Inside the CFL: Elks look to break through from transitioning seasons

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on May 25, 2023.

sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

Last year in the first season of his second go-around with Edmonton, Chris Jones’ Elks finished 4-14, in last place, lost over $3 million and failed to win a home game. That’s two years in a row the team has been winless in the friendly(?) confines of Commonwealth Stadium. Jones blew the team up. He brought in over 100 players during the regular campaign.

The 2022 Elks scored the fewest points and surrendered the most. Although third in rushing they were 9th in passing and 9th in total offence. They led the league in throwing interceptions, had the second most penalties, were ahead of only Saskatchewan in sacks allowed while recording the fewest. They had the worst punter in the league. They stunk in all three phases of the game.

During the off-season, the GM and coach, who bears complete responsibility for the team, recruited well. There may be light at the end of the tunnel not connected to a train.

Once they settled on a quarterback, they started to do better. Taylor Cornelius, 6’5″ 230 lbs from Oklahoma State, signed with the Elks in 2021, making his first CFL start after Trevor Harris who was traded to Montreal, against Winnipeg in game seven, a 37-32 loss. Edmonton finished dead last in the 14-game shortened season. Cornelius struggled with a West Division worst 70.8 efficiency rating, throwing 13 interceptions and only 9 TD passes. Last year Jones started with Nick Arbuckle, went on to Canadian Tre Forde and when the rookie got hurt had to play Cornelius, who in game six led the Elks to a 32-31 win at Montreal. He was 3-9 the rest of the way. In addition to getting married, the 27-year-old signed a contract extension for $400,000 during the off-season. Given his size and cannon for an arm, he could be a star in the league.

To assist him in attaining that goal, Jones went out and cobbled together an outstanding receiving corps from free agents. The Elks’ top pass catchers in 2022, ranking 13th and 15th, were Kenny Lawler and Derel Walker, and have since departed to other pastures. To replace them Jones signed Eugene Lewis from Montreal, Steve Dunbar from Hamilton and Roughrider Kyran Moore. They join veterans Dillon Mitchell, Raphael Leonard and Emmanuel Arceneaux. Lewis finished 3rd in league receiving with 91 catches for 1,303 yards and 10 TDs. He was the Eastern Division nominee for the Most Outstanding Player Award. Jones is paying him $320,000, making him the highest paid non-QB in the CFL. rookie Maurice Ffrench has impressed in the early going.

But recall that last year the Elks surrendered the second most sacks in the league. Having great receivers doesn’t mean much if you can’t protect the quarterback. Although not all sacks are the fault of the offensive line, most are. Keeping Cornelius upright is Job 1 for Martez Ivey, David Fouceault, Mark Korte, Tomas Jack-Kurdyla and Andrew Garnett. There will be three new starters on the line. Kai Locksley is listed as the back-up QB but Jarret Doege looked impressive in Monday’s pre-season game in Calgary. The 5’9″ Kevin Brown, who burst onto the scene in spectacular fashion last fall, is the running back. The Elks’ offence should score a lot of points.

Defensively, veteran A.C. Leonard, last year with Saskatchewan, will play end along with Matthew Thomas. All-star Jake Ceresna re-upped at tackle and will man the inside with J-Min Pelley. The linebacking group is solid with Adam Konar, Nyler Morgan and Enock Makono. The secondary is experienced with Aaron Grymes, Ed Gainey Scott Hutter, Louchez Pirifoy and Jamie Harry.

There is lots of competition for the kicking position. Thirty-six-year-old rookie Dean Faithful from Fareham, Hampshire, England impressed on Victoria Day.

Although officially, the Elks averaged 21,744 tickets sold per game last year, at times there were barely 10,000 fans in the stands. To increase attendance and concession revenue, the Elks are selling Guaranteed Win tickets, starting June 28 vs. Saskatchewan. You keep using the ticket until they win a game.

With a name change from mighty hunters to prey, the Edmonton football team has being going through a difficult transition period, losing close to $18 million dollars and a third of its fan base since 2019. The worst should be behind them now.

Graham Kelly has covered the CFL for the Medicine Hat News for 51 years. Feedback for this column can be emailed to sports@medicinehatnews.com.