Inside the CFL: Elks off on the wrong hoof

By Medicine Hat News on October 21, 2021.

The Edmonton Rugby Club was formed in 1892, winning its first provincial title three years later. They were called the Esquimaux until 1910 when they were renamed the Eskimos. They were the first team to represent the West in the Grey Cup, losing 23-0 to the Toronto Argos. They played a variety of opponents on the prairies and B.C. over the next 28 years finally settling in 1949 into the Western Conference of what would become the CFL.

Under the Eskimo banner, they had a glorious history winning 14 Grey Cups in 25 tries, making the playoffs 59 times, including 34 appearances in a row. They finished first 28 times. There are 35 Eskimo players and builders in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. It became the most successful franchise in league history, and next to the Montreal Canadiens, the most successful franchise in Canadian sports history.

Its successor, the Elks, have got off on the wrong hoof. Considering their on-and-off the field antics in this inaugural season under a new name, it is hard to believe they have the same bloodline as the team called the Eskimos. If things get much worse, the Benevolent Purple Order of the Elks, will be suing the team for besmirching their good name.

GM Brock Sunderland has come under fire for various real and imagined sins. He mishandled the release of a beloved equipment man who had been with the team for 47 years. The late Joey Moss was banned from the dressing room. Then there was the rescheduling of their game with Toronto because over a dozen players tested positive for COVID. The league target of an 85% vaccination rate has still not been met in Edmonton, the only franchise to miss the mark. Attendance is dismal, meaning the Elks are facing huge financial losses. Now he is facing criticism for trading healthy, respected, veteran quarterback Trevor Harris to Montreal for defensive end Antonio Simmons who has recorded seven tackles and two sacks this season. Willie Jefferson he is not. Sunderland botched the trade. No one expected Harris would lose the starter’s job. By publicly taking him out of the line-up, everyone knew Harris’ days were numbered, reducing his trade value to just about zero. Former Eskimo head coach and GM Danny Maciocia, now the Directeur General in Montreal took his former team to the cleaners, in the process greatly strengthening Les Alouettes for the stretch run.

My how things change. On June 29, head coach Jaimie Elizondo said, “Trevor and I have a special relationship. It all begins with the comfort level… We like being around each other, two guys that love football.

“Heart of my heart meant friends were dearer then, too bad we had to part.”

Four years ago, Harris was the quarterback in Ottawa, Greg Ellingson his favourite target, Elizondo the offensive coordinator Noel Thorpe the defensive coordinator and Sunderland the assistant GM. All moved to Edmonton between then and 2021. They enjoyed some success and were looking forward to a winning campaign.

I don’t believe it was Elizondo’s idea to trade him. The trade was a front office move. The team is bleeding money and the 35-year-old inconsistent Harris had a hefty contract. While Sunderland didn’t handle the trade well, his decision to move Harris was the right one. The team is going nowhere.

The ball has been given to Taylor Cornelius and Dakota Prukop. Prediction: neither will be at quarterback when Edmonton returns to the Grey Cup.

Als GM Maciocia wanted veteran depth after starter Vernon Adams, Jr. went on the six-game injury list. Before Adams got hurt he was inconsistent, lacking the killer instinct. His successor Matthew Shiltz has looked good and comes without Adams’ big ego. Head coach Khari Jones, once an All-Canadian quarterback, will have Harris available for next week’s game against Saskatchewan.

Speaking of whom, I continue to hear cries of anguish from Rider nation. Will their beloved Green and White even make the playoffs? Fear not. After Saturday’s tilt at McMahon Stadium, Saskatchewan plays at Montreal, then a home-and-home with Edmonton before finishing up in Hamilton. I can’t see Calgary beating a good team like Saskatchewan three times in one month so I think they’ll run the table and finish solidly in second place.