5/12/2008 6:32:03 PM

Movin' and Shakin'

Receivers and Offensive Line;

Searching for the right mix is interesting work in all things, an offensive line and receiving corps are no exception. When you've got the best quarterback in the league like we do, and he's going to play for you for a number of years like Ricky is; it's definitely in your best interest to keep him on his feet; as well as give him some viable targets. This off season, that's exactly what the Eskimo brass was trying to do with the moves that they made.
Some may wonder what wisdom lies behind the draft day trade that sent local boy Dimitri Tsoumpas and all of his potential down the road to Calgary. It could certainly be argued that Tsoumpas has the potential to be a multiple all-star and a dominant big man for years to come. However, the ability for a team to be able wait on "potential " to manifest into "production", is a luxury that lies with teams that have had more success than we have of late. Wally Buono can afford to draft on potential because his team is successful and deep at multiple positions. This combination promotes teams like the Lions' draft days to be filled often times with futuristic eyes, due to the success of their current on field product. After the last two years' performance here in Edmonton, I can certainly understand the concept that brass went with in the first round of trying to obtain battle tested players to help a team win now.
Essentially we lost import Trey Darilek (guard, center) and Raleigh Roundtree (guard) to the NFL as well as cuts, and replaced them with two Stampeder linemen with a history of ill disposition. Import Garrick Jones is a seasoned vet of this league with a reputation as a devastating run blocker and somewhat of an on-field bully. Coach Maciocia has stated that it's a good bet that we'll play with one import on the o-line this year and Jones likely has the inside track on the left tackle spot; possibly moving Joe McGrath inside to guard. John Comiskey is a non-import center who would probably be considered mean enough as-is simply because of the name he carries on his jersey. But despite just being Dan's brother, John has a mean streak all his own, as evidenced by last year's fray with A.J. Gass. If I knew nothing else about these two players, the fact that the word "nasty" or "bully" comes up as the first words when defensive linemen are asked about them tells me more than enough. As I've said before, I'll take nasty over talented on the offensive line any day of the week. A line consisting of; Jones-McGrath-Comiskey-Comiskey-Kabongo with Fiaconni/Bakker or Filice backing up the interior and McGrath being able to slide out to tackle in a pinch would put many at ease in our efforts to make life easy on Ricky Ray. I count 6 in that bunch that have legitimately ill dispositions, and those that don't would at least now be surrounded by nastiness…which has a tendency to rub off.
As for Ricky's targets well, we've certainly made some changes there as well. The Trevor Gaylor experiment has ended in Edmonton with the two parting ways this off season. T.J. Acree is the other starter lost from this corps as he was included in the Ebell trade that brought Jordan Younger to Edmonton. It's no secret that I'm a big fan of T.J.'s game and initially I thought that his loss would hurt us a great deal because of his versatility. Then I got a long hard look at Fred Stamps; and now I think we'll be just fine. For those who aren't familiar with Fred, trust me…in a few short weeks you will be. After that, if you still don't know, you better ask somebody.
I can see Fred stepping in and replacing T.J.'s versatility, but there is still the matter of Gaylor's vertical threat to attend to. To address that matter, Eskimo fans should re-familiarize themselves with Brock Ralph. Brock comes back to Edmonton for a second tour of duty via Hamilton in a trade. I like this move because much like the Jason Maas deal does for Jason, it puts Brock in a good place emotionally and mentally. I know probably better than any how the mental static of playing in a place that's not conducive to your production can affect your play negatively. Coming back to Edmonton brings him closer to his Alberta roots, his family is here, his daughter can get the treatment that she needs at the Autism facility and Brock can settle in and not have to carry a team like he did in Hamilton. If the B.C. lions are what is supposed to be the gold standard for receiving corps in the West, then don't be shocked if Brock becomes our version of a Paris Jackson…just much, much faster. I spoke before about buzz-words, and when Brock's name comes up league wide, the first word out of DB's mouths is "FAST." That speed could come in handy controlling the safety and putting vertical stretches on deep secondary players along with myself, Tucker and Stamps.
I doubt that it will come easily for Ralph though. Andrew Nowacki played inspired, tough, consistent football for us last year and has his eyes fixed on a spot in that lineup. Where this gets interesting is that our versatility ratio wise on the offensive line could promote 3 imports in the starting receiving corps in a 4 receiver set. There are a host of imports coming in to challenge for that spot as well, which will certainly make for interesting camp battles. In addition, gone are the likes of Pat Woodcock, J.F. Romeo, and Mike Linsdstrom. Vying for their spots are Kevin Challenger who came in with Comiskey in the draft day trade and comes highly recommended from Boston College, and Dante Luciani our draft pick who put up impressive numbers collegiately as well.
While I'm sure I'm somewhat biased, I think that while our corps has some unproven commodities, it's genuinely one of the leagues strongest. Much depends on whether Ralph or Stamps or both will round out into 1000 yd receivers, but I do think that both have the potential to do so. I'll be watching the battle for the 4th spot on that corps tightly to see if Ralph, Nowacki, or Challenger can outshine Gibson, Prator, Mason, Jamison as te results of these inner battles can have a big impact on our team ratio. ©

Next up…Linebackers and Secondary.

Kp8