As a rookie coach, Danny Maciocia led the
Esks to the Grey Cup title. What does an encore look like?
(CP File Photo)
2005 RECORD: 11-7, third in
West. Defeated Montreal 38-35 in overtime in 93rd Grey Cup.
ARRIVALS: WR Pat Woodcock, OL Tim Bakker, DT Robert
Brown, DE Adam Braidwood, DB Reggie Durden
DEPARTURES: QB Jason Maas, DL Anthony Collier,
OL Chris Morris, OL Bruce Beaton, OL Kevin Lefsrud, DL Rashad Jeanty,
DL Joe Montford, LB Glen Young, CB Davis Sanchez
OFFENCE: Quarterback Ricky Ray has the CFL's fifth-ranked
offence all to himself this year, but he'll be lacking some of the
protection he enjoyed a year ago.
Backup Jason Maas, who helped the Eskimos win the Grey Cup by excelling
in relief of Ray in two playoff games, was dealt to Hamilton in
the off-season, and would-be replacement Khari Jones was a late
cut in training camp. That leaves 26-year-old Jason Johnson, who
has thrown all of five CFL passes and none since 2004, as the probable
No. 2 man.
Ray set career highs in passing attempts (715), completions (479)
and yards (5,510), but also interceptions (24). He'll again have
top-flight receivers Jason Tucker and Derrell Mitchell at his disposal.
The offensive line is in transition after veteran Canadians Chris
Morris, Bruce Beaton and Kevin Lefsrud retired.
Running back Troy Davis will be playing in his first full season
with Edmonton after racking up 359 yards and two touchdowns in four
games with the Eskimos last year following a trade from Hamilton.
DEFENCE: Most of the defensive squad that finished
last season ranked first in the CFL is back. The most notable exceptions
are on the line, where the Eskimos will have to find replacements
for ends Joe Montford and Rashad Jeanty.
Montford, a three-time CFL defensive player of the year, was released
in the off-season in a cost-cutting move. Jeanty, who tallied eight
sacks last season, signed with the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals.
Beyond the line, Edmonton's defence will again be anchored by 11-year
veteran Singor Mobley, who posted a team-high 74 tackles and five
sacks in 2005.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Veteran kicker-punter Sean Fleming
had an off year in 2005, connecting on just 67.6 per cent of his
field goal attempts – his lowest success rate since 2000.
The 36-year-old is entering his 15th season with the Eskimos.
Return man Tony Tompkins will try to build on an outstanding rookie
season in which he led the CFL in punt return yards, finished sixth
in kickoff returns and scored four touchdowns – three on punts
and one on a kickoff.
COACHING: What will Danny Maciocia do for an encore
after leading the Eskimos to a Grey Cup title in his rookie year
at the helm?
Former Saskatchewan offensive line coach Carl Brennan joins the
Eskimos staff as running backs coach.
GAME BREAKER: JASON TUCKER
After a breakout 2004 season in which he caught 67 passes for 1,632
yards (a 24.4-yard average), Tucker emerged as a more consistent
force in 2005, hauling in 89 balls for a league-high 1,411 yards.
The 29-year-old remains a big-play threat from anywhere on the
field – his 11 touchdowns last season included a 105-yard
catch for a major.
EXPERT OPINION: "I think [former backup quarterback]
Jason Maas provided a safety net for [starter] Ricky Ray the past
few years," CFL on CBC analyst Sean Millington said. "With
Maas in Hamilton, if something goes wrong it's all up to Ricky to
save the day.
"Having [running back] Troy Davis from the start of the season
will be an added dimension to the offence. When you have a two-pronged
attack you can use all your weapons and it gives you more opportunity
for success.
"I think they're going to see a difference right off the bat
on defence [without end Joe Montford]. They'll replace him with
a guy who is pretty good but if you take out a guy who's playing
at an all-star level with the respect the offensive line gave Montford,
there isn't the same attitude toward [the new guy].
"I think you're also going to see growing pains on the [new-look]
offensive line for the first part of the season.
"I think it'll be a battle between Edmonton and B.C. as to
who will dominate the West Division."
