Inside the CFL: CFL teams faced with strangest pre-season ever

By GRAHAM KELLY on July 8, 2021.

For all CFL teams but especially Edmonton, so much has changed since Winnipeg won the 2019 Grey Cup.

The 2020 season was killed by COVID. The Eskimos changed their name to Elks. Head coach Jason Maas was fired, replaced by Scott Milanovich, who quit to become the quarterback coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Erstwhile Ottawa executive and now Edmonton GM, Brock Sunderland replaced him with former Redblack assistant Jaime Elizondo who had worked with quarterback Trevor Harris and receiver Greg Ellingson in Bytown.

Every team in the league is faced with the strangest pre-season any of them has ever encountered.

Coaches in the CFL have to be able to make personnel decisions in a very short period of time, unlike the NFL which evaluates players over several months. Because the CFL has decided to eliminate exhibition games and public health authorities have banned controlled scrimmages between teams, finalizing the lineup and preparing it for the 14-game regular season, which begins Aug. 5, is exceptionally difficult. Also, most of the players have been inactive for more than a year.

Rookie head coach Elizondo described the problem: “The challenges are two fold. One, the tackling component. There are two parts to that, defensive tackling and getting hit. As a ball carrier and receiver you’ve got to feel that first shot in the ribs and be able to hold onto the ball. You go through that in the pre-season games so not having them is a challenge.

“The second component, because they haven’t played in a year and a half, making sure they practice accordingly. There will be more soft-tissue issues, guys that will need more rehab. We have to manage the load, making sure guys aren’t taking too many reps while at the same time getting into game shape. A huge challenge is evaluating special teams. We are going to try to create as many game scenarios in scrimmages as we can.”

A new coach means a new approach.

“We spend a lot of time talking about culture and what we want to be like on the field. We want to play fast and chase the ball exceptionally well. When we play games, we want to be the more physical team. Football character will be really important, how we operate as a team, how we celebrate as a team. Basically, we’re looking for players who don’t make it about themselves.”

Nine-year veteran quarterback Trevor Harris is a believer. To develop team chemistry, “I try to get to know my teammates outside of football and let them know I care about them. That goes a long way in coming together as a team and playing hard for one another. Like they say about soldiers in war, it’s not about hatred of the enemy, it’s about the love of the people standing behind them, the love of their brothers. When we can manifest love of our teammates, everything else falls into place.”

So: all you need is love. If love and enthusiasm can win a Grey Cup, the Elks are a shoo-in. Of course, talent is important, too.

Edmonton finished fourth in 2019 with a record of 8-10. They ranked seventh in points scored but second in total offence. They gave up the third-fewest points and yards. They surrendered the fewest sacks and tied with Saskatchewan with the most. How could they only win eight games? They moved the ball well but only Ottawa cashed in fewer touchdowns. They took the most penalties and their special teams were mediocre.

Harris was the second-ranked quarterback in the league. “I think this is the best team I’ve ever had on paper coming into a season. Our receivers Greg Ellingson, Derel Walker, Rodney Smith, Kenny Stafford and Armanti Edwards are great. We’ve got Terry Williams and James Wilder in the backfield. The offensive line in 2019 was incredible and they’ll be even better.”

But, they have no experienced back-up quarterback. If Harris gets hurt, these Elks won’t be able to beat Bambi.

Defensively, all the starting linebackers and half the D-line and secondary are gone. GM Sunderland believes he has rebuilt the defence but adds, “there are a lot of unknowns going into the season.”

Harris is undeterred. “Not many are picking us to do well. I think that’s funny . We’re loaded.”