Eskimos Face the Lions in a Must Win Situation
Published on July 29, 2010 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Edmonton Elks News Release
In what might be the most critically important regular season game in franchise history, the 0-4 Edmonton Eskimos host the BC Lions (1-3) Friday night (kickoff at 7pm) at Commonwealth Stadium. Jobs hang in the balance as the Esks attempt to avoid going 0-5 to start a season for the first time since 1965.
Last Saturday's 47-21 humbling in Winnipeg was the tipping point for club president Rick LeLacheur who, this past Monday, made it abundantly clear that he is fed up and will not hesitate to make changes to football operations if the Esks don't beat the Lions. LeLacheur told reporters that the Eskimos didn't appear to be tough enough, "physically or mentally".
The Winnipeg drubbing exposed glaring weaknesses on the O-line as Ricky Ray was sacked four times and was under siege for much of the night. Veteran Joe McGrath will sit out in favour of rookie Jeremy Parquet who will be counted on to bring some sorely needed nastiness to the group.
Defensively the biggest change will be the return of Canadian D-lineman Adam Braidwood who will play his first regular season game since October 26, 2007 when he suffered a knee injury. He's undergone two surgeries since in an attempt rebuild his knee and promising career. The first overall pick in the '06 CFL Draft saw limited time in the final pre-season game in BC and started the season on the practice roster.
Burned by fumbles, dropped passes, penalties and an inability to convert scoring drives into touchdowns, Edmonton has put itself into a real hole in the CFL West race. The saving grace is that BC is in only slightly better shape heading into Friday's game. Both are low scoring teams - BC has 75; Edmonton 74, but the Lions have just 87 points, second lowest in the CFL while Edmonton has given up 129, tied with the Saskatchewan for the league lead.
The Eskimos (0-4) host the Toronto Argonauts (3-1) on Friday, August 6. Kickoff is at 8:00pm.
Buy Eskimo tickets online at ticketmaster.ca or call 451-8000. For more information on the Edmonton Eskimo Football Club please visit our website at www.esks.com.
Canadian Football League Stories from July 29, 2010
- Tiger-Cats Propose Comprehensive Alternative West Harbour Vision - Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- Eskimos Face the Lions in a Must Win Situation - Edmonton Elks
- Professional Soccer and Amateur Soccer Academy In Hamilton One Step Closer - Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- Blue Bombers Release Linebacker Doggett - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
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