So it’s nice to have gotten that under the belt.”
Along with Kilgore, the Esks will have a few fresh faces on the other side of the football as well. Mathieu Betts, the Esks’ first-rounder in the 2019 Draft, signed with the team back on Sept. 9. He’ll likely make his CFL debut, and he could be joined by fellow defensive lineman Stefan Charles, who signed with the Esks on Monday.
Charles was selected by Edmonton with the 10th overall pick in the 2013 CFL Draft. However, he opted to chase his NFL dream and spent seven seasons down south. After being cut by the Atlanta Falcons in August, the Oshawa, Ont., native will be playing in his first CFL season.
“You can tell he’s got talent and he’s a large human. You can tell why he was down south for sure and he’s really quick off the ball for as big as he is,” Maas said of Charles. “I just think that the more football he plays up here and gets acclimated, the better he’ll be.
“I don’t know if you have to be that big to play up here — there’s a big difference to playing down there than playing up here — and I think he’ll realize that with us and understand what it really takes to play in the CFL.”
Charles made his biggest mark in the NFL during his three seasons with the Buffalo Bills. Over 37 games with the organization, he had 48 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Maas also praised Charles’ willingness to come home and give the CFL a shot.
“Most of the guys don’t need to come here — especially guys who have played seven years down there. So for him to show up is a big thing and I’m grateful for that,” Maas said. “We drafted him for a reason years ago. You’re excited about him being here and the guy showing up.”
Charles joins an already stacked Esks defensive line that features aforementioned Betts, as well as Almondo Sewell, Mike Moore and Kwaku Boateng. They’ve been the stingiest defence the entire campaign. Edmonton currently sits first in both passing and rushing yards per game and they’re tied for third in sacks with 33 on the campaign.
Edmonton Eskimos defensive lineman Stefan Charles (94) battles during drills in his first practice with the team. (Edmonton Eskimos)
With both Charles and Betts coming into the fold, that sack total is sure to rise. As for the 31-year-old Charles, he’s just looking to get acquainted with the Canadian rules again.
“(I’m) just shaking the feathers off, trying to get back to when I was in college playing the CFL game — the spacing and the yards off the ball and everything,” he said. “It’s good to be breathing that Canadian air again.
“I’m happy to be here. Just hoping I can be an impact player for the team and contribute where I can when I can.”
The Eskimos will welcome the Ticats to Commonwealth Stadium on Friday for their Week 15 clash. The Tabbies are tied with Winnipeg for the league’s best record at 9-3 but they’ll be fired up after losing a tight game against the Stampeders in Week 14.
As for Edmonton, they’re coming into this game off a bye. They’ve dropped their last three contests and, with their next three games coming against East-Division competition, they have a good window to gain ground back on the three teams ahead of them in the West standings.
“I know some people have asked me about changing our process and our mindset, and we’re not doing that,” Maas said. “We’re still one day at a time and all that and you know that when you’re 6-6 and teams are ahead of you, the only thing you can control is how many games you’re going to win.
“We’re done playing Calgary for now, we still have Sask to play, but we have Hamilton this week — we know that — and that’s all we’re focused on.”
– With files from Esks.com
