Dave Campbell
CFL.ca
When a team is leading their division and owns the best record in the Canadian Football League, you would think that team would be hesitant to make any changes.
If it’s not broke, then why fix it?
That’s not the case with the 2011 edition of the Edmonton Eskimos. Their latest move came as a surprise as the club released veteran running back Arkee Whitlock on Monday.
“I really believe that he’ll play some place very soon,” head coach Kavis Reed said. “For us, we have a very saturated backfield. Tough decision, very difficult decision but I think the coaches made a decision that we’re comfortable with.”
Reed also pointed out that Whitlock’s inability at times to protect the football factored into the decision but wasn’t the sole reason why he was released.
Last season, Whitlock broke his foot and had to wait almost 10 months to get back into the lineup.
He almost made the roster in the final game of the regular season but didn’t because of salary cap reasons. He came to training camp in shape and looked solid in the first week, however, a hamstring injury affected his comeback bid.
Two weeks ago against the Stampeders, Whitlock made his return. He amassed 92 rushing yards on 17 carries for a healthy 5.4 yard average in two games.
His downfall, however, was two drops in the game against the Stampeders and then two lost fumbles against the Toronto Argonauts, Reed had seen enough.
It’s funny what 10 months away can do for a person’s memory.
After a horrific CFL debut in Montreal during the 2009 season, Whitlock was probably next to quarterback Ricky Ray and slotback Fred Stamps as the most popular player on the team.
He rushed for 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns in his rookie season.
Before getting hurt last year, Whitlock put up 689 rushing yards, and was well on his way to another 1,000-yard rushing season. This season Whitlock was looked at as the fourth horse in a four-horse race at the running back position.
Quarterback Ricky Rays says it’s hard to lose a teammate during the season but it was inevitable that someone would eventually be moved.
“It’s just one of those situations where we have a lot of good backs on this football team. It’s hard to have everybody fit in and play when you have only have one guy who can play at one time. It’s just part of the business.”
Now the running back stable features the CFL’s fourth leading rusher in Jerome Messam (274 yards), Calvin McCarty, and import Daniel Porter who rushed for four-straight 100-yard plus rushing games at the end of last season.
Porter will now get the chance to reclaim the number one job he held last season.
After battling Whitlock since training camp for the number one tailback spot, he says it’s hard to see his locker room neighbor leave.
“Yeah it is, especially a guy like Arkee. He’s like my brother to me,” said Porter. “When I heard the news I was kind of shocked at the same time its business and we go on from there.”
Not many coaches would have the guts to make a major change when their team is undefeated. Reed is a very intense man and his message to his team is you’re 5-0 but you haven’t done anything yet.
Complacency seems a thing of the past in the land of the Green and Gold.
The Eskimos also released wide receiver Ray Fisher and defensive tackle Almondo Sewell. Fisher played in three games this season picking up 21 yards on two catches. Sewell recorded one defensive tackle in three games.
The team will stay in Winnipeg following their game Friday against the Blue Bombers. They’ll fly to Montreal next Tuesday and play the Alouettes next Thursday from Molson Stadium.
Edmonton will be on road for just over a week and Reed says he isn’t looking forward to it.
“Home has been good for us. The consistency of being at home and also travelling and the results that we’ve been able to produce so far,” Reed said.
“You’re cautiously optimistic that we can go on the road and have some success. Whenever you have a long road trip and guys are away from their routine, it can go the other way.”
Late last week, the Esks signed receiver Reggie McNeal, defensive back Brian Logan and defensive tackle Marcus Howard a former star at the University of Georgia.
