Dave Campbell
CFL.ca
When the Eskimos woke up on Monday morning and checked the CFL standings, they found themselves standing all alone atop the heap of the Canadian Football League.
Thanks to the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ win over the Montreal Alouettes on Sunday, the Eskimos became the only undefeated team left in the CFL. It’s the team’s best start to a season since 1986.
Their 24-19 win over the Calgary Stampeders gave the Eskimos a four point lead over their provincial rivals.
I think it’s safe to say that the Green and Gold are the surprise team of the 2011 season.
Based on last season’s performance, perhaps the Eskimos should be 2-2 but maybe more like 1-3.
Despite having a no-name defence and a new offence, they’re finding ways to the get the job done.
Head coach Kavis Reed says the players deserve all of the credit for the great start.
“It’s because of the guys that we have because of the players that we have,” said Reed.
“The players are playing smart football, they’re playing hard, and they’re rising to the occasion. When challenges come they don’t back down from it and they’re well prepared. It’s a simple thing; our players are doing a very good job,” he added.
At this point last season, the Eskimos were staring at a dismal 0-4 start right between the eyes.
President and CEO Rick LeLacheur held a news conference saying changes would be made if another loss occurred.
This season, the biggest controversy surrounding the team was a swarm of mosquitoes that ravaged the Eskimos two weeks ago, forcing them to move practice inside.
Edmonton’s first three margins of victory were by 14, 18, and 16 points. They beat a tough Stampeders team by a five point margin of victory.
The team’s widest lead of the game was 16 points until the Stampeders mounted a big fourth quarter comeback.
It was the first time in the young 2011 season that the Eskimos were forced to face any kind of adversity.
Centre Aaron Fiacconi says it was a good experience for the young team.
“It’s extremely important, you aren’t going to be in the front seat riding and winning the whole way,” explained Fiacconi.
“It’s good to see how we responded. We faced adversity in a stadium where we haven’t had a lot of success in. We didn’t get rattled in the third quarter when things started going their way. There was a moment in the huddle there where everyone just calmed down.”
The Eskimos have trailed for just a measly 90 seconds or so this entire season. Last year, the Esks scored just 62 points in the first quarter of the entire 2010 season. This year, however, the Eskimos have scored a league-leading 35 points in the opening frame which is a big reason why they’re winning games.
They have a lead and they know just what to do with it.
4-0 does not a season make; they don’t hand out the Grey Cup trophy at the end of July. Slotback Fred Stamps, the CFL’s leading receiver says a 4-0 start has produced a very good feeling in the locker room.
“Last year around this time, we’re 0-4 so it feels real good to know that we’re the only undefeated team and we got to keep fighting and stay hungry,”said Stamps. “You can’t sit there and feel like we’ve done anything because nobody still respects us.”
And that’s why this team perhaps stays so focused. They feel nobody looks at them as the real deal.
The feeling from the fan base seems to be satisfaction but few are ready to jump up and down yet with elation.
The remedy is to just keep winning and Reed feels his players won’t get caught up in reading their own press clippings.
“This team has been focused. It’s been a team that knows how to put a game to rest and move on to the next team and that’s the reason why they are 4-0.
Next up are the Toronto Argonauts on Friday night from Commonwealth Stadium. On the line, the team’s first 5-0 start since the 1980 season.
NOTES: The Eskimos will be without defensive end Greg Peach for the next four to six weeks with a torn meniscus in his knee. Peach injured the knee on Saturday in Calgary.
Newcomer Robert Henderson and Jermaine Reid will see time at defensive end on Friday. Slotback Adarius Bowman is out for at least two weeks with cracked ribs; Ray Fisher will draw into the receiving corps.
Andrew Nowacki remains out with a hamstring injury; Chris Bauman will make his way back into the lineup. Nose tackle Etienne Legare will return after missing the last two games with turf toe.
Peach was named the CFL’s Defensive Player of the Week after recording four tackles and two sacks vs. Calgary. Kicker Damon Duval is the Special Teams Player of the Week. Duval was successful on all three of his field goal attempts and registered an almost 48 yard punt average in the victory.
