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A little shakeup could awaken a sleeping giant

Gizzie Willie • July 17, 2010 • Comments (0)

There is no question that the Edmonton Eskimos have talent on their roster. Ricky Ray led the league in passing last year with 4,916 yards. Fred Stamps was the league’s top receiver with 1,402 yards. Arkee Whitlock finished the season with 12 rushing touchdowns, only one behind league leader Avon Cobourne. Lenny Walls (who was with Winnieg in 2009) picked off quarterbacks seven times. We could go on about the wealth of talent that put on the Green & Gold jerseys every week, but as mentioned on EsksNation.ca, unless the supporting cast also plays up to their potential, the Eskimos will find winning football games very difficult in 2010.

Ricky Ray is a star quarterback, but he needs help.

With that in mind, the Eskimos coaching staff have made a few changes to their roster over the past week or so in an effort to give that supporting cast a shot in the arm. Some of the moves were in response to injuries sustained to defensive starters such as defensive end Greg Peach, safety Jason Nugent, and most recently, linebacker Mark Restelli, who will be out for what looks to be at least a couple of months with a knee injury. Inserted into the starting lineup to replace them are Kenneth Pettway (DE), Saleem Borhot (S), and Rod Davis (LB), all talented players who bring starting skills to each of their positions.

On offence and special teams, out for this weekend are wide receiver Efrem Hill, who was released by the club this past week and Skyler Green, who has struggled to find the punt return game he possessed at the end of the 2009 season in 2010. This will open up roster spots for slotback Jason Barnes to enter the lineup for the first time in 2010 and Jamaica Rector, who compiled over 500 yards receiving for the Eskimos in limited action last year and was released at the end of training camp to make room for Kelly Campbell.

The defensive additions all played last week against Montreal, with Pettway and Borhot starting and Davis filling in midway through the contest. For both Pettway and Borhot, it was their first start in the CFL and despite being new to the situation, each player contributed. Pettway showed he could be a force on the defensive line as he had 4 tackles, a sack, and a blocked punt in the game. Borhot played a strong, steady game, and limited Montreal’s chances to go up the middle of the field. He also contributed two tackles and showed a propensity to deliver devastating hits.

The changes on offense all occurred in the past couple of days, and Barnes, the Eskimos leading receiver in the pre-season, will be taking the place of the ineffective Hill in the starting lineup. Barnes had eight receptions for 99 yards and two touchdowns in limited action during the exhibition season and fans have been clamouring for him to be inserted onto the active roster. Rector is also expected to make an appearance on the offensive side of the ball, as Edmonton could have the option of lining up four import receivers across the line if they use non-import running back Calvin McCarty.

Whatever the outcome of Saturday’s game, the Eskimos needed to make some adjustments to their personnel. Between pre-season action and last week’s game against Montreal, those who are taking the spots of original starters have shown that they are ready to contribute. Time will tell if it’s enough to overcome a very strong Saskatchewan squad, but at least action is being taken to improve the team.