Edmonton Elks

[ArgoRavi]

Yup, laughing it is.

If they bench stiffs like the Ford bros., K. Gittens, Robbie Smith & Metchie and replace them with more suitable Americans they could get down to 6 or 7 only NI starters, and then likely go on a winning streak roll. Bring back Chris Jones !!!

Well, it is early, but Robbie Smith and Royce Metchie and Terrell Ford have had no impact at all thus far on an overall terrible Elks D. Gittens and Tre Ford killed it in garbage time last night, so there is that.

I like Robbie Smith as much as anyone but paying him $250k is insane.

[OV Argo]

The EE brass will learn some lessons; this starting 10 or 11 Canadians nonsense has got them the same record to start the season as 3 teams who this year so far strive to start/play as few Canadians as possible.

Uppity Canadians making huge, astronomical dollar$ in the pro league in their own country - shame on them. QBs make top buck$ in the GOB CFL ? WTF ?

[gilthethrill]

One of Ed's big Defensive FA signings has been released. SAM LB Emmanuel Rugamba has been cut after 2 games. I don't see him being unemployed for very long.

[ARGO57]

If they bench stiffs like the Ford bros., K. Gittens, Robbie Smith & Metchie and replace them with more suitable Americans they could get down to 6 or 7 only NI starters, and then likely go on a winning streak roll. Bring back Chris Jones !!!

Well, it is early, but Robbie Smith and Royce Metchie and Terrell Ford have had no impact at all thus far on an overall terrible Elks D. Gittens and Tre Ford killed it in garbage time last night, so there is that.

I like Robbie Smith as much as anyone but paying him $250k is insane.

Don’t be shocked if he gets released when his roster bonus is due early next year.

[gilthethrill]

Well, it is early, but Robbie Smith and Royce Metchie and Terrell Ford have had no impact at all thus far on an overall terrible Elks D. Gittens and Tre Ford killed it in garbage time last night, so there is that.

I like Robbie Smith as much as anyone but paying him $250k is insane.

Don’t be shocked if he gets released when his roster bonus is due early next year.

Where do you come up with these thoughts ARGO57?

[ARGO57]

I like Robbie Smith as much as anyone but paying him $250k is insane.

Don’t be shocked if he gets released when his roster bonus is due early next year.

Where do you come up with these thoughts ARGO57?

Great minds think alike.
We see several players get released each year when roster bonuses are due proving CFL contracts aren’t worth the paper they are written on.

[OV Argo]

Well, a win is a win for the EE, but they still don't look like much IMO, outside of depending on a few big plays.

The rebuilt D with all those big FA signings is looking mediocre at best (outside of stud LB Anderson) - zero INTs on the season, next to no pass pressure, and little D play making.

And their offensive brain-trust just does not get what dangerous run threat QB in Ford can bring to an offence - sad waste of talent IMO.

I thought they might be able to compete for top spot in the West, but not anymore. Kilam the rookie HC might need a couple of seasons to get much smarter.

[ArgoRavi]

Well, a win is a win for the EE, but they still don't look like much IMO, outside of depending on a few big plays.

The rebuilt D with all those big FA signings is looking mediocre at best (outside of stud LB Anderson) - zero INTs on the season, next to no pass pressure, and little D play making.

And their offensive brain-trust just does not get what dangerous run threat QB in Ford can bring to an offence - sad waste of talent IMO.

I thought they might be able to compete for top spot in the West, but not anymore. Kilam the rookie HC might need a couple of seasons to get much smarter.

Ford just sustained a serious injury last year trying to run. He can't be running every play - this isn't USports. As a pro QB, you have to be able to sit in the pocket, make your reads and throw the ball. If nobody is open and you have a chance, then run it but a QB like Ford isn't going to stay healthy or last long in this league if they take a "run first" approach with him.

[OV Argo]

Well, a win is a win for the EE, but they still don't look like much IMO, outside of depending on a few big plays.

The rebuilt D with all those big FA signings is looking mediocre at best (outside of stud LB Anderson) - zero INTs on the season, next to no pass pressure, and little D play making.

And their offensive brain-trust just does not get what dangerous run threat QB in Ford can bring to an offence - sad waste of talent IMO.

I thought they might be able to compete for top spot in the West, but not anymore. Kilam the rookie HC might need a couple of seasons to get much smarter.

Ford just sustained a serious injury last year trying to run. He can't be running every play - this isn't USports. As a pro QB, you have to be able to sit in the pocket, make your reads and throw the ball. If nobody is open and you have a chance, then run it but a QB like Ford isn't going to stay healthy or last long in this league if they take a "run first" approach with him.

Ever watch any NFL lately Ravi? - you know, the league where star QBs get paid 10s of millions of buck$? There are numerous, now, good starting QBs who run lots - way more than Ford ever has in the CFL - including the SB winning QB last season who helped win the game by running lots when their star RB was shut down. So why aren't NFL big-wigs saying: OMG, our QBs can only run maybe the odd time like you seem to believe just has to be the case? And Ford is maybe a slighter build than some bigger NFL running QBs, but the much tighter field combined with some bigger D-Lineman & LBs make the risk of a QB running, more so than in the CFL (IMO). And I'm not saying Ford has to start running every 2nd play; BUT - a smart offensive coaching staff would know how to game plan Ford running plenty (at least 8 to 10 times a game depending on the situation/play) - by having QB roll-outs, designed runs (QB draw for example) or the usual RPO stuff where he is instructed to take-off when it is open to do so for good to big yardage. And Ford was last injured on a short yardage plunge into the pile, not from taking a big hit trying to scramble; so don't have him do any short yardage, dumb, plow into the pile stuff that a lot of CFL same olds like to use still.

Ford could be coached up and deployed to be both a QB capable of throwing well from the pocket AND a dual threat running QB - you recall Tracy Ham in the CFL, no? So far - the EE offensive game plan just does not take near enough advantage of Ford's superb mobility - that only comes around in pro QBs once in a blue moon (at least in the CFL now - like I said, the NFL features plenty of it).

[AngeloV]

Not sure what the Elks were thinking yesterday. On the broadcast it was mentioned Ceresna had his knee pop out, and they popped it back in, they then put him back in the game, only to get injured again. That is a bonehead move in my books. A talent like that you don't take a chance with, especially in a game where it was pretty obvious they had no chance in hell of winning. Not the way Ford was throwing anyway.