The Eskimos Report

The Edmonton Eskimos extended their season by a thread on Saturday night with a win at Taylor Field (yes I know the name, but I refuse to call it by that out of respect for the longtime RoughRider fans who hate it).

I was able to watch most of the game, but sadly I have not much new to report on the improvements they have made in the last several weeks.

The offense certainly played better, but still they left you feeling that there was much more they could do. Yet again the running game was abandoned. Ricky Ray got a little more time to throw, but you wonder what he could do with another second and a half. I know what he could do, complete more passes. Get the ball vertical down the field and spread it out to different receivers.

They took less penalties, I don't believe that Patrick Kabongo was flagged once this game which would be a first this season. Still, one wonders what could have been had Raleigh Roundtree been in the lineup all year long. Pat Woodcock is starting to make a meaningful contribution to the cause. I know he has struggled with injuries,  but he has been healthy enough to dress all season long so he should have been healthy enough to use a little more.

On the defensive side of the ball, well the injury bug continued to take it's toll. You couldn't help but feel bad for Roosevelt Williams, finally getting a start only to be done by half time. And while we're talking about the defense, one wonders why we can not find anyone more qualified than J.R. Larose. I'm sorry but surely we can find a non import that has played CIS ball or the equivalent. LaRose may the future at safety, but he's not the present. He is late on the play constantly and when he has the chance to deliver a big hit, he fails to finish. The kid needs more seasoning.

Now, as far as the Eskimos chances of making the playoffs, well I have to tell you that even though I am a die hard fan and am rooting for them to catch the Riders, part of me doesn't want them to make it this way. This is no way for the league's flagship franchise to behave. This is no way for them to keep the record. They haven't played well enough on a consistent basis to deserve it this season. What if they make it? Will they make the changes that they so desperately need to make next season.

You almost think that in this case the failure will be a good thing. A necessary evil to cleanse the team of the old, slow and inept. To get an infusion of new talent. Perhaps that infusion should start with those that evaluate the talent. Maybe that's where the problem lies. One wonders. One wonders if squeaking into the playoffs is truly the best thing for a franchise  that wants to continue to be dominant in this league for the next 34 years.