CFL Preview: Eskimos look to repeat success with new coaching staff

The Edmonton Eskimos enter the 2016 season looking to repeat last year's success, but will have to do it with an entirely new coaching staff.

Top Storylines

New regime Eskimos fans saw their team win its first Grey Cup in a decade and then had to watch the man most responsible for that championship – just two years after pulling them from the West Division basement – walk out the door and head to Saskatchewan. Now it’s up to Jason Maas to make the leap to head coach after just one season as a coordinator - albeit a successful one.

Reilly’s durability Mike Reilly has developed into one of the league’s top quarterbacks, but there are concerns he may not be one of the most durable. Reilly’s hardnosed play puts him at a higher risk of injury and while last year was the first he missed significant time, the 31-year-old only played half the regular season before returning for the team’s run to the Grey Cup. Edmonton has admirable depth at the position but will need a healthy Reilly when the weather starts to turn for any chance to repeat as champions.

White's return The West Division rushing crown appears wide open this year. Jon Cornish retired, Andrew Harris moved to a potentially less desirable offensive situation in Winnipeg, and competition for carries is expected in BC and Saskatchewan. Enter John White, who, should he return fully healthy from an Achilles injury that cost him all of last year, is arguably the most talented back in the division. White could have competition on the Eskimos roster as well though, after Shakir Bell’s solid debut season.

Additions and Subtractions

+ HC Jason Maas and DC Mike Benevides A new head coach and a new defensive coordinator highlight the additions in Edmonton. How they adjust to new roles and take over the leadership of this team will be a major storyline in Edmonton. Maas will be under pressure to make the right in-game decisions as well as retain the winning culture set in place by his predecessor Chris Jones. For Benevides, it’s all about his ability to hold up the defensive end of the bargain. The Esks lost key players on defence as well as their majordomo in Jones. Benevides will be held up to the standard set by Jones. 

- HC Chris Jones Jones and almost his entire coaching staff left for Saskatchewan. Throw in defensive leaders Otha Foster, Aaron Grymes and Dexter McCoil and the big question in Edmonton is can they defend.

Canadian Content

Quarterback play, Canadian content, the kicking game, and coaching are generally considered the keys to success in the CFL. While the coaching staff has moved to Saskatchewan, the other critical elements remain largely in tact for the reigning Grey Cup champions.

Defensively, the Eskimos boast a very productive trio of Canadian tackles in Eddie Steele, Don Oramasionwu, and Gregory Alexandre. Steele will be listed as the starter but look for all three, along with American Almondo Sewell, to rotate through both interior D-Line positions. The Esks will also continue to start a National at the safety position. Incumbent Cauchy Muamba was injured for much of training camp and subsequently released, which creates an opportunity for one of free agent signee Neil King, rookie Josh Woodman, or third-year Eskimo Mike Dubuisson (once he’s healthy) to fill the void..

On offence, guards Matt O’Donnell and Simeon Rottier, along with centre Justin Sorensen will again man the three inside O-Line spots with veteran Chris Greaves and 2015 draftees Danny Groulx and David Beard supplying depth.

At receiver, the Eskies lost the Top Canadian in last year’s Grey Cup, Shamawd Chambers, who followed the coaching staff to Saskatchewan as a free agent. However, plenty of experience and depth still remains in the form of the very consistent Nate Coehoorn, former Roughriders standout Chris Getzlaf, and the physical Cory Watson. The organization would no doubt also like to see youngster Devon Bailey tackle a bigger role in 2016 but he was limited by injuries in training camp.

Calvin McCarty enters his tenth season at fullback and continues to produce when given the opportunity.

Sean Whyte was brought in to handle Edmonton’s kicking duties when Grant Shaw was injured last season, and the two formed a very effective duo when the latter returned down the stretch. Look for Whyte to look after field goals and extra points, while Shaw will be responsible for punts and kickoffs. Mike Miller, Blair Smith, and snapper Ryan King should once again be among the key special teams contributors.

It’s also worth noting that the Eskimos may not see many immediate dividends from the 2016 draft class but they’ll be closely tracking their top two picks, WR Tevaun Smith and CB Arjen Colquhoun, as they attend NFL training camps this summer. Both are potential impact players.

Impact Imports

The Eskimos are defending champs owing in large part to a top ranked defence; the downside to that of course being the high demand of pending free agents that comes after, and the team lost a number of solid imports over the winter. McCoil, Grymes, and Willie Jefferson returned home south of the border to try their hand in the NFL; and Foster followed Jones to Saskatchewan.

The good news is a strong base remains along the defensive line with perennial All-Star Almondo Sewell, the ever-loquacious Odell Willis, and Marcus Howard. That’s a combined 19 sacks carried over from last season despite six games missed to injury.

There are some more question marks behind the line on defence, and the team was dealt a serious injury blow when CB John Ojo was lost for the year to a ruptured Achilles in the pre-season, but veteran Patrick Watkins can still be leaned on at the other cornerback spot.

The offence is of course led by Mike Reilly behind centre, one of the league’s best at quarterback when healthy. And now with the experience of a successful Grey Cup run under his belt, there shouldn’t be any questions left Reilly will be seen as one of those archetypal CFL QBs for years to come.

He’ll once again have the pleasure of throwing to Adarius Bowman and Derel Walker, arguably the league’s top receiver tandem even before the rival Stampeders lost Eric Rogers to the NFL this off-season. Bowman and Walker combined for 2,414 receiving yards, behind only Rogers and Marquay McDaniel in Calgary with 2,486.

Who to Watch: Mike Reilly is the centrepiece in Edmonton and he’s defiant. A leader who is bent on winning. Reilly will give Maas everything he needs on the field and off the field in terms of leadership.  

Season Outlook

Organizations try to keep championship teams together. Having Jones and all but one of his staff defect destabilized the Eskimos. GM Ed Hervey responded quickly in hiring Maas. Ultimately, the success or failure of the Eskimos this season will rest with these two men. Hervey’s ability to bring in the kind of players Maas wants and then the coach executing with what he’s provided. Reilly is a very good start. If Jones and his staff were still in Edmonton - they’d have to be the pick to win the West. But that’s not the case and the reality is the Eskimos are a wait and see project heading into the season.